How do you roll film on a reel?

Question

I'm in photoscience & I'm having big problems rolling undeveloped film on those reels. Can anyone tell me how to actually do it so it won't mess up?

Answer 1

35mm film:
Plastic reel that has ball bearings and loads film from the outside almost automatically with a twisting of the two sides. Highly recommended.

Detailed Instructions:
In the daylight, retrieve the film leader and a few inches of film from the canister. Cut the leader off between sprocket holes. Cut the two front corners, very little, so they are diagonal. Insert this end into the film reel past the ball bearings. (the canister is still attached)
Now go in the dark.
With the canister facing you and the reel held vertically, pull the canister down a bit and wind the film into the reel until the canister touches your fingers. Repeat pulling the canister down 10-12 inches and winding. Do this until you reach the end of the film. Cut the film off, wind the rest of the way on the reel and put in the tank and cover.
Done.
Tanks load easier if completely dry.

By the way - where is your instructor? He should be showing you all this.


120 or roll film
Stainless Steel reel. Has a clip in the center that you attach your film to and then loads from the inside out. As Dr. Sam says, use a speed loader to get the proper curl so the film loads correctly.

You can also use ss for 35mm with a speed loader, but plastic is so much easier. I've done thousands of rolls in my plastic reels and tanks.

Answer 2

There are two general styles of developing tanks on the market for roll film. First is the plastic type which is by far easier to use than the metal reels, at least for beginners. So which one do you have because there is a slight difference in how you get the film to wrap around the grooves of the reel?
Anyway I will make the assumption that you have a plastic reel since they seem to be more popular.
To start, spool the film onto the film reel. While not touching the surface of the negative, slide the negative into the opening of the reel. Slide about 4 inches of film into the reel. Start walking the film onto the reel by twisting one side of the reel back and forth. To be clear on this, keep your left hand steady, and with your right hand twist the right side of the reel forward, then bring it back. Continue doing this until all the film is loaded onto the reel

Answer 3

The trick is to get just the right amount of "bow" across the film. The easiest way to do this is to use a gadget called a "Speed Loader" that curves the film for you. It snaps onto the center of the spool and once you have it in place, you just rotate it around the reel until it has fed all of the film into place.

I can't find one at B&H, but here is an eBay auction (for illustration only - I have no idea who is selling this) that shows something similar. It's just a curved piece of metal that gets the film curve just right for you.

Answer 4

If I remember correctly, get the film started on the roll w/ a good lead and just crank it around the reel. Use the end w/ the least amount of exposure on it to get a good lead in going before you start and that should help. I hated developing the film, but I loved the darkroom.