First time developer ...

[RetroGo]

I'm taking the plunge to develop my b&w film (35mm & 120/220), for the first time. And my first question is about tanks and reels. Jobo or Patterson?

 

[srtiwari]

Retrogo,
I have been doing some developing for years off and on, and recently started again. there are many options- Brands, Steel vs plastic, various developers, techniques, film etc., etc.
I find the AP Paterson and the Yankee plastic ones are the easiest, though some find steel the best ones you have become proficient. The plastic ones can be adjusted- 35mm to 120 etc.
Hope this helps.
Subhash

 

[mrb]

I too recently plunged back into b/w film developing. When I last did it (more than 3 decades ago, in high school), we used steel tanks and reels, so I decided to go that route. I've had good luck and success with Hewes stainless steel reels, and a series of frustrating, profanity-laced, fist-pounding, hair-pulling failures with the somewhat cheaper Arista steel reels. I guess you get what you pay for, at least when it comes to stainless steel reels.

 

[charjohncarter]

I use a Jobo, I have never had a problem with it. It's plastic but I have zero problems loading it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Not a lot in it (Paterson/Jobo) but I fractionally prefer Jobo. In stainless, Hewes, every time. You might care to look at

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how choose dev tank.html

and other associated free modules on choosing and using dev tanks in 35mm and 120

Cheers,

r.