Tips/advice needed - loading developing spiral

[Bone_Idle]

I have bought a developing tank and spiral and have been practicing with an old film but find it quite hard to get the film started on the spiral. It was tricky with my eyes open, but not I shot my eyes it's a real faff!

I trip the end as advised, but after that I seem to rwally struggle to get it started. Once it's on though it is ok.

Any tips to make this easier?

[SUNSHINE]

Always make sure the spiral is absolutly dry. Some films do seem to load easier than others on certain spirals. I always make sure I have more than one spiral to hand when loading a film, if it won't load on one, chances are it will go straight onto another one

[Malcolm_Stewart]

I have bought a developing tank and spiral and have been practicing with an old film but find it quite hard to get the film started on the spiral. It was tricky with my eyes open, but not I shot my eyes it's a real faff!

I trip the end as advised, but after that I seem to rwally struggle to get it started. Once it's on though it is ok.

Any tips to make this easier?

More practice with your eyes closed, and then in a dark room.
Do try to work in an area which is dry, and clear of clutter apart from your developing tank, lid & spiral. Perhaps have these on a clean edged tray so that they don't roll off on to the floor. The more relaxed you are that you can recover from a simple disaster such as loosing the tank lid, the easier it will become.

Even after doing it for many decades, it's still magical to literally see what has developed!

[Bone_Idle]

Thanks, I have two spirals but will probably only develop one film at a time.

The film I'm practicing with was reverse wound onto the take up spool of a camera I bought on Ebay, so it's curving the wrong way, I suspect this isn't helping too much.

I'm intending to use a changing bag as I don't have a fully dark room just yet, so I hope that this will keep everything contained (without it getting in the way).

[Intermanaut]

Using the Paterson system (with the auto-advance reel thingy) I found it quite easy. I do, however, keep my eyes closed even when loading a film in a changing bag. Is that weird?

[Bone_Idle]

A couple of other questions...

Do I have the celuloid side of the film facing in or out? Or doesn't it matter?

Do all spirals need the end trimming or is it just the Paterson ones? I have an AP spiral and an old Paterson and they look fairly similar.

[Intermanaut]

Trimming makes it easier to load, and reduces the chance that the film leader will rest on the negative.

I doubt it matters which way the film lies on the real, but it's easier to load if you let the curve follow the reel.

[Bone_Idle]

I think that's the problem with my practice reel, as it's been round the wrong way in an Olympus OM10 for too long and so has a bit of a kink.

Think I'll just fire through the film in my camera this weekend and give it a go. Don't really want to use a film with any valuable shots on it until I get some practice in.

[beejaybee]

Trimming makes it easier to load, and reduces the chance that the film leader will rest on the negative.

I doubt it matters which way the film lies on the real, but it's easier to load if you let the curve follow the reel.

^^^ WHS ^^^

I find with the Paterson reels (no experience with others) it helps if you physically pull the film in about halfway round the outer groove, it's much more likely that the ratchet action will load the rest of the film cleanly even it it has adopted an odd curvature.

[Rhys]

You can also give the spools a blast from a hair-dryer to make sure they are dry but wait for them to cool before using them.

I always found the last few inches were the worst to wind on but don't force it.

[Benchista]

You can also give the spools a blast from a hair-dryer to make sure they are dry but wait for them to cool before using them.

Better yet, use them still warm (not hot).

[Wheelu]

I think that's the problem with my practice reel, as it's been round the wrong way in an Olympus OM10 for too long and so has a bit of a kink.

If the film has been in the camera a long time it pays to rewind it into the cassette and leave it for few days so that it takes up the correct curvature. The last few inches (blank) will probably still curl the wrong way and, as has been suggested, it's a good idea to trim quite a bit off with scissors.

If all else fails you can load a reel under water, it acts as a lubricant. I have only had to do this once, but it did work!

[OLDFELLA]

If 35mm film gives you trouble then wait till you try MF film.

[AntSmith]

A couple of other pointers...

1. Before turning the lights out make sure the spiral is aligned so the entry points (ball bearings)line up!

2. The Patterson spirals twist&pull to extend & take medium format - this means they can be poorly spaced / slack when worn

3. The film really does need trimming - but if you avoid totally rewinding it into the casette you can do that in the light - means you cant leave the film hanging around as you might mistake it for an unused one!

4. When winding do so with your palms keeping your fingers extended, dont grip the edges of the spiral with your fingertips - this keeps fingertips away from the film.

5. If processing 1 film in a tank that can take 2 35mm spirals put both spirals in the tank, even though (the top) one is empty - that way you know the spiral is all the way at the bottom and will be fully submerged.

And certainly makes sure the spiral is dry!!

Stick with it and try to have fun

;^D