PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Feb 16, 2007 18:51:26 GMT -5
Yesterday on a walk down to the town to do a spot of shopping I saw a guy loading film into a 6x6 camera, a Rolleiflex actually. Nothing too strange about that, but he loaded it by putting the free end of the backing paper into the take-up spool first and then taking the unexposed film and backing paper over the camera and down into its place.
I've always done it the other way round, putting the unexposed film in place and then leading the backing paper over to the take-up spool. Don't know why, I just always have. It seems to feel right because it's the same way as loading a 35mm camera, even though I started my photography with roll film.
He wasn't local, just down here visiting friends for a week and as it was quite bright, even though with a cold wind, he decided to go out and take some pictures. He was using Fuji Reala 100 ISO.
Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me - never do when I go shopping. Silly really, but I suppose everything local is too familiar, and when it's cold I just want to get back in the warm. When it gets warmer I really must train myself to look at familiar things in a different way.
We got chatting, and he didn't know why he loaded his Rollei that way except that was the way he was showed when he bought the camera many years ago and he'd always done it that way since. He was a keen photographer, but strictly a one-camera man.
I asked him if he'd considered digital. He said he could hardly avoid it as all the photo mags dealt with little else, but as long as his Rollei kept working, and he could still get 120 film and get it developed, he'd stick with it, though he did scan his negs.
So, medium format users here, which way round do you load your camera?
PeterW
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Feb 16, 2007 19:13:21 GMT -5
I always put the loaded film spool into its place first. That is because I know what a klutz I can be and had visions of dropping it. It never happened so perhaps I was right.
Mickey
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Post by John Parry on Feb 16, 2007 19:17:40 GMT -5
Same as you and Mickey, Peter. Did you sign the guy up to the board?
Regards - John
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Feb 16, 2007 19:38:59 GMT -5
I tried, John, that's when I found out he was strictly a one-camera man and not interested in collecting.
PeterW
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Post by kiev4a on Feb 16, 2007 21:30:28 GMT -5
I alway put in the loaded spool in first. This is sorta like discussing whether toilet paper should feed off the front of the roll or the back of the roll when mounted on the wall.
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Post by byuphoto on Feb 16, 2007 21:56:05 GMT -5
Me four
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Post by GeneW on Feb 16, 2007 22:07:47 GMT -5
So, medium format users here, which way round do you load your camera? PeterW That wouldn't work with my Rolleiflex 3.5F because you have to start at the bottom then feed the film through a sensing roller, then onto the takeup spool. Gene
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bobm
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Post by bobm on Feb 17, 2007 9:45:26 GMT -5
I load my 635 TLR unexposed film first - again, like Peter W says, because it "feels" right.
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wclavey
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Post by wclavey on Feb 17, 2007 18:42:04 GMT -5
I'll confess... it is true that I now load my TLRs (and MF folders and the Bronica) as most of you do... loaded spool first, then the take-up spool. But in fact, I was taught to do it the other way, put the leader on the take-up spool then drag the paper across the film gate and then attach the loaded spool. My first camera was a Spartus #4 folder and then a Minolta Autocord... I loaded both this was... but when I replaced the Minolta with the Mamiya c3 and c220, I switched to doing it the more common way.
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Post by Rachel on Feb 18, 2007 9:47:40 GMT -5
I too load my roll film cameras the conventional way and used to do my 35mm the same way but when I got my Leicaflex that recommended hooking the film leader to the take-up spool before inserting the film cassette and that's how I mostly load my 35mm cameras today.
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wclavey
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Post by wclavey on Feb 18, 2007 12:33:46 GMT -5
I too load my roll film cameras the conventional way and used to do my 35mm the same way but when I got my Leicaflex that recommended hooking the film leader to the take-up spool before inserting the film cassette and that's how I mostly load my 35mm cameras today. That is a really good point, and I would not have thought of it if you hadn't mentioned it. I exclusively load my 35mm cameras by hooking the leader into the take-up spool and dragging the loaded spool back across the film gate, then dropping it in. It seems so much faster than doing it the way I do 120.
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Post by majicman on Feb 18, 2007 22:11:39 GMT -5
I have done it both ways but I find my self doing it more the unconventional way because I can keep the roll tight easier. I always worry about the roll comming undone because I'm all thumbs sometimes.
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Post by doubs43 on Feb 19, 2007 16:23:19 GMT -5
I, too, have done it both ways. The one advantage I can think of when attaching the leader to the empty take-up spool first and then loading it is being able to make a full wrap that prevents the leader slipping out when tightening or taking up the leader slack. There have been times when the leader simply refused to stay in the slot unless it was wrapped one full turn.
Walker
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Post by jennyandernie on Feb 20, 2007 10:03:37 GMT -5
Here's my twopennerth.
I almost always load the leader into the take up spool first with 35mm; mainly because some of them are a bit awkward to load any other way. Also I find that you can get an extra frame out doing it this way.
With medium format I almost always load the unexposed film first and drag the leader across to the take up spool. As GeneW said; with the Rolleiflex it is the only way you can do it. Some medium format can wind on leaving the film a bit loose on the spool and thus allowing light in so I always keep my thumb on the film as I drag the leader across to tension the film.
It is not only the older cameras that are prone to this; my Bronica 645RF can wind some very loose spools if you don't load it correctly and tension the film as you load it.
Ernie
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Post by barrington on Feb 20, 2007 17:28:12 GMT -5
I always load the full spool in first,pull the leader up and feed it into the free spool.Dont know why..it just feels right that way.I never have any problems with loose spools (err..)
Barrington
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