Getting T-Max onto the spool.

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Is it just me, or is this film more difficult to get onto the spool than the likes of Ilford? Every time I try, it twists or pops out of the feeders. I do HP5 or FP4 without a problem but this one is a nightmare. Am I doing something wrong? This last roll ended up with a few creases on it as a result but nothing too serious. One previous roll I had to bin as it just wouldn't go on at all!!

This is 120 film by the way. :)
 
I never have problems with T-Max (400?) compared to any other emulsions. I always snip two triangles out of the leading edge so it looks a bit like an arrow - seems to help loading all films a bit!
 
Hmmmm. It just seems more difficult. I've done 3 rolls now. One wouldn't go on. One my developer had gone off so didn't matter. Then the third today. Every one has been a nightmare to feed on properly.

As I say, I've done quite a few rolls of Ilford which seems to fly on, no problems at all.

FWIW, I really like the look of the T-Max. Contrasty and lovely.
 
In general, I feel no significant difference between Ilford, Kodak and Fuji when loading. Cheap film is almost always more difficult, especially in medium format guise.

It's a superb film. Easily pushed as well, and the medium format T-Max has very tightly controlled grain at box speed.
 
Yeah - I like T-max.

Just maybe it's coincidence. I've had days when I can't get the effin film onto the effin spool.

Maybe those days have coincided with your use of T-Max?

Just a thought.
 
simon ess said:
Yeah - I like T-max.

Just maybe it's coincidence. I've had days when I can't get the effin film onto the effin spool.

Maybe those days have coincided with your use of T-Max?

Just a thought.
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It is possible I guess. Bloomin annoying though!!

But worth persevering with because I do like the look of it. Posted a photo from it on the sharing section.
 
I'll take a look.

I've only been using film for about 3 years - so a newbie.

My thoughts are - T-Max for contrasty punch, Tri-X for tonal loveliness.

I use T-Max most though.
 
It's certainly been very humid over the last few days, which does make spooling film about ten times harder.
 
freecom2 said:
In general, I feel no significant difference between Ilford, Kodak and Fuji when loading. Cheap film is almost always more difficult, especially in medium format guise.
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My experience has been the same as freecom2.

Two things that can help with any film are:

Warm the spool on a radiator before use

With 120, take the film off the backing paper entirely before loading and start loading with the end that has the tape on. You have to fold the tape over the film first.
 
Kevin Allan said:
With 120, take the film off the backing paper entirely before loading and start loading with the end that has the tape on. You have to fold the tape over the film first.
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simon ess said:
I shall try that that. I carefully tear the tape off.
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I do the complete reverse - once I peel off the tape on that side, I completely reverse the film so I load from the other end (after I have cut corners in the leading edge). I find loading from the other end tends to be more successful for some reason.

It goes to show that you have to experiment and see what works for you, your operating environment (I use a changing bag), your equipment (I use wide flange Samigon reels) and the film you are loading.
 
I also haven't found T-Max 120 to be a problem. I do the same as Kevin and fold over the tape and load it taped end first. If I remember to put some scissors in the changing tent I will also snip off the corners of the leading edge.
 
Oh well, must be me then. :lol:

I am off out to shoot a couple of rolls of FP4 today so will see how I get on with that later on.
 
Well I'll just chuck my 120 method in since it seems to be different to everybody else's...lol, there's no wrong or right way, whichever works for you is the right way.
I dunno about humidity but damp reels say from a soup you did 5 minutes ago are really asking for trouble, I've melted a few reels trying to bone dry the damn things before loading up again.
I don't leave the tape on, chemical/tape glue contamination ocd takes care of that...lol, its pretty sticky and I feel I may kink the film trying to remove it so I cut it off, then just clip the corners and feed it on to the reel.
I figure that taped end was the tightest wound when last on the spool, and thus starting with it ensures it will end up on the tighter turns in the spiral.
Still get my fair share of pain in the arse film though, tried some fomapan 100 the other week and it was a right pig in a poke to get on, its just so thin and cheapo compared with ilford, aaaand it was under by 2 stops, won't bother with that again. :)
 
Well, last night I came home with 2 rolls of FP-4. Completley ruined one. I think it was because the spool was, as you say above, a little damp. Obviously a mistake I won't make again. Second one, no problems at all. :bang: ...Except probably 9 or the 12 shots were largely OOF. :bang:
 
The thing about these posts that completely alarms me is the way folk casually say something like "Completely ruined one." No pictures from a whole film??? Why isn't there an "aaaaarrrrggggghhhh" scream echoing round the post? :runaway:
 
ChrisR said:
The thing about these posts that completely alarms me is the way folk casually say something like "Completely ruined one." No pictures from a whole film??? Why isn't there an "aaaaarrrrggggghhhh" scream echoing round the post? :runaway:
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Trust me, it's a good job I live on my own when I realised it was ruined. It's so frustrating. And most of the one that developed really well, was largely OOF. Which I don't understand as I am sure they looked in focus through the viewfinder. Hopefully operator error. :bang:
 
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