How to roll a Black and White 36 ex. roll of film

[Railphotog]

Way back when I used film I used Patterson tanks that held three reels at one time. I loaded my own cassettes from bulk film and would sometimes get 40+ frames on a roll, but don't recall much trouble loading the reels. Practice makes perfect I guess.

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[addicted2glass]

I have to practice no doubt:
Bruce Lee (or one of the other Karate champs) In order to encourage an older karate student was explaining how it now took him a half hour to warm up until he was limber enough to kick above his head. When he was younger he did not need a warm up.
So even if it takes me a half hour practicing each time to get the film on the spool
I must understand If I don't try the film will never get on the spool by itself!

[David A Sercel]

Loading film is one of those things that you've got to do over, and over, and over before it goes smoothly. But it's like riding a bike, once you've got it, you've got it, it's just a matter of feel and finesse.

Honestly, I really hate the plastic setups. Part of it is because I learned with stainless steel reels and tanks, and just feel more comfortable with them (plus I love that nice clean sound the film makes as it slides into the metal rails!). Just don't get the cheap metal reels--if they're a little out of shape it's just a mountain of frustration. I still use metal for both 35mm and 120mm film, and don't even own any plastic reels.

[addicted2glass]

stainless steel?

I can get an idea what you mean about the feel compared to using plastic especially if I am going to be doing this in the dark.

[David A Sercel]

Yeah, I have owned the same set of stainless steel reels, and 1000ml and 500ml stainless steel tanks for years. The kind with the black rubber lids.