First time BW developing woes, HELP please.

[Michael-IIIf]

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Shiruko,

 

Nice shots indeed. You are off to a good start in the world of home cooking.

 

What I find works for me is:

 

(1) Stop rewinding before the film disappears into the canister. This is easy to feel from the tension on the rewind lever - and the noise.

(2) Trim the leader square with a pair of scissors, trying to cut between the perforations rather than through them because this gives an uncluttered leading edge less likely to jam.

(3) Find all the tank bits (Paterson) and lay them out in my bathroom (still haven't got around to buying a changing bag).

(4) Ensure the spool is 100% dry from last use. This is essential, any humidity will cause the film to jam.

(5) Place the leading edge into the spool.

(6) Switch off light.

(7) Load spool.

(8) Tear off the canister from the end of the film.

(9) Put the spool into the tank and close.

 

This really is quick when you get a bit of practise.

 

Which makes me remember all those cries of pain and anguish coming from my college classmates as a dozen of us tried to do this for the first time in total darkness

 

Michael

[christer]

Shiruko,

 

(still haven't got around to buying a changing bag).

 

Michael

 

if and when you get aroundd to buying a changing bag, make sure you get a generous size one - unless you use the smallest size Paterson tank.

 

chris