curmudgeon
Member
I just started developing film again after a 38-year layoff. Half an hour of watching TV while I repeatedly loaded one of my old Nikor stainless 35mm reels without looking was all it took to get the technique back. I have two reels, a 1-roll tank and a 2-reel tank - all Nikor.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Huh? You mean the spelling? Paterson: one "t." Nikor: one "k." (It's a tank, not a lens.) Jobo: one "b."
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
A properly functioning plastic reel is a pleasure to use; they're fast and easy.
As mentioned moisture is the main reason for jamming problems.
Use a hot blow dryer on the empty reels for one minute before loading if necessary to avoid difficulty.
Chris
As mentioned moisture is the main reason for jamming problems.
Use a hot blow dryer on the empty reels for one minute before loading if necessary to avoid difficulty.
Chris
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tunalegs
Pretended Artist
A bit off tangent, does anybody know who makes the stainless reels that have two teeth to engage the sprocket holes on film, instead of a fiddly clip? I remember I could load those much faster than any of the plastic reels or the stainless reels that use a clip. I thought I had one in my darkroom stuff but I don't.
Chris101
summicronia
Tuna, those are the Hewes reels mentioned above. They're alright but more expensive. If I stuff the leader in the middle of the reel and hold the film with a finger for the first turn, I can bypass the clip on cheap reels and they work just fine.
Midwinter
parkour to you
Have not seen them mentioned yet but is it wrong maybe to love the Yankee tanks? Have the Pattersons and the "steelies" never found a good rythem working with them so almost every roll I've ever developed have been in same same junkie plastic Yankee Master tank, even use the much hated big ugly Yankee brick for 4x5, always with good/consistent results........
DNG
Film Friendly
Patterson System 4... Never had a problem loading... Though I leave out some leader and start the loading in daylight.
But, you must clean them real good for next time.
Never tried Jobo., no reason to, since Patterson works fine for me.
But, you must clean them real good for next time.
Never tried Jobo., no reason to, since Patterson works fine for me.
geek
Member
Jobo, because they fit in my CPA2
Spanik
Well-known
Jobo anytime.
Got a Paterson super system 4 to try and just can't get away with the lid. I really don't trust it and it takes too much time to get it closed.
Got a Paterson super system 4 to try and just can't get away with the lid. I really don't trust it and it takes too much time to get it closed.
btgc
Veteran
Will not vote as I've never used Jabba tank so can't compare but Paterson SS4 works for me. I'm believer in a simplistic theory - start with anything available to you and switch if it doesn't work, just don't give up on first three tries (or rather, first ten, as three is just number for publicity).
traveler_101
American abroad
Not sure why this thread was revived, but here goes.
I ended up with Paterson by default. Went to B&H on a trip to the US with the intention of getting a steel reel system as per advice on this forum. They didn't have it in stock and they talked me into Paterson. I was told that it was less expensive and easier to load. Interestingly enough Jobo was never mentioned as an alternative.
Keep in mind I use 135 film only. My experience has been that the Paterson reals are sturdy and very easy to load - just as long as the film is kept from curling as you load it and assuming that the reels are bone DRY. Another thing about the care of the reels is never to put them in the wetting solution (they become sticky) and to wash occasionally with hot water and a dishwashing brush. Always rinse the reels thoroughly and and let them dry thoroughly before putting them away.
The only downside to Paterson is intermittent and minor leakage with inversion. Still, I could never imagine going to a rotary style system. I am accustomed to inversions; when you find formulae on the web or read discussions they are always written in terms of inversions.
Noting some earlier comments about using two reels even if only one is loaded: on those occasions when I have to develop one roll at time (as recommended with Tri-X, for example) I use only one reel. I fill with 500ml (590 is full capacity). I've never had a problem. This leaves the second reel dry to do a second roll immediately after the first.
I ended up with Paterson by default. Went to B&H on a trip to the US with the intention of getting a steel reel system as per advice on this forum. They didn't have it in stock and they talked me into Paterson. I was told that it was less expensive and easier to load. Interestingly enough Jobo was never mentioned as an alternative.
Keep in mind I use 135 film only. My experience has been that the Paterson reals are sturdy and very easy to load - just as long as the film is kept from curling as you load it and assuming that the reels are bone DRY. Another thing about the care of the reels is never to put them in the wetting solution (they become sticky) and to wash occasionally with hot water and a dishwashing brush. Always rinse the reels thoroughly and and let them dry thoroughly before putting them away.
The only downside to Paterson is intermittent and minor leakage with inversion. Still, I could never imagine going to a rotary style system. I am accustomed to inversions; when you find formulae on the web or read discussions they are always written in terms of inversions.
Noting some earlier comments about using two reels even if only one is loaded: on those occasions when I have to develop one roll at time (as recommended with Tri-X, for example) I use only one reel. I fill with 500ml (590 is full capacity). I've never had a problem. This leaves the second reel dry to do a second roll immediately after the first.
narsuitus
Well-known
I could not vote for either of the 35mm film developing tanks listed (Paterson or Jobo) because I have only used Nikor stainless steel tanks and reels for developing 35mm and 120 film (black & white and color).
I use the following three tanks:
4-inch tall tank (develops two 35mm reels or one 120 reel in 400ml)
7-inch tall tank (develops four 35mm reels or two 120 reels in 0.75 liters)
17-inch tall tank (develops eleven 35mm reels or six 120 reels in 2.25 liters)
The 7-inch tank is the one I use in my portable dark room.
Portable Dark Room by Narsuitus, on Flickr
RandyB
Member
I have all three, use all three. Most used is Paterson because I have 5 of them, 2nd most used is Jobo, I like them, but I cut my developing teeth with Paterson, The Nikor SS is not used very much mainly because I use high dilutation/oneshot developers and the tanks don't have enough volume for me. SS is great if you use full strength dev's and want to economize your chemical use.
giganova
Well-known
I'm a strong advocate for the JOBO. They are very well made, last a life time, and loading the film is super easy. Best of all:
I am able to simply push the film onto the spools inside my changing bag -- no hand cranking at all! The trick is to simply cut the start of the film roll to avoid any edges. Then you thread the start of the film into the spool, pull a couple of inches of film from the film cartridge, push it into the plastic spool, pull another 5 inches of film, push, etc. No jamming whatsoever and I'm done putting the film on the spool in less than a minute. Works like a charm, every time. If you want to see how I do it, watch this video! (not my video)
You will get more votes for the Patterson because more people use them, but I think the JOBO is a much better system.
I am able to simply push the film onto the spools inside my changing bag -- no hand cranking at all! The trick is to simply cut the start of the film roll to avoid any edges. Then you thread the start of the film into the spool, pull a couple of inches of film from the film cartridge, push it into the plastic spool, pull another 5 inches of film, push, etc. No jamming whatsoever and I'm done putting the film on the spool in less than a minute. Works like a charm, every time. If you want to see how I do it, watch this video! (not my video)
You will get more votes for the Patterson because more people use them, but I think the JOBO is a much better system.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Another option
Another option
I'm real impressed with the AP plastic tanks and reels I recently acquired.
Chris
Another option
I'm real impressed with the AP plastic tanks and reels I recently acquired.
Chris
giganova
Well-known
Chris, what's "AP"?
rodinal
film user
"AP" is the brand name of a Spanish manufacturer of photo supplies.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Box says "AP PHOTO INDUSTRIES, SL (Spain)".
In USA Freestyle sells these as part of their Arista Premium line.
Chris
In USA Freestyle sells these as part of their Arista Premium line.
Chris
btgc
Veteran
AP tank seems to be clone of Paterson, with red lid. Paterson also has balls which probably is very common for plastic reels.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
The "Arista Classic" tank has the Paterson/Omega style lid.
The AP/Arista Premium tank and reels are of a different design and IMO a nice upgrade to those.
Steel ball-bearings are commonly used for the load mechanism on various brands of plastic reels.
The AP plastic reels seem to load a little more smoothly than my old Patersons did years ago IIRC.
I no longer have a Paterson tank to check if the reels are interchangeable.
Brand new AP/Arista Premium tanks and reels cost less than used JOBO...
Chris
The AP/Arista Premium tank and reels are of a different design and IMO a nice upgrade to those.
Steel ball-bearings are commonly used for the load mechanism on various brands of plastic reels.
The AP plastic reels seem to load a little more smoothly than my old Patersons did years ago IIRC.
I no longer have a Paterson tank to check if the reels are interchangeable.
Brand new AP/Arista Premium tanks and reels cost less than used JOBO...
Chris