How to EASILY load 35mm film onto a Paterson developing tank spiral

In this video I will show you how to easily load 35mm film onto a Paterson developing tank spiral.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below and I will do my best to answer them.
In the next video I will show you how to load 120 film.
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[@ChristopherJohnBall]

I hope this video helps to make loading 35mm film onto a Paterson spiral a little easier for those who are coming to home developing for the first time. I will soon be putting up a video showing how to load 120 film.

[@brunoclaren1110]

Great video . Thanks alot . But how to unload a 35 mm film from the Paterson developing tank spiral in a proper way ? I don't find this on ytube

[@ChristopherJohnBall]

Hi Bruno, many thanks. I shall look to making a video on that very topic. thanks for the suggestion.

[@kierancarter3693]

Why hasn’t anyone made a quick load tool like a 3d printed guide

[@Hassebas88]

it does not get much easier than this.. no need for an extra tool

[@horst6210]

So I already loaded a few rolls onto a peterson spiral without problems, but for my last 3 rolls I rolled it up like the usual, but at the last ~30cm they got stuck. It's really hard to turn them and the film bends inwards, touching other film. Which left some marks where the chemicals couldn't reach the film. Both of my spirals are rather new and show no deformation. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks in advance!

[@ChristopherJohnBall]

Hi Horst, many thanks for your question. This does happen to all of us, at some time or another. So don't knock yourself out. It happens to us all. Are you loading shop bought 35mm film or have you loaded your own? If the film length is a bit on the long side, from loading the film ourselves, this can happen. But the usual reason is that the spiral might not have been fully dry. Sometimes a spiral will have a few droplets of moisture on and this can cause friction and stop the film advancing. I always take a few more spirals into the darkroom just in case. Sometimes the film, even with the spiral is totally dry, may buckle a bit due to a sprocket being off. The best thing to do, rather than pushing the film, is unload it and try another spiral. It can be odd but sometimes a film will have difficulty loading onto one spiral but it is fine in another. Another thing that can put a pit of moisture on the film, rather than the spiral, is sweat from our hands as we load them. It doesn't take much to get the film, especially the emulsion side, to stick to the spiral. As you have said, sometimes if it is forced, the film may touch another part and this will stop the chemicals getting to it.

[@horst6210]

​@@ChristopherJohnBall Thanks for the quick response! I only use 36exp. factory-loaded film. Next time I will check if it's dry, but can humidity also hinder loading? The season is changing, a lot more rain and I load in a nonheated well ventilated shed.🤔

[@ChristopherJohnBall]

@@horst6210 Hi Horst. Happy to help. Yes, humidity could impact loading. If the film is slightly 'swollen' because of excess humidity it could explain the drag on the reels when loading. So that might be your problem. Perhaps it might be better to get a changing bag and load your films in that.

[@horst6210]

Yeah, I will look into it. Thanks

[@SteSeed]

​@@ChristopherJohnBallThis is utter nonsense, I have fought and fought to get 36 exposure film onto clean, dry paterson reels with completely dry, non sweaty hands, and the film still sticks. The solution? Buy a quality mirrorless camera and forget this stupid "film resurgence rubbish". Film is dead, just like typewriters and filofaxes. It's 2023, deal with it.

[@abohosamabohosam4178]

Hello, How many rolls of 35 mm film can one roll of patreson tank fit in.. In other words, how many meters of 35 mm film can be stuffed into one roll at once. Can it be more than three meters at one time.. Wait for a response Thank you..

[@ChristopherJohnBall]

Hi Abohosam, many thanks for your question. A normal 36 exposure 35mm film cassette contains approximately 165cm of film - including leader. So 1.65 of a Metre. I take it, from your question, you are looking to bulk load your own film. Is that true? I will procced to answer your question based upon that it is true. Unless you are using a special supplementary film back or are experimenting with motion picture techniques such as animation etc, 35mm film cameras, full frame anyway, have counters that end just after the 36 exposure mark. So loading more film inside a 35mm cassette wouldn't really have any benefit. There is also a limit to how much film can be placed inside a reloadable 35mm film cassette. When it comes to loading exposed film onto a Paterson 35mm tank spiral, you could get a few more exposures, or a little bit more than the normal 165cm, loaded onto it but not much. I wouldn't try loading 3 metres as the spiral wouldn't take it and your film could be developed unevenly or even damaged. I hope that has answered your question. If I have misunderstood it, please offer up more information and I will look further into it for you. All the best, Chris

[@abohosamabohosam4178]

@@ChristopherJohnBall No, you did not misunderstand me. I found a lot of answers from you to my question, especially in the last part of your reply.. I meant in my questions in a specific way about the spiral coil in the Patterson tank, can it hold more than a meter.. Yes, you answered: This is because it is not possible to take more than one movie, and if it increases, it may be a risk and the movie will be destroyed.. This is what I wanted to know exactly. In fact, I have an antique cinematic camera for making motion pictures and I wanted to do an experiment to make a small cinematic film that does not exceed three meters from the regular film and connect it together with a leader and I was planning to develop it all at once in the Patterson tank after filming .. But it seems that the course of the plan will change and I will develop all Film separately so as not to damage everyone.. Thank you very much for the answer..

[@ChristopherJohnBall]

@@abohosamabohosam4178 Happy to have been of help. If there is anything else I can help on, just ask. All the best, Chris

[@abohosamabohosam4178]

@@ChristopherJohnBall thank you very much..