Loading 120 or 220 Roll Film With 1501 or 2502 Reels
Introduction
The steps below will show you how to load 120 or 220 roll film onto the 1501 or 2502 reels.
Procedure
Prepare the reel
Be sure that the reel is clean, dry, and assembled (two halves put together).
Remove the red tab from the reel if you are loading 220 film on the reel. This tab is only used with 120 roll film. If you are going to load two rolls of 120 film on the reel, leave the red tab on the reel, but be sure that it is left unlocked (bent up) for loading the first roll of film. If you are going to load one roll of 120 film on the reel, leave the red tab on the reel, but be sure that it is left locked (bent down) so the roll does not go too far into the reel. Be sure that the reel is set for 120 (60 mm) width film. To set the reel for 120 film, twist the reel counterclockwise past a resistance and expand the reel to its maximum width. Twist the reel in the opposite direction until it goes past a resistance. The reel will turn about one eighth rotation for loading.
Remove the film from the spool
Break the paper seal on the roll. Gently unwind the paper backing. When you get to the film itself, it will roll up separately from the paper backing. Continue unrolling until you come to the end. The end of the film will be taped to the paper. Carefully pull the paper backing from the film at the taped point. Discard the paper backing with the spool. Fold over the tape at the end of the film. If the tape has bits of paper on it, you may remove the tape from the film instead. (Be careful not to crease the film, when you remove the tape.) 220 roll film is twice as long as 120 film. It has the same width as 120 film. On 220 film there is a leader and trailer of paper taped to the film. The paper does not extend to the full length of the film. With 220 film, use the above tape instructions for both ends of the film.
Prepare the film
The film will be coiled in a roll. Hold this roll so the film does not unravel. Locate the end of the film. Carefully trim the film end. Cut the lead corners of the film at a 45 degree angle. The diagonal cut should be about 1/8" (3 mm). You may find fingernail clippers useful for cutting the film end. If you trim too much in from the corners, the film will not load properly. Cut straight across the film and re-trim the corners.
Load the film
Locate the open end of the spiral on the reel. Push the film into the opening on the reel. The emulsion side of the film (inside of the film's natural curl) should be facing toward the center of the reel. Check to see that the film is going onto the reel smoothly. Unwind a length of film about 6" (150 mm). With the reel held in both hands, alternate rocking the reel back and forth with your fingers gently placed on the film back on alternating sides. Walk the film onto the reel. As you move the film onto the reel, be sure that the film is not tangled below the reel. Continue walking the film onto the reel until the end is fully into the reel.
Loading two rolls of 120 film on the reel
If you are loading two rolls of 120 film on the reel, continue with these additions. Double check that the red clip is up. Continue walking the first roll of film onto the reel as far as it will go (see illustration, left). Press the red clip down into the spiral of the reel. (If the red clip does not easily go down, you have not placed the first roll of film as far into the reel as it should be. Do not force the clip into place.) Load the second roll of 120 film, as you did for the first. The red clip will prevent the films from overlapping each other.
Loading the tank
Place the loaded reel on the center core. If you are using a multiple reel tank, and are not going to fill the tank with loaded reels, place empty reel(s) on top of the loaded reels, filling the center core with the maximum capacity of reels. Place the center core with reels into the tank. Twist the center core slightly to ensure the center core is seated in the tank as far down as it will go. Place the lid on the tank. Press down firmly on the lid. Pull down the red locking ring of the lid. Check for proper seating of the lid by twisting the lid and tank body. If the lid moves (without a strong effort), the lid is not fully seated. Lift the red ring and try again.
Completion
Verify that all film has been loaded onto reels, the reels are all placed in the tank, and the tank lid is secure. If all the film is in the sealed tank, you may turn on the lights. The rest of the processing procedure may be done in the light.