What's The Difference Between Two Metal Reels?

What's the difference between the two metal reels? One has brackets and the

other one has a clip. How do you process your 35mm film onto the one with the

clip? Please help.

Dunno which two metal reels you have, but if your clip-type metal reel is like mine, there's two projections. Those two projections go into two sprocket holes on the 35mm film.

 

Try it with an old 35mm negative, and it should be obvious.

Just slide it into the clip the right way. It's sometimes counter-intuitive, depending on the clip design.

 

I liked the Nikor reels with just a little wire to form a cage around three sides of the center. But I now have some Hewes reels from a local yard sale, and they are even nicer than the Nikors.

Reels with the clip that forms a V in the center work like a spring and the V should be in the center of the reel opening and the center of the film goes between it and the cross bar of the reel that it presses against.

It doesn't matter what kind of clip is in the center of the reel - don't use any clip at all. Clipping the film to the reel almost guarantees the first turn will be crooked or kinked, and possiby several turns. It is simpler to hold the end of the film square in the reel and put a couple of turns on it. The film starts straight, runs straight and there is enough friction after a couple of turns to keep the film from slipping as you wind it.

 

This works with 35mm and roll film - I've been doing it this way for 40 years now.