Film developing reel recommendations

Greg Maslak said:
I'm a long time Paterson plastic reel person. Here's a trick I didn't see mentioned in the thread. If you're having trouble with the film jamming up it could be because the film is thicker. This almost always happened to me with Ilford FP4 causing no end of grief. Now with a thick film such as FP4, I re-roll the film into my hand first so the leader end is on the inside and the spool end is on the outside. I then trim the spool end and feed it into the reel. That way the tighter wind of the film from the cassette goes in first and ends up on the tight spirals of the reel. No more jam ups. I learned this bit of magic from a Youtube video and it works every time.
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I do this with the Nikkor steel reels as well. The more tightly wound coils at the tail end of the film start more easily onto the reel, with little or no snap, crackle and crinkle.
 
I use kindermann metal reels with the plastic centres. They used to offer great loaders to match those reels. They consistently work like a charm
 
Hewes reels arrived, they are lovely but until I master loading them in a bag, I suspect I'll end up with other issues. I have a couple of test rolls for this purpose.

However, when I said Paterson reels - they are actually the Kaiser auto loading version for Paterson tanks. I discovered this when looking for a replacement Paterson reel to use until I perfect the Hewes.
 
Good Luck with New Spirals

Good Luck with New Spirals

CharlesDAMorgan said:
However, when I said Paterson reels - they are actually the Kaiser auto loading version for Paterson tanks.
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Are the Kaiser reels of the type that I've seen with the extra wide guide entry channels? I've read that they're a bit fiddly with 120 film.

PatersonSamigon2.jpg


The above image was borrowed from the link shown below.

400tx.blogspot.com/2006/06/fool-proof-samigon-reel.html
 
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tbhv55 said:
^^^ Having had more than enough of this, I've gone a bit radical (read: "expensive";)), and obtained a Lab-Box. :eek: I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I'll report back when I have. Others here on RFF have used it, and the reports seem to be (largely) positive.


Should you ultimately decide that you are willing to switch tank systems, then it might be worth considering. :)
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I've used every type of reel and tank system available in the past fifty some years since 1966. My favorites have been the old Kodak Kodacraft "lasagna" tanks (film goes in with a plastic separator that looks like a long flexy bit of lasagna noodle) and the Paterson System4 (not the autoload type with the ball bearings). I don't know why but mine have never gotten 'dirty' or sticky at all. I wash them thoroughly and let them dry thoroughly.

But about 8 or 9 years ago, I tried Agfa Rodinax 35U and 60 daylight loading tanks. I liked them so much I bought a couple of spares and have used them exclusively for all my film development since ... until the Lab-Box arrived.

I've processed three rolls of 120 film in the Lab-Box now. Works absolutely perfectly, better than the old Agfas... no leaks. No need for changing bag or darkroom, dry to hanging in 25 minutes. I'll likely order another one so I can do two rolls at the same time, but I don't shoot enough film to need anything more than that.

My 'darkroom' is now a 20x12x10 inch storage box on the shelf in my office. That holds all of the chemistry, beakers, graduates, tank, etc. The processing is done on the kitchen counter. Scanning is done with the copystand setup at my desk. Life is simple, and good. :D

G
 
Solinar said:
Are the Kaiser reels of the type that I've seen with the extra wide guide entry channels? I've read that they're a bit fiddly with 120 film.

PatersonSamigon2.jpg


The above image was borrowed from the link shown below.

400tx.blogspot.com/2006/06/fool-proof-samigon-reel.html
Click to expand...

I use these, and the only problem I've had is if your film is curled the first trip around it hits the entry plastic. So I have to make sure it passes, then I'm home free. I can't remember if they have a ball bearing but I pop that out if there is one.
 
I never liked the Patterson system. I have been using stainless steel reels and tanks for 40+ years, and have never experienced any problem loading them. They use less chemicals too.
 
I personally have had film jump track on hewes more than I have with Paterson (which jam instead) - maybe I should try jobo
 
When I learned to load metal reals I had my eyes closed (had a full darkroom then) and I found that even though I was in a fully darkened room I still closed my eyes at first. After a while, I was able to open my eyes and do it without problems. Every time I ran into a problem I would close my eyes, start over and that solved it.

If you practice outside of the bag with your eyes closed you might find better luck loading with your eyes closed even though you are using a bag.

YMMVBYFW (Your Mileage May Vary, But Your Fun Won't)

B2 (;->
 
I'll give that a whirl. I'll run off a length or two from the decayed roll of FP4 in the self loader my neighbour gave me. About time I gave that a go too!
 
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