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

• Load in the light, turn only in the dark: Insert the film and guide the protective paper into the slot in daylight. In the changing bag, you then only turn the knob until the film is on the reel. No more blind fumbling in the dark.
• Protective paper separation solved: The aid carefully unwinds the protective paper and neatly pulls 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 part. Nothing flies around or gets lost in the changing bag.
• Built for medium format frustration: 120 film is considered the hardest film to load. This aid makes the step repeatable, even for beginners.

Design & idea: Nordic Lab (Sasha Yakovlev). Licensed design, made in Germany, and fit-tested.

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 – two parts: spindle and turning knob to assemble
• 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 parts – 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 only turn the knob in the changing bag. The paper unwinds and pulls the film evenly onto the reel. Everything stays together in one part, nothing tangles. This makes the most difficult 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 freely shares his designs. We manufacture the loading aid under license and with his explicit permission here in Würzburg and test 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. Those who prefer a ready-printed, tested part with fast shipping from the EU 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 must be separated in the dark while guiding the thin film at the same time. 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 does not matter whether the emulsion is inside or outside – the film develops the same in both cases.

Can I load two films on one reel?
For standard Paterson reels, one 120 film is loaded per reel. More does not reliably fit due to the design of the Paterson reel.

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

Nordic Lab shows the application