Getting two rolls of medium format film onto one developing reel
Here’s a quick tip for getting two rolls of 120 format film onto a single plastic development reel consitently and safely (i.e. wihout having the films overlap inside the tank):
Warm up the reel before winding on the films.
The reel should be dry to begin with. To warm it up, I simply put it out in the sun for a couple of minutes or use a hair dryer for a few seconds.
I’ve read this tip on a forum somewhere, and I haven’t had issues since I started following it.
Detailed instructions
When you have warmed up the reel, put everything in the darkbag (or darkroom) and start loading the first roll as you normally would.
Once you’ve ratcheted it on, use your fingers (as the ratcheting won’t work once the film is on completely) to keep winding it on until it hits the inner end of the reel. (Since I can’t handle the film on its side for this, I do touch the film directly.) Because the reel is dry and warm, this should work without resistance from the material. If you feel you have to force it, there’s a good chance you won’t get the film in completely. In this case, I would start from scratch or bite the bullet, and simply develop only one roll this time around.
Once the first roll is in, load the second roll as you did the first. Both ratcheting or simply pushing the film on do work in my experience. Make sure to not wind it in too far. There’s not much extra space on these reels, so stop winding as soon as the second one is on completely.
That’s it! Now you can start developing.
What I’m using
I am using a Kaiser Developing Tank with plastic reels for my film developing, which can hold two reels with one 35mm film each, or a single, expanded reel to hold medium format film. The only way to develop more than one 120 roll in a tank like this, is to spool two onto a single reel. And with it comes the risk of having the films overlap.
If you’re using a different tank system, this tip should also apply as long as the reels are plastic.
I tried loading more than one film several times before following this tip. It sometimes worked, and sometimes didn’t. Which meant I had films overlapping (quite substantially at times) and I lost quite a few negatives, because they came out undeveloped or only partially developed.
Bonus tips for developing 120 film
Peel off half of the tape that holds each film roll together before placing it into the darkbag. This makes it easier to open the roll in the dark.
Always use enough developer (probably more than it says in the instructions for 120 film). Without a second reel to hold everything in place, there’s a good chance it’ll slide up a little during agitation, and will no longer be completely covered by the developer.
