PITA Loading Film onto Spool

[martinsmith99]

I spent almost an hour trying to load some Ilford FP4+ 125 film onto the spool for developing. I'd practiced many times with an old roll of Fuji colour fim and found it a breeze. The Ilford film is so flimsy and kept getting jammed or just not taking up.

Anyone else found this?

I'm going to try blacking out a window next time so I don't have to use a fiddly changing bag.

[hexi]

I also had some issues loading film, i manage to keep the tip of the film out while rewinding it, so i cut the edges in light conditions. Then it goes under the sheets/ bathroom. It might be the best solution.

The changing bag is a bad one for me, too few space. i sold mine

[F16SUNSHINE]

Use aprons guys.

Here is a video (kitsche retro styled) on how to.

Get them on ebay or new from freestyle etc...

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7_TDLaufDw

[Farside]

Some reels are a pita to load yet others find the same make a breeze - ymmv.
Years ago and recently, I've never had trouble with Paterson reels, but I always make sure they're bone dry and clip the leading corners of the film. From what I see of the Jobo reels I have, the same procedure should work ok.

ps. Get the biggest changing bag you can find, it makes a helluva difference. Also, if working seated at a bench, you might find it helpful to put a cardboard box inside the bag to hold it wide open and up.

[Seele]

[martinsmith99]

[martinsmith99]

GRRRRR

3 rolls have all gone the same way. And I'm still unable to find a 35mm apron.

[Seele]

Martin,

I assumed you use Paterson? Perhaps you should give Jobo 1500 series a shot.

[martinsmith99]

[hexi]

I lately used only Foma 100. The film rolls up like a snake, but i manage to put it into the reel without major problems. The film goes fine but tends to block at the end, so i go slowly. Paterson reel

[martinsmith99]

Worst case scenario, I stop using Ilford films.

I intend to experiment a bit with different films. I must admit, the Ilford FP4 has more grain than I expected.

[Seele]

Martin,

[martinsmith99]

The last roll was Ilford Delta and I've found this pretty grainy. I think FP4 is actually better. In some shots the grain is good, but any landscape shot is not so clever.

Here's a recent crop from a shot with FP4 and Ilfosol 3 (I think I ran it through noise ninja too) :



Taken from:

[peterqd]

Martin, there's an apron for sale on Ebay right now, finishes tomorrow, it looks like 135 size but I'm not sure. I think you could get one cheaper if you're patient.
Click here to see on Ebay

I got mine by buying a complete Kodacraft tank. Most of these are on sale in USA, like this one:
Click here to see on Ebay

[peterqd]

It's strange - I don't have any problems at all with Ilford films and the Paterson spool. I tried to explain in words how I do it, but it's much easier to show you a picture. I hope this helps.

[Seele]

Martin,

Although the digitizing process loses a lot of raw information, I think it might be a case of reticulation, even though it might be somewhat unlikely: make sure each subsequent solution is within 5˚C of the previous one.

Another thought: the eyes pick up the finest details, the parts of the building with lots of details do not seem grainy, but the sky area with a pretty much uniform tone will indeed show grain.

[martinsmith99]

Thanks - All the solutions are kept at 20'C. Sometimes the shots on the same roll are very low grain, sometimes not, so maybe it's scanner noise I'm seeing.

[gcrimmins]

I've never used Ilford film so I can't offer suggestions about it. But I have found the easiest reels to load are the stainless steel one from Hewes. I think they're made in the UK. Expensive in the US, but worth it.

--Geoff

[zewrak]

[martinsmith99]

I use Epson software and everything turned off. The only adjustment I make when scanning is to adjust the levels. For some reason the scanner software clips the whites and blacks by default.

[martinsmith99]

Thanks Peter - Getting the film started isn't too much of a problem. It either stops taking up almost straight away or jumps off the spiral at about mid-point.

I have another changing bag coming and I also have another tank whichj I bought a while ago so maybe this will cure the problem.

I missed out on that apron but I think the seller has more as another has cropped up which I'm hoping to snatch. I did contact Freestyle and they no longer stock the 35mm apron. I take it that the aprons fit into a Paterson tank?

I always leave the film out slightly when taking it from the camera and leave the cartridge on when I'm feeding it in. Is it better to remove the film from the cartidge completely before attempting to load it?

[Seele]

Martin,

[hexi]

I never had problems with Ilford films especially the fp4, to be honest whatever the film i fought at times to load in into reel, now i've found the good method its over film is loaded in one go, slowly.

The tip of the film is kept outside, then a nice clean cut on the edges seems to be important in order of a proper ttip load which is more than half of the job. I also unroll entirely the film from the cassette, then the loading is very easy, if the film resists stop and pull it gently in place. Paterson reel.

As for the fp4 and grain its an agitation issue, i also had this trouble in the beginning of lab work, heres one pic from my debuts.

FP4 @ 125 Tetenal ultrafin & Olympus OM2, agitation method was "ilford". i've now switched to the "agfa" one and i have more regular results, i don't shake anymore i use the tool to mix the whole. Worx fine

[peterqd]

[Seele]