Originally posted by KungPOW I never wind the leader entierly back into the case. The first cut I make to square the film start is done in the light. I also clip the corners of the film to allow a smooth "wind up" onto plastic reels. I start winding onto the spool in light also, then I finish in the dark.
I find this a great deal easier then starting the process in the dark.
Also if something goes wrong during the wind up, I can always wind the film back into the case, turn the lights on and start over.
Well, leaving the leader out does save some fumbling in the dark. I wind it all the way back in, though, unless I can *immediately* trim the leader off: otherwise there's some small risk of confusing it with an un-shot or partially-shot roll, which I generally find unacceptable, (especially because the way I nibble through my film work these days, a shot roll could represent some work in that film for a month or two) One thing I've learned from a long time in film photography is to never trust my memory when I can cultivate a habit and know exactly what something means when it's left a certain way. Especially the way my memory can be lately ...if I'm hurting, I've got an alarming tendency to not remember things later.
One thing you can do, especially if you don't have a really happy dark bag or other good situation, is to utilize a *leader extractor.* Then you can trim in the light without that worry. Everyone should have one and know how to use it, anyway. Sooner or later, *some* film's going to end up wound all the way back when it shouldn't: it's just a question of when and how often.