2 rolls out of a 3-pack ruined.

Rolling film on a metal reel can be very challenging and for years I avoided using these reels in favor of the plastic ones with the large lip for leading the negative around the reel. Over the last year or so I have been working on getting around this fear of not being able to roll the film.

The first and most important thing that you have to make sure is that when you cut off the "L" shaped piece make sure that you cut the film between the sprocket holes. Those first few holes are crucial for the ability to successfully loading the film on to the reel.

On the center post of the reel there are two very small hooks that you want the negative to hook on to using those sprocket holes. These hooks work to make sure that the film stays put while you roll and throughout the development process.

Once the film is hooked on you are going to slowly turn the reel around and around holding the unrolled film on the sides. Make sure to hold on the sides because you don't want your fingers to scratch the very sensitive negative.

If you practice in the light with dead rolls of film you can check if you rolled well by holding up the roll and looking though. If you can see between the rounds of film then you have done a good job. It is important that the film be rolled smoothly because if parts are touching then the chemicals can't get in and the film will not develop properly. Once you have mastered rolling this way in the light take some time to roll a dead roll of film in the dark before you get to the real stuff (no pun intended).