Re: [Leica] OT: loading 120 film

["lea" <lea@whinydogpress.com>]

I second the use of stainless steel but was in your same mess when I started
loading 120 after years of 35mm. I thought it would be a no-brainer but
found that that 120 reels load BACKWARDS from the 35. Once I figured that
out, I was fine. But...I had some sweaty palms before the problem became
clear.


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Post" <dpost@triad.rr.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2001 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] OT: loading 120 film


> Pete-
> First- fix out the film and wash and dry it--- it can still be of use! If
> you didn't crumple it in frustration when you turned on the lights.
> then, get some GOOD stainless reels. These are the ones with thick wire in
> the spirals- less likely to jump since they are higher, and better all
> around since they provide a wider space between the turns of film.
> Then, go into the den with your 'blank film', sit under a good light and
> load the reel. It is almost certain that with the lights on, you will get
it
> the first time. Keep doing it, perhaps while watching television, or
> listening to some music. You fingers will 'learn' what a correct load will
> feel like.  If it buckles at fist, you will learn to feel it, and after a
> while, it will be as natural as getting into your car and starting it. I
> refused to get the Stainless Steel reels, years ago- about 35- and clunk
to
> my o;d "Yankee" tanks until it got too inconvenient to do film one roll at
a
> time. Once youlearn it's like riding a bike- you never forget, and it sure
> makes life a lot better!!
> If you what my opinion about 35mm reels- the Hewes that I bought were a
> great investment. The 'clip' that most reels use is a pain to use; with
the
> Hewes, and the little 'horns' it uses to engage the film are to me as a
> siginificant advancement as disk brakes!! Safe and sure!
> Good Luck- Loading film on a metal reel is just like sex and forgery---
> practice makes perfect! :o)
> Dan (Nimble and Quick) Post
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pete Su" <psu_13@yahoo.com>
> To: "leica" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2001 9:42 AM
> Subject: [Leica] OT: loading 120 film
>
>
> > For most of my time doing my own darkroom work, I've worked in 35mm with
> > plastic reels. I like them. They are easy to load since you can trim the
> film
> > leader with the lights on. They work.
> >
> > But, in the last year I've been branching out into 120, and I have a lot
> of
> > trouble loading. It's almost to the point where I'd rather just give the
> film
> > to someone else because handling it in the dark is just such a pain.
What
> I
> > find typically happens is that even if I get the film on the reel (which
> is
> > iffy) it inevitably buckles or jumps the spiral somewhere in the middle
> and I
> > have to start over. At some point, I do this enough to mangle a good
chunk
> of
> > the film.
> >
> > I've always avoided steel reels because they seem to require and extra
bit
> of
> > manual dexterity in the dark, which I don't have. But, I wanted to see
if
> > anyone had ever played with this Kindermann device for loading steel
> reels.
> > Does it work?
> >
> > Alternatively, without getting into a steel/plastic religous war, is
> loading SS
> > reels with 120 any easier? I'm starting to think it can't be any worse.
> >
> > This message is really just a pathetic cry for help after I turned the
> lights
> > on at the wrong time yesterday with 3 rolls of 120 in my tank, but the
> tank
> > open. Sigh.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Pete
> >
> >
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