Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I got some excellent suggestions and advice in this thread but now that I have received my reels I'm unsure how to attach the film to the axis. There's a circular clip around the axis. The clip has a hole in it and a pin on the axis sticks through it to prevent the clip from rotating. There are also two stainless steel pins, which are extensions from the spirals.

Thanks for any insight.

Philip

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

One function of the pin on the side is to help you orient the reel in the dark. You stick the end of the film under the clip. Hold the film by the edge between thumb and index finger and press it slightly to make it narrow and fit inside the reel. Hold the reel in the other hand and rotate it so that it takes up the film as the latter slides in from between your fingers. It will wrap into a tidy spiral as you go. If you practice a few times in daylight you quickly get the nack of it. Please apologize if I have been stating the obvious...

Link to post
Share on other sites

A bit hard to see in that picture, but it looks like the clips have a "C" cross section, with a gap?

 

If so, then the film tip should slide under one tip of the C - whichever one is oriented to feed naturally into the metal spirals.

 

My approach (right-handed) is to hold the reel in my left hand, with the clip opening facing me, and film in the right hand, emulsion down to face the clip, thumb and second finger on the film edges, with my index finger along the back of the film.

 

My right index finger can then feel the film and clip as they meet, and press the film under the edge of the C. It also keeps literally "in touch" with the film throughout the loading process, as I turn the reel in my left hand to spool the film on, sensing for crimps, kinks or buckles, which are the biggest danger with steel spools.

 

If the film tries to skip a layer of the spiral, the resulting bend can lead to film touching film (undeveloped areas) or to mechanical fogging of the film (visible permanent black marks in the shape of the kink). My finger along the back very quickly senses such incipient kinks as a change in the film curve/tension, so that I can stop, back up an inch or so, and get the film "back on the rails."

 

As mentioned, practicing with a scrap roll in daylight, first with eyes open to see how it works, and then with eyes shut to practice the "feel", is the best way to learn.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep. Practice with a scrap roll, or if you don't have one, it is well worth the $4.39 to blow a good roll to get comfortable with it. You'll be surprised how quickly you become accustomed to it.

 

I think this came from a LUF member and might be helpful. http://prosophos.com/2012/06/06/how-i-process-bw-film-part-3-of-3/

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you very much for the quick and informative replies!

 

Andy, yes it is a C shaped clip. Below is perhaps a better image where I have tried to attach and orient the film to enable proper feeding. When i tried to roll the film onto the spiral i was surprised how easy it was in daylight. I will practise and practise.

 

KD, thanks also for the link to Peter's site. He's got some very good info there.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited by philipus
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...