hugo50•11d ago

That time at a Brooklyn camera swap meet changed my film loading routine

I was at the Brooklyn Camera Swap last month and this older guy showed me how to load bulk film in total darkness using just my fingertips. He said it takes 20 seconds once you get the hang of it. I tried his method at home and now I can load 35mm canisters in under a minute without any light leaks. Has anyone else found a trick that completely changed your darkroom workflow?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason36110d ago

Wait, you're doing it without a changing bag?

pipera506d ago

Oh man, yeah I totally messed that up once. Was developing some black and white rolls in my bathroom with the lights off and no bag, just total darkness. Had to feel around for the spool and the tank lid blind, thought I had it all figured out until I heard the spool pop off the reel and hit the floor. Had to crawl around on my hands and knees in the pitch black trying to find it, then ended up ruining the entire roll because the film touched the floor before I got it back on. Never again, I always use a bag now.