Tips for loading/unloading and processing

Loading the film

The film is very tightly wound to prevent light leaks. The label around the film is easily removable. The film can be loaded in
any lighting, even in full daylight but I do not recommend this unless it is absolutely necessary. If so, be careful not to let the
sun directly strike the film. At least turn your back to the sun and load it in your shadow. Keep the film canister handy to put
the film in after exposure. Load the film just like other 120 films.

Unloading the film

The film CANNOT be UNLOADED in full daylight. The issue is that the camera back does not wind the film as tightly as I
do. The film CAN be unloaded in conditions such as a bright sunlit room (like open shade) with minimal to zero fogging along
the last frame and not intruding into the image area. Conditions darker than this, such as a normally lit room, should be 100%
safe. If you are uncomfortable about it, drape a cloth over the camera when you unload it.

When you first remove the film from the camera back, you will see a label attached to the roll, the kind with a removable
backing. Fold under a half-inch or so of the backing and tightly wrap the label around the roll. This will make it easier to open
the film in the darkroom when you are ready to process it.

Store the film in the film canister until time of processing. The canister has a locking
lid and a convenient place on top to record notes about the contents of the roll.

Processing the film -  A word of CAUTION

These films are identical to Kokak HIE and EIR in every way. They are cut from the same production rolls. This means that
the exposure and development are the same as HIE and EIR. This includes sensitivity to IR sensors in photo labs. If you
process your own film then you've got nothing to worry about. You can use your normal procedures and development times.

For others, be warned that Mini lab shops are not a good place to develop this film. The staff is usually less experienced and
may not be able to disable the IR sensors in their equipment, or the equipment may not work properly if they do. Even large
professional labs that process hundreds of medium format rolls a day use IR sensors and viewers. These labs employ people
to unwrap medium format films and insert them into a film processor. To do this, they use IR goggles and IR illuminators to
facilitate handling. The automatic processors use IR sensors to count frames and to detect the presence of film in the
machine's transport system. These will fog the film.

Here's what you need to do: Talk to the lab that you use and make a very clear point with them that this film must be handled
in complete darkness, absent even of IR light. They may have to develop it by hand to do this. If you already use a lab for 35
mm HIE or EIR film, tell them your concerns anyway. Otherwise, they will handle your film just like any other medium format
film and there is a good chance that your money, hard work and creativity will all go to waste. This is great film and once you
start using it, you will not want to go back to 35 mm. You just need to apply the extra caution in having it processed. For
those of you who don't have a darkroom, remember, you don't need a full darkroom to develop film. It might be worthwhile
to develop your own film and then bring it in for printing.