Digital BW, The Print

Alex, I'll second this.  I used stainless steel 120 reels for years, but
finally went over to Jobo.  They are much easier--at least for me.

I do the same trick with cutting the leading corners off at about 45
degree angles as Kip does with his Paterson.  I don't think the angle is
critical--you just want a taper so the leading corners don't dig the
real and catch.  Also, I pull the film in about 4" too, then it winds on
in fine.  

I've found that not all film is the same width.  Amazing, but true in my
experience.  Some film I can actually push all the way into the reel
once I have it going.  Other films I have to be more careful with as
they tend to drag some.

With the tapered leading corners, I've successfully done 2 120 rolls on
a single 120/220 Jobo reel.

Keep trying!  Call Jobo if you continue to have difficulty.  Their
support is very good.


kenb

____________________
Ken Brookner
kenb@...


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kip Babington [mailto:cbabing3@...] 
> 
> I don't have experience with the JOBO reels, Alex.   But I 
> developed 120 
> film successfully for 30+ years using Paterson tanks and 
> reels, and I'll 
> bet the reel designs are similar.  The most important step in 
> loading the 
> Paterson reels was to make a tiny 45 degree cut across the 
> leading corners 
> of the film before you try to load it.  It doesn't have to be 
> exact, and it 
> was no trick to do in the dark - you just have to take that 
> point away from 
> the leading edge of the film.