Nordic Lab Film Threading Aid 120 for Paterson Developing Reels Made in Germany

• Load in the light, just turn in the dark: Insert the film and guide the protective paper into the slot in daylight. Then, in the changing bag, you only need to turn the knob until the film is on the reel. No more fumbling blindly in the dark.
• Protective paper separation solved: The aid carefully winds the protective paper and neatly loads the 120 roll film onto the Paterson reel. No paper mess, no tangling in the changing bag.
• All in one unit: Film roll, protective paper, and reel are fixed together in a compact piece. Nothing flies around or gets lost in the changing bag.
• Built for medium format frustration: 120 film is known as the hardest film to load. This aid makes the step repeatable, even for beginners.
• Impact-resistant PLA+: Made from tough plant-based bioplastic. Lightweight, dimensionally stable, and resistant to handling in the lab.
• Original from Nordic Lab: Licensed design by Sasha Yakovlev (Nordic Lab), made in Germany and checked for fit.

Compatibility

• Fits standard Paterson development reels (Paterson Super System 4 and identical adjustable reels) in the 120 position.
• Suitable for development in any Paterson-compatible tank.
• For 120 roll film (medium format). One 120 film is loaded per Paterson reel.
• Note: Dimensions may vary with reels from other manufacturers (Jobo, AP/Samigon), so fit is not guaranteed.

Scope of delivery

• 1x Nordic Lab Film Loading Aid 120 (3D printed, PLA+) – two parts: spindle and turning knob to snap together
• Without development reel, development tank, or film – these are not included.

Technical details

• Material: Plant-based bioplastic (PLA+), impact-resistant and dimensionally stable
• Manufacturing: 3D printed in Germany (Würzburg)
• Color: Black, matte
• Film format: 120 (medium format / roll film)
• Compatible with: Paterson development reels (Super System 4 / identical) in 120 position
• Construction: two-part – spindle with paper slot + turning knob with roller for smooth operation
• Made to order (print-on-demand) – short lead time, see shipping info

In detail

Loading 120 roll film onto the Paterson reel in the changing bag is notorious: protective paper and film are connected, the thin material wrinkles, and everything happens blindly. This loading aid untangles the knot – you insert the roll and guide the protective paper into the slot in daylight, place the Paterson reel in the 120 position, and then in the changing bag you just turn the knob. The paper unwinds and pulls the film evenly onto the reel. Everything stays together in one piece, nothing tangles. This makes the hardest step of medium format development calm and repeatable.

The design comes from Sasha Yakovlev aka Nordic Lab, who develops tools for analog film development in his lab and shares his designs freely. We manufacture the loading aid under license and with his explicit permission here in Würzburg from PLA+ and check the fit on a Paterson reel. Sasha provides the original STL file for free on his Ko-fi page – anyone who wants to print it themselves is warmly invited: Nordic Lab on Ko-fi. If you prefer a ready-printed, tested part with fast shipping from the EU, you can get it here.

Frequently asked questions

Why is 120 film so hard to load?
Unlike 35mm film, 120 roll film is attached to a long protective paper that you have to separate in the dark while guiding the thin film. The aid takes over exactly this separation and guidance.

Which reel do I need for this?
A standard Paterson reel (Super System 4 or identical) in the 120 position. The reel is not included.

Does the emulsion side matter?
No. In the development tank, it doesn’t matter whether the emulsion is inside or outside – the film develops the same either way.

Can I load two films on one reel?
For standard Paterson reels, one 120 film is loaded per reel. More won’t fit reliably due to the reel’s design.

Is a reel, tank, or film included?
No. Only the loading aid is delivered. You use your own reel, tank, and film.

Nordic Lab shows how to use it