Loading a Jobo 4x5 film reel

[E Thomson]

I'm using a 2509 4x5 film holder in a 2500 tank for the first time. I have a couple questions:

--I've been practicing with the thing in the light. I assumed I would be able to load it without the Sheetfilm Loader. Didn't want to spend the money. But this thing is a little diabolical; does anyone successfully load this freehand?

--I notice if all six slots are used, there is no way to keep adjacent sheets from scraping against each other as they load. The manner in which they do suggests potential for scratching. I'm using Tri-x; should I be concerned?

Thanks

[RDB Korn]

Eric,

I actually find it easier to load the 2509 reel without using the special loader. It takes a bit of practice doing it freehand, but becomes second nature after loading a few times. I tend to err on the side of caution, so only load 4 films (innermost and outermost positions).

Paul

[Vlad Soare]

Eric, I'm using a 2509n reel and have absolutely no problem loading 4x5 sheets without the special loader. I can load six sheets, no problem. It just takes a little practice.
What's a little more difficult than loading the sheets themselves is installing the black stoppers. But that's also easy to manage after you get the hang of it.

The only film I had trouble with was Rollei Infrared. That film has an annoying property, namely that 4x5 sheets are coated on the same base as the rollfilm version, which means that they are unacceptably thin and flimsy. Loading the film holders, or the Jobo reel, was such a nightmare that I ended up throwing all remaining unexposed sheets away and swearing never to buy that film in 4x5 again (rollfilm is fine, though).

I notice if all six slots are used, there is no way to keep adjacent sheets from scraping against each other as they load. The manner in which they do suggests potential for scratching. I'm using Tri-x; should I be concerned?

What do you mean? The sheets go into completely separated slots, they never touch each other, not one bit. You must be very careful not to insert two sheets into the same slot. This can happen very easily if you don't pay attention, and one of the sheets will be ruined. It's also very easy to mistakenly insert one side of the sheet into the correct slot, and the other side into an adjacent slot.
Fortunately, you'll usually feel that something is wrong, and you'll have the chance of removing the sheet and trying again.

[seabird]

I'm using a 2509 4x5 film holder in a 2500 tank for the first time. I have a couple questions:

--I've been practicing with the thing in the light. I assumed I would be able to load it without the Sheetfilm Loader. Didn't want to spend the money. But this thing is a little diabolical; does anyone successfully load this freehand?

I load freehand without problems (my Scottish ancestors would not let me spring for the loader either :-). I hold the reel so that the hole that the centre column goes through is horizontal. I then load the inner slot first, feeling for the start of the slots with a thumb on either side of the reel. I then "walk" the sheet film in under my thumbs until enough film is in place that it wont fall out. I then gently guide the rest of the sheet in pushing from the "bottom" edge. Sometimes a corner catches as I am pushing the sheet in, just pull it out a bit and gently wiggle it till it frees up.

Once loaded, run a finger across the exposed edges of the sheets. Even spacing will confirm that you haven't accidentally loaded two sheets in one slot. (obviously, this is done before snapping the wings into place :-)

Practice with exposed/dud film with the lights on, then do the same in the dark, before committing those award winning negatives to the process. Oh, and dont panic when the reel rolls onto the floor while you are reaching for the next sheet film holder :-)

Practice makes perfect. I now find it easier to load 4x5 FP4+ into my 2509n reels than to load FP4+ 120 roll film on my Paterson reels.

--I notice if all six slots are used, there is no way to keep adjacent sheets from scraping against each other as they load. The manner in which they do suggests potential for scratching. I'm using Tri-x; should I be concerned?

I tend to only load 4 sheets per reel using the inner and outer slots and leaving the middle slot empty - I understand Jobo also recommended this to ensure even development (not that I've noticed uneven development when doing six sheets per reel). I dont understand your concern about scratching, as at no stage do the sheets come into contact with each other if you're doing it right. Biggest potential problem is fingerprints, but cotton gloves can solve this.

Good luck!

[Joanna Carter]

I have a loader, as part of a job lot of secondhand gear I picked up. I have tried to use it but found that it is more trouble thanit is worth. Yes, you have to be careful, and as others have said, practise in the light, but it is not at all difficult, once you have made a few mistakes The only mistake I made on my first "production" run was to insert one edge of the middle sheet into the inner slot; the result was a slight cyan tint to a very small part of the edge of the sheet - nothing that couldn't be fixed in Photoshop.

[Vlad Soare]

I understand Jobo also recommended this to ensure even development (not that I've noticed uneven development when doing six sheets per reel)

That was for the older 2509 reels.
The two black plastic caps that come with 2509n reels are the solution to this problem. 2509n reels can develop six sheets perfectly if you use those wings. The only times I got uneven development was either when I didn't use them, or when I rotated the tank one way only. I've learned my lesson and now use them every time, and I also rotate the tank both ways. Perfect results every time, even with six sheets.

If your hands are clean, fingerprints are nothing to worry about. The developer is basic and will dissolve any traces of finger grease.

[dazedgonebye]

I load freehand too. I'm a newbie at this and have only developed about 20 sheets...still, last time I did it, it went off without a hitch.
I only load 4 sheets per roll because 6 always seems to give me trouble.
The black pieces are the hardest part.

Just practice many times in the changing bags before you give it a go with actual film.

[csant]

Loading freehanded here too. It was a bit puzzling the first time, but I very quickly got how to do it. Also inserting the black wings was tricky the first time only, until I understood that you can rather easily snap them into position by placing first one end, and then gently pushing the other end. Only the very first time I thought "this is never gonna work" for a moment - until everything snapped into place.

[Ole Tjugen]

And another freehandloader here. Once I figured out where the wings are supposed to fit, it was easy. I use two fingers on the onside, through the reel, to hold them in place, and then snap them into place with both thumbs. The only place where you could possibly poke two fingers through a loaded reel is exactly where the wings should go.

[Paul Bujak]

Guess I'm a throwback or lazy or something, but I use the loader. For the first sheet, rotate the reel, count three clicks and insert film. Rotate, count three and insert the next sheet. Pretty easy.

But... I agree with everybody that installing the black wing-plates is a real pain. Maybe I need to diet or something so my fingers are smaller. I've used Jobo for years but still haven't perfected a technique for those *%#$*@ plates.

Paul