A photographic film loading method of loading photographic film at an apparatus which has a carrier for holding and conveying the film along a conveying path and which effects photometry of each frame image of the film at a predetermined position of the conveying path, comprising the steps of: spanning the photographic film between a supply reel and a winding reel; the carrier having a first portion disposed so as to be fixed at the apparatus and a second portion movable between a first position, at which the photographic film located on the conveying path is held between the first portion and the second portion, and a second position, which is withdrawn from the first position such that release of the holding of the photographic film between the first portion and the second portion is permitted, drawing-out an intermediate portion of the photographic film between the supply reel and the winding reel while the second portion is located at the second position, so as to locate the intermediate portion on the conveying path; and moving the second portion to the first position to hold the photographic film, thereby completing loading of the photographic film. Therefore, the photographic film can be loaded at the carrier without conveying a leader portion of the photographic film along the conveying path, and damage to the leader portion and jamming of the photographic film can be prevented.