Hewes Developing Reels for 127 Film -New!

Thanks for making these available here on the forum! I am sure they are as nice in 127 size as they are in 120 and 35mm... The Hewes reels are the best.
 
No problem, Tim, I had you on the list with the wrong last name...sorry... I will change it for you. Thanks!

Thanks for making these available here on the forum! I am sure they are as nice in 127 size as they are in 120 and 35mm... The Hewes reels are the best.

You are welcome!

Btw, did you receive your film cutter/slitter? I am quite interested in how well that works!!! Let us know how it works for you!:):):)
 
Btw, did you receive your film cutter/slitter? I am quite interested in how well that works!!! Let us know how it works for you!

Should come today... Hopefully it'll cut the paper and film all in one operation, even though its going to mean doing the whole operation (cutting AND re-spooling) in the dark. I think for something like this, the less extra handling the better.
 
Update!

Update!

Whew... opt in/opt out... this is more fun than herding cats.:)
Just kidding! Lol...

Ethan, I have you on the list for two reels. Thanks so much!

We have three more reels available for this first order!
If anyone wants in on this first order, don't wait, let me know asap so I can put you on the list! Send me a PM!

Getting late... in the morning, I will take each request in the order it is received...

Thanks to all who are participating!:)
 
Should come today... Hopefully it'll cut the paper and film all in one operation, even though its going to mean doing the whole operation (cutting AND re-spooling) in the dark. I think for something like this, the less extra handling the better.

Well, checking it carefully it appears its designed (and sized accordingly) to cut the film separate from the paper. So, to accomplish what I want to do (cut the paper and film simultaneously), I might try adding some small shims to make the 127 film plane a little wider (since the paper is supposed to be wider than the film. I will also have to add shims on the other side as well since the 120 paper is wider than the 120 film.

OR, perhaps I will try biting the bullet and slicing the film separate from the paper, and then attach it to my existing 127 paper in the darkroom. Its some extra fiddling that I was trying to avoid, but it might not be too bad if I give it some forethought about how to have the film centered exactly right on the paper. I will fool with it this weekend.
 
Charles,

I am sure you will figure that out as usual, I wish I was not such a klutz and could offer you advice. It does seem easier to cut them separately.

Looking forward to seeing how this works out best!!!:)
 
Ok, we still have three (3) reels that will have to be claimed by someone. :)
Anyone else like to join in this group purchase? If so, send me a PM!

If so, please let me know today as we need to get this order wrapped and ready to go by Monday!

Thanks so much!:)
 
Updated list of those placing orders:

1. Dave
2. Charles
3. Bob
4. Shawn
5. Emile
6. Ethan

*note: 3 more reels can be made available as of this morning.
 
Well, checking it carefully it appears its designed (and sized accordingly) to cut the film separate from the paper. So, to accomplish what I want to do (cut the paper and film simultaneously), I might try adding some small shims to make the 127 film plane a little wider (since the paper is supposed to be wider than the film. I will also have to add shims on the other side as well since the 120 paper is wider than the 120 film.

OR, perhaps I will try biting the bullet and slicing the film separate from the paper, and then attach it to my existing 127 paper in the darkroom. Its some extra fiddling that I was trying to avoid, but it might not be too bad if I give it some forethought about how to have the film centered exactly right on the paper. I will fool with it this weekend.

Hey Charles,

As much as it would be convenient to do the paper and film in one pass, it really doesn't work out for a number of reasons. The two biggest ones for me is that the film should be narrower than the paper or you'll get much light leaking, and the 120 film and paper are both much longer than the 127 film and paper. I think you might have a problem rolling the amount of film and paper on a 120 spool onto a 127 spool and fitting it into the camera. Not to mention how the camera is going to respond after you pass frame 12.

What has worked for me is using a film changing tent (instead of a changing bag) or a perfectly black room if you have one, separating the 120 film from the backing paper, cutting the film to width with the slicer, cutting the film to the proper length with a scissors, then taking the backing paper from an old roll of 127, with the little piece of masking tape in the proper position attached to the backing paper, and starting from the tail end, wrap the cut film onto the backing paper, starting from the end and working back toward the beginning until the beginning of the film aligns with the piece of masking tape, taping it down, and you're good to go. This makes sure the film is wound "straight" on the spool with the backing paper (by waiting till it's all wound before taping the film to the backing paper). It sounds trickier than it really is, just takes a little practice.

Best,
-Tim
 
As much as it would be convenient to do the paper and film in one pass, it really doesn't work out for a number of reasons. The two biggest ones for me is that the film should be narrower than the paper or you'll get much light leaking, and the 120 film and paper are both much longer than the 127 film and paper. I think you might have a problem rolling the amount of film and paper on a 120 spool onto a 127 spool and fitting it into the camera. Not to mention how the camera is going to respond after you pass frame 12.

Surprisingly, I haven't found those to be serious issues, at least not for me. With my homemade chopper, I even do the slicing in daylight which probably goes against almost everyone's recommendations LOL. Keeping the 120 roll taped "closed" helps the ends stay lightproof while trimming, and after rolling the trimmed film onto a 127 spool (in the darkroom of course), I keep it out of the light as much as possible. I load the camera only in very subdues light. One or both edges of the film show a "little" evidence of light leaks, but never enough to get close to the image area. I see almost as much on the edge of my 120 negatives from my 120 cameras.

The real "unscientific" part comes in the darkroom when I cut the trimmed film to length while rolling it onto the 127 spool. In the dark, I cut off several inches of backing paper, then roll the paper and film onto the spool. Eventually, I get close to the end of the film so I backtrack a little and cut off some of the film. I use the width of my hand as a guide and I probably err on the side of not shortening it enough. I'd rather have a little leader here rather than cutting it short. Finally, I roll the rest of the paper on which I shorten after coming out of the darkroom. As long as its rolled on tight (and stays tight) its fairly lightproof. But like you observed, the paper is not wide enough on the other side so there is the potential for light leaks if not careful. My film and paper might be a little longer than factory but thus far the camera has handled it OK. Some other cameras, maybe not, so like they say, YMMV. The 120 film has a very long paper leader at the beginning, designed for the old 1902-era box cameras, so there is a lot of wiggle-room to trim.

I bought the Holgamods slicer (which came yesterday) because my homemade cutter liked to "drift" and make a finished 127 film that got wider and wider as the roll went along. Or, almost as bad, the blade would drift right at the beginning and chew up the roll as if I was chewing it with my teeth.

I am very tempted to try trimming the film separate from the paper. I might stick the paper backing on a metal yardstick, or something, and position the trimmed film on it with magnets to give me more of a chance to make sure its straight before I start rolling. I am sure its doable one way or the other!
 
I am very tempted to try trimming the film separate from the paper. I might stick the paper backing on a metal yardstick, or something, and position the trimmed film on it with magnets to give me more of a chance to make sure its straight before I start rolling. I am sure its doable one way or the other!

Getting the film to "square" with the paper wasn't as difficult as it might seem. As mentioned, I start from the tail end and loosely roll it first, until the film has been wound with the backing paper for at least three or four turns, and remember, the film can "float" at this time as it is not yet taped to the backing paper, so it's easy to get it "square" with the backing paper. Once it is properly aligned, then I roll it tighter.

Again, as you say, YMMV.

Best,
-Tim
 
Update:

The Hewes 127 reels were delivered overnight to me yesterday. They are very nice!

Bob, Charles, Ethan and Emile, they are on their way to you this afternoon, via USPS! You should receive your shipment on Monday. Tuesday at the latest.

:):):)
 
Update:

The Hewes 127 reels were delivered overnight to me yesterday. They are very nice!

Bob, Charles, Ethan and Emile, they are on their way to you this afternoon, via USPS! You should receive your shipment on Monday. Tuesday at the latest.

:):):)

Hey Dave, Congrats on getting he reels. I'd love it if you could post a picture of one so I can compare it to my old Nikor 127 reel.

Best,
-Tim
 
Hey Dave, Congrats on getting he reels. I'd love it if you could post a picture of one so I can compare it to my old Nikor 127 reel.

Best,
-Tim

Sure, Tim!

My computer is dead, so if you will PM me with your email address, I will send you some iPhone pictures.:)
 
The last 48 hours have been blissful in 127 Film land.

With apologies to John Lennon:

Plastic reels.
You had me
I never had you.
So, I am glad to say,
Goodbye!
Goodbye!

The Hewes reels are always a joy to use. Bob, Charles, Shawn, Emile, Ethan, I hope you will enjoy yours tomorrow as much as I do mine!:cool:
 
GEAR ALERT!

Last chance!
There is one and only one (1) original Hewes NOS 127 film developing reel left!

If anyone wants it, please PM me...:dance:
 
Today is Monday...

Has everyone received their Hewes reel(s)?

I know Bob has and he is out of town.:D

Emile has received his, too:D.
 
Back
Top Bottom