Paterson reels quality

[imush]

I've used the Adorama generic equivalent of Paterson tank for a while. It came with only one reel, even though the tank has capacity for 2 35mm film reels. So I bought a couple of new reels to be able to do 2 films together. Strictly speaking, I only needed one, but I thought a spare may be useful some day. The new reels are Paterson, and I am having trouble with them.

Taking the two halves apart is very difficult and makes you wonder whether the plastic will break. Especially when it is wet with freshly developed film and you are trying to grab the two halves without damaging film.

Also, the film seems to get derailed more easily during loading. I had to pull out and rewind one of the rolls. This, perhaps, is my subjective impression.

The generic reel from Adorama, however, always works beautifully, and snaps apart effortlessly with a neat click. And I never had problems loading film into it. There is actually no visible difference between the two, I have to twist to tell which reel is a Paterson one.

Is it just me, or do others also find these faults in Paterson plastic reels? Next time, I'll need to test a reel by twisting it apart at the store before bying. I just assumed they all work as well as my first one.

 

[greyhoundman]

You don't pull the reels apart to remove film.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I have 9 Patterson reels of different age. Some are stiffer than others but all come apart oke.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[imush]

You don't pull the reels apart to remove film.

Thanks! I just started developing my film after many years' break. A long time ago, in Russia, I used steel reels. Having bought the plastic ones, I had trouble at my first taking the film out. It did not come out smoothly, and the unexposed edges of film got damaged slightly. When I squeezed the edges closer, it snapped off and touched the inner loop. So I thought there is less harm done if I just take the top off, even though the wet film will touch itself a little at top edge. Ever since I just assumed that this is a proper thing to do with plastic reels. Apparently, it is not. Perhaps the new reels are actually better in this respect, and the fault lies with the first one.

 

[Pherdinand]

You don't pull the reels apart to remove film.

what do you do then??
I always pull them apart. I don't see how you can take the film out in any other way...am i doing it completely wrong?

 

[imush]

what do you do then??
I always pull them apart. I don't see how you can take the film out in any other way...am i doing it completely wrong?

So I am not alone. I couldn't pull the film out safely like I used to from a steel reel (years ago), so I thought that's what you do with plastic reels.

For loading film, plastic is in any case much easier to work with. At least in comparison to the FSU steel reels that I used, maybe the Western ones are made better.

 

[rogue_designer]

huh - I've always curve the film in and pulled it straight away from the reel in roughly 1 ft lengths... then adjust my grip, and do it again.

it never even occurred to me to take the reels apart. Not in thousands of rolls have I damaged film taking it off the reel.

*shrug*

 

[greyhoundman]

Bear in mind I'm right handed.

I hold the reel with film in left hand. With index finger and thumb over the reel holes. I then use my right to lift up the end of the film strip so that it comes out of the groove. I then pull gently and let the reel turn in between my finger and thumb.
It comes right out with no damage and no touching itself. I then just clip it up to dry.

 

[Pherdinand]

hm, might work better indeed.
Probably because the film is wet and more flexible?
I will try. I had no problem with 35mm film touching itself, so far, when i take the reel apart, but when i did it with medium format, once i did end up with weird drying marks although i used wetting agent + distilled water for final rinse.

Thanks greyhoundman🙂

 

[greyhoundman]

You're welcome. I hate trying to pull reels apart. LOL

 

[wintersway]

huh - I've always curve the film in and pulled it straight away from the reel in roughly 1 ft lengths... then adjust my grip, and do it again.

it never even occurred to me to take the reels apart. Not in thousands of rolls have I damaged film taking it off the reel.

*shrug*

This is how I've always done it. I watched a video of someone developing film and they snaped the reel apart. I was shocked! Didn't ever occur to me that it was possible.

 

[popstar]

I completely agree. The thought to take apart my Paterson reels post-development has never occurred to me. I'm also right-handed and perform the task exactly as described. Never had an issue using this method. Good luck!

Bear in mind I'm right handed.

I hold the reel with film in left hand. With index finger and thumb over the reel holes. I then use my right to lift up the end of the film strip so that it comes out of the groove. I then pull gently and let the reel turn in between my finger and thumb.
It comes right out with no damage and no touching itself. I then just clip it up to dry.

 

[Solinar]

I believe on the Paterson reels, you first turn them clockwise towards each other before widening them for 120 or narrowing them for 135.

The only PIA I've experienced on the Paterson reel is the tiny ball bearings stick after drying the reel. Before loading I have to remember to free up both ball bearings. I also snip an angled cut at each corner of the leading edge of the film - in darkness - before loading.

If the film hangs up while loading, it is usually one of the two tiny ball bearing becoming stuck or the leading edge of the film - when I forget to snip the corners -

 

[Pherdinand]

the funny hting with pulling the reel apart is, the film ALWAYS remains in the part that you DON'T expect!! i cannot understand this.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I always pull them apart when I get the film out. I never thought of leaving them together. I also dry them separate.

Cheers,

Michiel Ffokkema.

 

[lshofstra]

OK, let me chip in. I use Paterson reels, some come apart more easily than other, and I unload them as the fancy takes me. So they should suite everyone I would think... Mind you, I always put them on top dish/tray warmer before I use them, as even a hint of moisture will render them useless. The big plus, by the way, for me is not in the reels, but (using the super system 4) in its being designed for filling the tank really fast . Never any worrries about uneven development.
Pherdinand, I'm in the province of Groningen, bound to run into you sooner or later..... I'll be wearing a rangefinder....

 

[imush]

Funny to start such a discussion. Either method just seems obvious to its practitioners.
start a poll?

 

[lshofstra]

Great, I now make up 50% of this poll. Makes me feel important. Concerning cleaning them: I usually rinse the film while it is still in its reel and assume this will be enough as cleaning goes. They do go a bit brown over time, so far I've taken a brush to them once.

 

[like2fiddle]

Ok, I have a question then. Do all Patterson reels come apart? I've never really tried, they seem so tightly put together. I do my 120 with a different system because of this. Can someone please explain if there's a way to know whether a Patterson reel is meant to come apart so that I don't break it trying. And then, how do you do it?

 

[kaiyen]

I pull the reels apart myself. But one note - learn how they come apart, so that you know how to put them back together. If you get it wrong they can get stuck.

allan