dave_gesell

<p>Mark, I'm just getting back into shooting film and processing B&W at home. I had started with Paterson years ago, and then switched to Kinderman steel tanks and reels, largely because the owner of the shop I dealt with showed me the loader that worked with the reels. This time around I opted for Paterson, largely because a friend had some old System 4 tanks and reels in storage, and in relearning how to load the reels I discovered that if I ignore the "hold one side of the reel, rotate the other" method, I can load the reels much faster, and with no binding as I reach the end of the roll. What I do is hold the reel in my left hand with the entry track facing right, positioned at 12:00, with the tabs even. Bending the film slightly, I then feed it into the entry track. Releasing a little of the pressure used to bend the film, and the film should engage on the ball bearings. At that point I can just push the film into the reel all the way to the end. If I feel any binding along the way, it's because the angle between the entry of the reel and where I'm feeding the film from has drifted up or down, and is easily corrected. With a little bit of practice I was able to load a roll of 135-36 in about 30 seconds, less than half the time of recommended method. The biggest advantage of this method for me is that the film doesn't bind as you get to the end of the roll where it was wound the tightest in the spool. I know you're shooting 120, but I suspect my method will work the same. I hope to find out myself pending the result of an eBay auction on Tuesday.</p>

<p>I have the non WR version, and didn't use it much as I prefer primes. But, this past winter I bought both the 18-55 WR and the 50-200 WR <em>because</em> of the weather sealing. I've used both lenses in really torrential rain on my K10D and had no issues. Both these lenses live in my Tenba Messenger bag which carries all my work stuff, and they're great to have in conditions that I wouldn't subject my 21 Limited to. They're both small and light enough that, if the weather looks dodgy, I can throw them into my bag with my preferred prime kit. The 50-200 won't be as sharp as the DA* 60-250, but if the alternative is sitting at home? As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have with you.</p>