No pictures on film?!?! Big WTF?

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

Now it takes me less than 5 minutes to load two reels of medium format film (which I find far more difficult than 35mm as it tends to want to curl up on itself before it gets into the tracks on the reel).

SHhhhhhhhh, I have a super secret tip for you.

Promise not to tell anyone????

OK.

On 120, pull all the paper off and let the film roll back on its self.

Now you will be leading with the end that had tape on it.

It is stiffer and feeds easier.

Now clip the corners just a hair.



Remember your promise and don't tell anyone.

[Anthony Martinez]

Hrm, I may give that a shot, but as it is it's pretty quick. Most of the time is spent blacking the closet out.

[Valerie]

YouTube - Loading 35mm B&W film onto a developing reel

[wclavey]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

SHhhhhhhhh, I have a super secret tip for you.

Promise not to tell anyone????

OK.

On 120, pull all the paper off and let the film roll back on its self.

Now you will be leading with the end that had tape on it.

It is stiffer and feeds easier.

Now clip the corners just a hair.



Remember your promise and don't tell anyone.

Hey, that's my secret!!! LOL!

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by wclavey

Hey, that's my secret!!! LOL!

Thief!!!!

Quit telling people.

[The Philos]

My secret is using stainless steel reels.

[wclavey]

Actually, I use stainless reels, Jobo reels or Paterson reels... but I always unwind it to the end and lead the loading with the tape end... on stainless reels, it sticks better under the metal clip with less dimpling of the film base... and like Kevin says, it loads easier onto the plastic reels that way - - especially if you clip the corners.

[KJ Smith]

SS is way easier. But I am to cheap to buy them for the Jobo.

[contributor_M]

Looked at my film, and yeah, it's still in tact. Looks like after the photo clerk realised that I couldn't be developed, they just left the reel as it is.

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

Hrm, I may give that a shot, but as it is it's pretty quick. Most of the time is spent blacking the closet out.

Got a black sweatshirt? Since you're effectively blind in there anyway, reaching in the sleeves and using the body of the shirt as a changing bag gives plenty of light attenuation in any room it's too dark to see in.

Also, for the dead simplest (as in hardest to screw up) developing method, try stand developing with any of the Rodinal replacements. I use R09 One-Shot with good results. No worrying about dev times or how often to agitate; just pour in the developer, agitate enough to clear air bubbles, and walk away. When you come back, dump, use stop bath if you want, (though stand developing pretty much depends on depleting the dev solution anyway) fix and wash. Google "stand developing rodinal" for details. It's not perfect for every situation, but it's a good all-purpose low-maintenance method.

[wclavey]

If you decide you like developing your own film, spending some money on a large changing bag or a changing tent is a good investment. there is a whole range of prices and styles, but I would avoid the small ones - - they are fine in an emergency, but a roll of 36 exposure 35mm film or of 220 film is just too much for the size of the bag. But when I travel with film cameras, I always have a small one in one of the backpack pockets in case I need to open the camera in the field - - that's probably the best use of the small ones. Again, if you decide you want some help from me on developing I can show you some options...