I've begun using a "scrap booking" tool to trim the sharp corners off the film before threading it onto the reels. I helps quite a bit, almost as much as keeping the reels squeaky clean!
The tool is called a corner trimmer. I can use it in the dark easily. I actually got it to ease the neg's way into the storage sleeves and later got struck by the thunderbolt. I'm new to the list, eagerly awaiting delivery of a P645 kit (body, 120mm, 75mm, 120 insert and 220 insert). (Traded an M6 body for it....whew) So, I look forward to stories, tips, bragging, photos, stories, equipment discussion, stories and some stories. Best, Jeff, Sparta, NJ --- Don Sanderson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Since I've been giving all kinds advice I thought > I better try some of it out myself. > > **Loading spiral reels IS NOT like riding a bike.** > > You do forget how! > Of course I didn't really give myself an easy task, > I dug out a roll of film that was about a gazillion > years old. > (REALLY nice and curly!) > Got out the only 35mm reel I have, an old Kinderman > thing, > and off I went! > Eyes closed, feel it out, trim, pop the cap and > load. > Got it! (After only about 50 tries) :-( > Maybe I should get some training wheels. > (Good ole' self loading reel.) > Nah! I'm tough, I can handle it! > > Anyhow, for those of you wondering if there is a > "knack" > the answer is still NOPE! > Just practice and good film/equipment. > I've loaded about 1000 rolls and I am having to > start > over. Kinda cool really, like a whole new hobby. ;-) > > BTW: Shel, I have done it without opening the > cassette, > works fine for me except I have trouble cutting the > film at the cassette without getting some of the > tape > at the end in the soup. > > Mini Lab processed C41 B+W? > We don't need no steenkin' Mini Lab processed C41 > B+W!!! > <vbg> > > Don > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Shel Belinkoff > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 2:45 PM > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subject: Re: Loading Jobo spirals > > > > > > I don't even take the film from the cassette. The > leader is > > pulled out and > > trimmed in the light and loading is started, at > which point the light's > > turned off, and, after an appropriate interval, > the film is > > loaded onto the > > reel as it unspools from the cassette. I'm not > sure if this is a good > > technique or not, but it's saved my butt a few > times when there's been a > > jam on the reel and the only solution was to back > the film out part or all > > the way. > > > > BTW, JObo makes some beautiful stainless reels > that are designed to fit in > > their hand developing tanks. They're made by > Hewes and have a > > set of hooks > > at the core that grab the first sprocket holes of > the film. > > These are real > > beauties, very well built. Never had a problem > with them. They're a bit > > spendy, so I don't have too many .... > > > > Shel > > > > > > > [Original Message] > > > From: Steve Jolly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > Don Sanderson wrote: > > > > IIRC I did used to cut the leader slightly > rounded, > > > > that seemed to help getting it started. > > > > Cut before I opened the cassette, of course. > > > > > > Is there an advantage to cutting it before > opening the cassette? I > > > always do it afterwards... :-) > > > > > > S > > > > > > ===== Jeffrey Metzger Independent Sales Agent for AFLAC Cell: 201 317-1655
