HOW TO: Load film into a processing tank

How to video on loading 35mm film into a tank ready for processing with chemicals

[@MilliePat]

This is the best direction for loading film on KZbin because most videos will tell you that everything must be done in the dark. Thanks in bunches

[@simoneillingworth]

Totally!! And when using a tank the first part does not need to be done in the dark at all. It makes things much more difficult if you do the whole process in the dark! If you don't have a film picker and need to use a canister opener, then you would need to be in complete darkness however.

[@lostkonnections2646]

facts!!

[@pacificswell]

Simple and perfect instructions; perfect tip for preloading before lights out.

[@ndunlimited]

This has been the best direction video on loading I’ve seen!! Thank you so much!!!

[@simoneillingworth]

You're welcome! :) Thanks!

[@Chloede_]

This seems much easier than I thought it would be. Thanks for the video!

[@Richard-mz7qu]

Thank you! I am new to this process and I have always worried about starting the film on the reel (in the dark bag). You pointed out a great point that the first part of the film can be done before the dark bag. Sweet!

[@35emulsion]

Awesome! Loved the fact that you didnyhave to break apart the film canister!!!

[@christopherwereley2116]

Thanx for sharing your technique. Was getting frustrated with opening the canister in the dark with a can opener and having to deal with cropping the leader in the dark and then fumbling with twisted film trying to get it started on the reel. This makes more sense!

[@simoneillingworth]

Hi Christopher! You're welcome, film pickers make things a lot easier once you get the hang of using them. I have a video for this too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIaUq3aqhMloiKM Otherwise, if you have an older film camera that you manually rewind, keep notice of when the tension changes once the film releases from the other side of the camera. If you stop rewinding at this point, the end will already be out of the canister for you :)

[@Jewe1]

Super clear and simple instructions, thanks! ❤️

[@jimcook3882]

XLNT video Mrs Steele. Much appreciated, as I am about to start B&W developing at home after maybe 30 years?? My local LAB gives me very crappy quality on developing and scanning, and bloody expensive. Time to go back into the dark again. PS: Pretty hands, my Dear Thanks again!

[@LuneFlaneuse]

Thank you!

[@zinibrahim1026]

Thank you Mrs Steele. Most helpful. I detect an Aussie accent.

[@simoneillingworth]

Zin Ibrahim Close, New Zealand accent! :)

[@bbuchner]

In a tank that holds more than one reel, you should always put the other reels on top, even if you aren't loading them with film to prevent the loaded one from sliding up and out of the chemicals during inversions. Sometimes friction will keep the loaded reel stuck part way up the center cylinder, so putting all the reels in prevents this movement. Obviously, the loaded reel must be on the bottom, to remain submerged in the chemicals.

[@patakk8145]

that's a very useful tip, thanks!

[@paigevansice2990]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you.

[@baileystottrup8112]

thank you :)

[@Minemasters3]

Really helpful video and easy to understand! Thank you!

[@Lenonmendes]

Thank you! That’s exactly what I was looking for

[@sequentialable12]

Thanks alot

[@wichersham]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@dovidiamond7147]

THANK YOU!

[@wolfsea100]

this really helpful and simple thanks

[@tclin2938]

Thank you for your video!

[@el_gransalto]

Great tutorial!

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Thanks for this!

[@SteSeed]

You obviously used a 24 exposure film here, as 36 exposure will not fit on these reels. I've been struggling for god knows how long to get 36 exposure onto these reels, but 24 exposure goes on perfectly. Just so people know.

[@wi11i6m]

Very good and clear process

[@simoneillingworth]

Thanks!

[@luiszam177]

I hope this method helps me from damaging my film.

[@miguelseanez2869]

Question: when youre done shooting and ready to take the film out. When do you know to stop reeling in your roll in your camera before you pull the canister out? How will you avoid ruining some of your photos?

[@mrssteele9305]

Hi! When you start rewinding the film you'll feel the tension while you're turning the lever. It should be firm when the film is still on the other side of the camera and when the tab releases you'll feel the winding become loose without and tension when turning. If you stop turning when you feel this pressure change then you'll have the edge of the film out, thus no longer needing to pick the end of the film out for developing. If you're wanting the film right inside the canister, just continue winding a few times before opening the back of the camera. Remember that when you load your film in the first place, you'll have 10-15cm of film out of the canister when loading so it's ok to then have this much out of the canister when opening the back of the camera if it hasn't quite rewound fully. Hope this helps!!

[@miguelseanez2869]

Mrs Steele yes that makes sense, thank you so much!

[@Bluefernbotanticals]

Can this method work with an automatic film rewind? It seems easier than opening the canister in the dark! Thanks :)

[@simoneillingworth]

Yes of course!! You would need a film picker to pull the end of the film out of the canister first, I have a video on how to use these too :) And I agree, it's much easier than being in the dark opening the canister!!

[@freewithnature]

You can load your camera in the dark and save on pictures because you will lose pictures and this should all be in the dark not just some of it.

[@simoneillingworth]

freewithnature yes correct - but not everyone has a darkroom and you still get the same amount of shots on the film as described, you would possibly only gain one more shot. You will still lose the same amount of images from the start of the film after winding it around the spindle.

[@patakk8145]

@@simoneillingworth Not necessarily. I think you can avoid losing images if you rewind the film a bit more, in order for all the images to get into the container. It may be tricky, but it's doable.

[@brandoncostner7437]

How do you unload every video is just how to load

[@mrssteele9305]

I will make one soon!