loading films in a dark bag

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I use a rather oversized dark bag for comfortable loading films into reels, but humidity buildup inside the bag is a real problem in this season. How do people manage this problem?

When I process 35mm, it's not a problem because 35mm film is small and I use SS reels anyway. However, I prefer Paterson plastic reel for 120/220 processing, and these reels (especially newer white soft plastic ones) are so picky that even a bit of humidity certainly makes things difficult, and may sometimes jam the film.

It seems to me that HP5+ is easier to get stuck in the middle of loading compared to TMX. Is this consistent with what other people observed? (I found a little trick - before things get jammed, wait for a few seconds (be stationary) and slowly resume winding the film.)

-- Ryuji Suzuki (rsuzuki@rs.cncdsl.com), July 02, 2001

Answers

That's why I use SS reels exclusively.;^)
A little silicone furniture polish on the grooves of those plastic reels will make the film whizz in a lot easier.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), July 02, 2001.

Ryuji,

I have found that sometimes with 36 exposure rolls, I will get a little bit of drag when I get to the middle or end of the roll. I think this is contributed to me forcing the film through the reels from the end (vs. SS reels you wind along). Where are you making the initial cut along the sprocket holes? Are there any jagged edges or sprocket holes? I could see where that might bind your film in the spool.

-- Johnny Motown (johnny.motown@att.net), July 02, 2001.


I use a pop up changing bag made by PhotoFlex called a Changing Room. It has sufficient volume inside that my arms and hands don't perspire even when, as occurred last time I used it, I had enormous trouble with a new reel and took a LONG time to get the film loaded.

-- Don Karon (kc6d@arrl.net), July 04, 2001.

I've had the same problem with paterson reels on 120 and have found two solutions. First is to cut a radius on each of the two corners of the beginning of the film which prevents the leading edges from getting caught on the "spokes" of the reel. The second is to remove the two steel balls with a pair of needle nose pliers from the outside. This defeats the so called auto loading feature which means that you need to feed the film as you rachet by using your thumbs. In 100+ rolls of film I have yet to see any marks from using my thumbs.

I've damaged no film and had no loading problems since I made these changes.

Best

mike

-- Michael Waters (watgo@aol.com), July 12, 2001.


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