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I'm almost embarassed to ask.. (film reel loading)


Stephen.s1

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After not processing my own negs since the early '70s. I'm having a problem loading 35mm film...

 

There've been 2 or 3 contact spots, on each roll I've loaded, where the developer et al has not penetrated. ie; the film is clinging to the previous wind on the reel. No matter how careful I am...

 

The reels are SS (not Hewes), and the film was properly centered on the clip. The problems seem to develop (no pun) somewhere after the middle of the film strip.

 

I've never had this trouble before with 35mm or 120 size film.

 

All hints welcome!

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Hello Stephen,

 

I know this problem. It seems to happen predominantly when the first bit of film is not exactly centered in the SS spirals. Being REALLY careful to first center the film in between the sides, and secondly being REALLY careful while winding the film in helps. Some colleagues of the German forum swear on those mechanical loading devices (other colleagues of the German forum say it scratches the films). Hewes seem to be a bit easier to handle than Kinderman.

 

Regards, C.

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Stephen,

 

The best way to determine if the film is properly loaded on your SS reel is to briefly switch on the light in the darkroom and do a visual check. If all's well, switch the light off again and proceed with the developing......;)

 

Seriously though, as you probably know, the film must be 'kinked' on the reel during the developing and fixing process. The kink is causing the film to touch, thus preventing the developer and fixer from getting to it.

 

I would take a roll of old undeveloped film and practice the loading procedure in daylight, maybe you'll find out where the problem is and will be able to eliminate it in the dark.

 

All the best,

 

Jan

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I would take a roll of old undeveloped film and practice the loading procedure in daylight, maybe you'll find out where the problem is and will be able to eliminate it in the dark.

 

That's the best way to learn. Just do it over and over again until you get it right.

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Practice and observe the results!

I started in the late 1960's using Nikkor reels and tanks. When I got the hang of it, no problems. Some newspapers back then did the developing for the photographers and some had the photographers do there own. i worked for both types, so I HAD to learn to do it correctly.-Dick

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Once your film is loaded onto the reel, run your thumb and pointer finger around the outside of the reel, starting from the center. You will feel the edges of the film as you do this, and if there is film touching or out of it's track, you will feel that irregularity.

Practice, practice, practice!!!

 

Good luck,

Jeff

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