Frustrated when loading your film into the reel?

[jungsangchoe]

Who else has this feeling of frustration when you are trying to load your film into the reel inside the dark bag where you start to sweat, and your palms get wet?

i always have this... any tips from the experienced brothers and sisters here on how i can get better at this other than keep trying lol.

do feel free to share your frustrations with the reel and your film too.

id love to hear them.

nways the most recent one i did failed quite badly. less than half came out properly as i was too impatient and frustrated trying to get my film into the reel. sadly the shots that i wanted didnt show up...

 

[catchlights]

get a roll of film to be use for dummy roll for practices,
practice in the daylight without dark bag,
to simulate total darkness you just need to close your eyes,
once you able to load without pause,
try the do same thing in the dark bag,

one more tips,
it is nice to find a place with air con to load the film in the dark bag.

 

[Benji77]

My very first roll I did took me 30 painful minutes. That was without any prior practice. Now into my 30th roll, I take roughly 2mins from inserting my hands in.

You need to ensure that your reels are aligned. See the two triangle ends of the reel? You need them aligned so that both corners of your reel slide in simultaneously. Try!

 

[virtualme78]

Iike Benji, It took me a 20 minutes to load my first film. I was sweating like a pig even though I did the loading in my room with the aircon on.

Best way is to practise. Waste a roll of cheap film or better yet if you already have one.. practise with it as often as you can until you're familiar.

 

[Celebring]

To quote the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "Don't Panic!"

If frustrated, roll the film back into the canister and try again later. If no air-con, pick a less humid part of the day. I do mine while watching TV at night; serves as a distraction so I don't get too anxious.

I second the recommendation to try a dummy roll. I've had many problems putting 120 rolls on reels, but after a few dummy practices, I haven't had any problems since (fingers crossed).

 

[Scandiacus]

Practicing on a dummy roll is the best. First few try with your eyes open, then eyes close, then in the cramped conditions in the bag.

Also, I wash my hand with soap to remove oils and stuff, gives me a better grip too.

And don't rush, just take your time rocking the plastic reel or turning the steel reel. Keep a ear out for anything that sounds funny (crumpling, rustling, etc.)

If anything (or you feel) that something bad has happened, simply take out and try again.

Good luck!

 

[pikapig]

120 is the hardest to load...sigh...the normal plastic one is easy for 35mm, everytime can get it in easily...

120 i always dread halfway u feel it got stuck...thats de worse i ever experience...

 

[jfoo]

one trick i use is to use nail clippers to round the corners of the leading edge before inserting into the film reel. make sure the clippings are not left stuck on the film otherwise they may cause problems during developing.

another tip i can offer is that the film take up lead is quite long, about 4-5 inches on my F90 camera. i load in the first 2-inches on to the film reel before putting it in the dark bag and zipping it shut.

hope these two tips will make your film loading more enjoyable and more importantly, successful.

 

[future9398]

need to calm, cool , slow down, then only squeeze your hands into dark bag.

 

[wootsk]

Bro, I'm not to be spoiler. But you still got long ways to go if you are having problem loading 135 in dark. Wait till you find loading films on side of drum with some clip that never grips easily on the wall.

Some suggestion:

1. Don't place extra stuff inside the bag if you don't need them.
2. Position your stuff well inside the bag before beginning. It help as you load faster knowing where the stuff are when you place your hand inside. Placing the scissors inside the drum also helps in finding the scissors easier and you don't get accident cuts and scratch your film.
3. I held on to my rolls and slip my hand into the bag. Do this for single roll and save trouble finding.
4. When loading, you just need to cut off the film leader portion and feel the grove in the reel to make sure they are straight. I usually grip the film by the tip, slide it in and manual pull in some more before doing the twisting motion to load it. Doing all the above, I usually load my films in less than a minute.
4. GLHF

 

[jungsangchoe]

Hey guys, thanks for sharing your opinions and tips. i guess i really do need more practice. hmm

can i ask a few more qns?

1) how do you pop open the film canister with out a film picker?
i know tt i should not rewind my roll to the max but sometimes i just forget so it all goes in.

2) is it difficult to develop your own photos bnw? i wonder if anyone here could teach or show me how its being done.

 

[kgston]

1) how do you pop open the film canister with out a film picker?
i know tt i should not rewind my roll to the max but sometimes i just forget so it all goes in.

Use a bottle cap opener,and pry from the bottom..

2) is it difficult to develop your own photos bnw? i wonder if anyone here could teach or show me how its being done.

I'm sure there are many videos on YouTube

 

[Scandiacus]

Hey guys, thanks for sharing your opinions and tips. i guess i really do need more practice. hmm

can i ask a few more qns?

1) how do you pop open the film canister with out a film picker?
i know tt i should not rewind my roll to the max but sometimes i just forget so it all goes in.

2) is it difficult to develop your own photos bnw? i wonder if anyone here could teach or show me how its being done.

1. You can pull out a little bit of the film with a film picker while in the light. Or you can use a beer opener to open the canister while in the dark bag.

2. Not really. You can check out the sticky thread for pictures.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

1) i know tt i should not rewind my roll to the max but sometimes i just forget so it all goes in.

Then its time to stop forgetting.

 

[virtualme78]

Hahah.. its very true... leaving the film lead out help tons when it comes to loading the film to the reel but then again, **** happens. Just like I was at my last trip, was rewinding the film when I noticed some good looking french girls...

Then its time to stop forgetting.

 

[jfoo]

if you don't have a film picker, you can use a post it note to pull the leader out

 

[jungsangchoe]

if you don't have a film picker, you can use a post it note to pull the leader out

sorry post it note?

 

[oceanpriest]

sorry post it note?

 

[Scandiacus]

Or you can try this cheapo method

[youtube]Uc00ULY7cYU[/youtube]

 

[paapoopa]

Or you can try this cheapo method

[youtube]Uc00ULY7cYU[/youtube]

i tried this. and it works amazingly