Nordic Lab 35mm Film Loading Aid for Paterson Development Reels Made in Germany

• Load in the light, just turn in the dark: You load the film into the aid in daylight. Then in the changing bag, you just turn the knob until the film is on the reel. No more fumbling blindly in the dark.
• No trimming of film ends: No need to bevel or round the corners. The film runs cleanly onto the reel without jamming.
• Fixed reel guide: Holds the Paterson reel and the 35mm cartridge in registered position so the film winds straight instead of slipping around in the changing bag.
• Preload and store: Load multiple reels in advance and keep them ready to go. Develop later at your leisure.
• Impact-resistant PLA+: Made from tough plant-based bioplastic. Lightweight, dimensionally stable, and resistant to handling in the lab.
• Original by 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 35mm position.
• Suitable for development in any Paterson-compatible tank.
• For 35mm small format film (cartridge). Not for 120 roll film – there’s a 120 version for that.
• 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 35mm (3D printed, PLA+)
• 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: 35 mm (small format)
• Compatible with: Paterson development reels (Super System 4 / identical)
• Function: Turning knob for guiding in the dark, fixation for the film cartridge
• Made to order (print-on-demand) – short lead time, see shipping info

Details

Loading 35mm film onto the Paterson reel in the changing bag is often the most unpleasant step in film development: In blind operation, the cartridge slips, the film jams, and in the worst case, the material creases. This loading aid solves that: You comfortably load the film in daylight, no beveling or trimming of the film ends needed. In the changing bag, you just turn the knob until the film sits cleanly and straight on the reel – calmly, repeatably, and doable even for beginners. Since it’s affordable, you can prepare several reels at once and keep them ready on the shelf.

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 express permission here in Würzburg from PLA+ and check the fit on a Paterson reel. Sasha provides the original STL file 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

Which reel do I need for this?
A standard Paterson reel (Super System 4 or identical) in the 35mm position. The reel is not included.

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

Does it work in a changing bag/dark bag?
Yes, that’s exactly what it’s made for. The turning knob can be felt blindly, and the aid holds everything together so nothing flies around in the bag.

Can I prepare multiple reels?
Yes. You can load several reels one after another and store them ready to develop later at your leisure.

Why PLA+ and not resin?
PLA+ is a tough, impact-resistant plant-based bioplastic. It’s lightweight, dimensionally stable, and handles lab use better than brittle standard PLA.

Nordic Lab shows how to use it