Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have not been following this thread but after seeing so many posts, I feel compelled to contribute my left-brained experience on loading 35mm film: It matters not whether the reels come from Germany, Japan, England, or Libya provided that they be stainless steel reels. Some brands are stronger than others, but I have used them all and have no preference for one brand over an other. If you have problems loading stainless reels, follow these steps (initially in normal light with a practice roll) and you will become proficient in a very short time. 1.. Determine the coil direction and place the reel in one hand in such a way that when you start loading the film it will enter the coils correctly. 2.. Cut away the leader making the cut as square as possible ( I do this with my teeth) 3.. Hold the film in your primary hand. 4.. Squeeze the film ever so slightly so that it can be clipped or placed in the center of the reel making sure that the film is CENTERED in the reel. 5.. With the film firmly and lightly squeezed in the palm of your hand, place your thumb on one top side of the reel and the index on the other. This will insure that as you wind/insert the film into the coils, you will keep it aligned and prevent it from jumping/climbing over itself. 6.. After having wound 2-3 coils, test the load by pushing and pulling gently the film to and from the center of the reel. The film MUST move. If it does not it is wound too tightly. 7.. Continue winding and testing for looseness. The film must be LOOSE in the reel. 8.. At the end, cut the film from the spool, do a final looseness test and place the end of the film into the coil. At this point PUSH the film toward the center coil to insure that it will be the back of the film to be against the coils, not the emulsion. This will eliminate the undeveloped marks that obfuscate the frame numbers. The film is loosely wound when by pulling/pushing it makes a clear sound of moving within the coils. Once proficient, the entire process should take no more than 15-20 seconds. As you develop more and more film your own style will emerge and you will wonder why you were so apprehensive initially. If you are nervous about the first roll in the dark, pour yourself a Gin & Tonic or a Cuba Libre (or both) beforehand, swallow and go to it. Now, where did I leave my Tanqueray bottle? Joe - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html