Time to go with stainless steel?

[rover]

Very frustrated right now.

The good news is that I have three rolls loaded and ready to be processed, later today or tomorrow.

The bad news is that I have 4 more to go, and I am too frustrated to try to load them onto reels and into tanks. (maybe too much coffee this morning, but I am blaming the reels)

2 rolls are just refusing to load onto multiple reels. I use Paterson System 4 stuff. I have had problems in the past with film binding while loading, but never like today's ordeal. One roll actually has ripped along the edge and is a total lost cause to get onto a plastic reel at this point.

So, are the same problems encountered when using SS reels? Do you think I could get my ripped roll on to a SS reel? Should I just let the caffeine get out of my system and give it another go?

I don't think there are any actual shops around me anymore who may have darkroom stuff, so that means if I do want to try SS it will have to be next weekend after I make an order from B&H or Freestyle.

 

[ChrisN]

Frustrating! This is with 35mm film? Something wrong there! Many folks have no problem loading SS reels; I can manage 120, but found 35mm too difficult compared with my Paterson reels.

You do need to keep the Paterson reels clean and free of any Fotoflo residue. I scrub mine with an old toothbrush occasionally, and rinse them under very hot water after every use. Also check that the little ball-bearings move freely in their slots.

Are you working in a changing bag? That makes everything much harder. Try it in a dark room with some working space, at night if necessary.

 

[Pete B]

I often feel the same with 120. It's difficult finding steel tanks in the UK. Lots of SS reels are available. I wonder if there're any SS reels compatible with plastic tanks, ie don't allow light in.
Pete

 

[ruby.monkey]

Hewes reels, at least in 35mm size, are available with a centre hole sized for Jobo tanks.

 

[rover]

35mm Chris... I do give my reels a good washing after use, even sometime run them trough the dishwasher without detergent to get off any gunk. I agree, I think those little ball bearings are the problem. I checked them all before trying to load this film which is one of the reasons for my ire. My reels are all a few, 5 or more, years old. I guess they may have to be replaced every once in a while.

Any hope for my torn roll? Ideas?

 

[helen.HH]

i 'FEEL' for YOU...

I once read a thread by Mfogiel/Marek giving High Praise to SS reels
so SILLY Me ran out & bought a set...worst negs I ever developed
first of all It took me near an hour to roll the two....:bang:
once developed I had so many Scratches the negs were RUINED
I was only able to salvage one shot which lucky for me
the Scratches seem to Add Character to the Shot...lol

so I Happily went back to my Paterson Tank and Plastic reels
In ALL honesty I have NEVER had a problem with them ...fast , smoooth, EASY to roll...Pure Ease & pleasure ...😀

I must have been nuts to have switched for a Day...
Cheers- H

 

[rover]

my free reels will get the tooth brush treatment today in hopes that will make the situation better.

 

[Livesteamer]

I've put thousands of rolls thru stainless reels. Practice on a dead roll to get the feel of it. The key seems to be that your hands and the reels and films must be clean and dry. Humidity will make the film stick and not slide smoothly. Perhaps that has been part of the difficulty. Good Luck, Joe

 

[helen.HH]

needless to say I HATE SS reels....
here is the only shot I could salvage...the scratches seem to work here

 

[ruby.monkey]

I didn't even know it was possible to scratch negatives when loading them onto a stainless steel reel. 🙂

I round-filed my System 4 kit due to the pain of loading easy-load reels, and due to the annoying dribble of solutions I kept getting on my hands when trying to invert the tank - and the cramp in the ball of my thumb when I tried twiddling instead. A Kindermann tank and Hewes reels made the whole process so much easier, and left far fewer dents in the walls from frustration-propelled equipment.

 

[helen.HH]

I didn't even know it was possible to scratch negatives when loading them onto a stainless steel reel. 🙂

Dear Rubymonkey
If there's a First Time Disaster with Film/Developing I'm bound to have experienced it...😱

Best- H

 

[Sparrow]

Are you using a changing bag Rover? ... that seems to be a frequent factor in loading difficulties

 

[rover]

I have always used a changing bag. I find my eye hand coordination is much better using one. Some how when I go into a dark room I grow extra thumbs. I don't think that is a factor in my situation.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Plastic reels are the easiest for me. I've used only plastic for decades. They do have to be perfectly dry, though, or are a real pain. Even really high humidity (common here in East Texas) can be a problem. I give them a good going over with a hair dryer to be sure they are dry if there are any issues. Never have gotten along with stainless reels.

 

[rover]

In an effort to compound my problem I have packed a few rolls of film along with my M6 into a bag and I am heading out to run some errands. If things go right I will have more film to load onto my disobedient reels when I return in a couple hours.

Thats a good thing, right?

 

[Sparrow]

I have always used a changing bag. I find my eye hand coordination is much better using one. Some how when I go into a dark room I grow extra thumbs. I don't think that is a factor in my situation.

I've never used a changing bag, but among my friends they are a common factor in loading difficulties ... I wondered if humidity or heat were a possible cause.

 

[jljohn]

I too use a Peterson system, and, while it is the best system for me, the little ball-ratchet thing doesn't always work as it should. My experience is this: 1) any more than about 10 minutes in the changing bag/tent and the humidity rises high enough that the film gets sticky; 2) those ratchet balls must be cleaned regularly and you must check to make sure they move freely before going in the bag; 3) it is actually easier to ditch the ratchet mechanism. Start the film in the track and instead of ratcheting the film in, simply grasp the edges of the film and gently push it in. It will slide in with ease, the reel will not rub against the emulsion, and there are no ratchet ball issues. I find that it goes just as fast as ratcheting, even when the ratchet works perfectly!

 

[daninjc]

There is a HUGE difference in my experience between cheap (freestyle) SS reels and expensive (Hewes) ones. I tried both and hated the cheap ones - I was NOT even able to load film on them after 1 hr trying. I throw them and got Hewes one - now I have 4 of them. I've loaded hundred films on them and it's another world: super easy - almost fun - and never had a scratch. Just get Hewes reels.

i 'FEEL' for YOU...

I once read a thread by Mfogiel/Marek giving High Praise to SS reels
so SILLY Me ran out & bought a set...worst negs I ever developed
first of all It took me near an hour to roll the two....:bang:
once developed I had so many Scratches the negs were RUINED
I was only able to salvage one shot which lucky for me
the Scratches seem to Add Character to the Shot...lol

so I Happily went back to my Paterson Tank and Plastic reels
In ALL honesty I have NEVER had a problem with them ...fast , smoooth, EASY to roll...Pure Ease & pleasure ...😀

I must have been nuts to have switched for a Day...
Cheers- H

 

[morback]

If you do chose to try SS reels, do not cheap out. Buy HEWES only. Anything else will fail. Personal experience.

I came from Patterson. After learning how to load SS reels (check youtube), I would never go back. It's super easy and you will never have jammed film. 120 with the clip is a bit more problematic initially.

Best of all, I only rinse after using them. They won't go yellow they won't cake up, and as long as I don't step on them, I will never need to replace them. You can even use them if not perfectly dry.

 

[rover]

Humidity... I was above my one cup of coffee in the morning limit, and the caffeine does raise the body temp, and therefore perspiration. That could be a factor. I just washed my free 6 reels, toothbrush used heavily to make sure the bearings are free and cleaned. I will let them dry well and try again tonight or tomorrow morning.

I guess I have sweaty hands and forearms.