I crossed another newbie threshold just now by successfully (I believe) loading my first two large format film holders with relatively inexpensive Arista.EDU 100 black and white film. It wasn't as hair raising as I had feared. To fortify myself I watched this excellent video tutorial and also absorbed this page. I then practiced with an already exposed sheet until I could do it with my eyes closed.

My only pause was trying to figure out if I had slid the film sheet into the proper groove. We'll see after I cross the next threshold - shooting a 4x5 sheet with my Speed Graphic.

If you are wondering what this all means. Large format cameras do not load magazines or any sort of multiple 'roll'. Instead, you must feed them sheets of individual film to expose. These are put in single or double holders. You slide the holder in, remove the dark slide, take the shot, put the dark slide back in, and replace with your next shot. However, in order to load film into each holder, it has to be in complete darkness. Hence, the whole tension over whether I did it correctly or not. I couldn't see any of it; it has to be done by feel.