Hewes Reel

[sepiareverb]

I just loaded my first Hewes reel and can say that I'll never use a lesser reel again. Perfection that nearly loads itself.

I've used metal reels since 1981 and never found them to be much of a trouble, but these Hewes reels are incredible. Replaced one "regular" metal reel that I'd dropped, but now I'm replacing them all.

 

[snausages]

I used the cheap SS Kalt reels and half my frames were ruined.

I thought it was my fault.

Exchanged them for Hewes and haven't had a missed frame since.

I told Adorama they shouldn't sell the Kalt reels. Don't know if they'll listen, but it's irresponsible to sell merchandise that is guaranteed to ruin film.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've been using the higher priced Kalt reels for the last few years, and find that I've been backing up on most rolls here and there, nothing awful, but here and there. That's why I went for the Hewes this time. I'm not looking back.

 

[snausages]

Maybe I just got highly unlucky, but both my Kalt reels were bent and I bought them NIB.

 

[Roger Hicks]

There's an old saying:

Quality doesn't cost. It pays.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mgd711]

I bought some Hewes recently just to try and was amazed at how easy they were to load. I’ve ditched my plastic reels and now have 16 reel’s in 135 and 120 versions.

 

[pschauss]

I thought that the Hewes reels were the easiest to load until I tried an old Nikor reel. I still don't completely understand how it holds the film in place without a clip in the center or hooks to grab the sprocket holes, but loading the Nikor is about as close as you can get to being completely fool proof.

 

[visiondr]

Hewes reels are so good you can load them in total darkness and never make an error!

 

[visiondr]

Bob (sepia), I can't believe you've never used a Hewes until now!

 

[sepiareverb]

Maybe I just got highly unlucky, but both my Kalt reels were bent and I bought them NIB.

I returned two of the last four I purchased for this same reason.

Bob (sepia), I can't believe you've never used a Hewes until now!

I've still got reels that are 20 years old, and back then I had no idea there were different ones!!

 

[Al Kaplan]

The old Nikors were the gold standard compared to Kinderman and the various Japanese brands. The film is held in place by magic. I thought that was just common knowledge! As they get closer to their 50th birthday I'm getting less upset that they sold for $4.95 compared to $2.98 for the Japanese versions, but the magic is still there.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Finally, Bob. I'd been trying for the longest time to convince you to use those reels. I swear by Hewes. I'd never use anything else. Wouldn't even dream of it.

 

[thomasw_]

Bob (sepia), I can't believe you've never used a Hewes until now!

Yep that's what I thought when I read the post, Bob. You are more knowledgeable than most about darkroom gear and processes and I'd have thought you'd have been happily winding film on the Hewes reels since the stone age. BTW, Hewes makes the metal reels for the Jobo 1500 series containers and that system is nice to use.

 

[notraces]

Hewes rock! Just do yourself a HUGE favor -- and NEVER drop them! I dropped one and started to get the dreaded stuck film nasty stuff -- but I have a half dozen reels and it took me awhile to figure out which one it was! Reel thrown out -- and everything is good again...

 

[scott kirkpatrick]

I used eight Nikor reels in the '70s and '80s and never realized life could be different. Recently, I bought the cheap Kalt reels to restart with film (from B&H) and couldn't load film properly to save myself. Trashing them and buying the expensive Kalt reels solved the problem. I've filed my complaint using the onloine review facility on the B&H website.

 

[sepiareverb]

I'm one of those if it ain't broke kinds of fellas. Still use my first 2 reel tank, same thermometer I bought in 1983, play the same guitar, and I'd still be driving the same truck I got in 1990 if my kids hadn't gotten too big to fit in the cab with me. Actually I'd still be driving the 1984 Honda Civic 1500S that got 55mpg if the oil pan gasket hadn't failed while I was going 65.

Hewes rock! Just do yourself a HUGE favor -- and NEVER drop them! I dropped one and started to get the dreaded stuck film nasty stuff -- but I have a half dozen reels and it took me awhile to figure out which one it was! Reel thrown out -- and everything is good again...

Well having dropped two reels since 1982 I think I'm probably not due to drop another until 2023 or so.

When you're right you're right JJK. Now, about that Focomat...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

It's true, they are the best.

 

[Doug]

I've found that a bent reel is usually possible to straighten, when the two coils are slightly closer together on one side of the circle than the other. I use a 6" metal scale and check the gap between the coils, bending the center part until the coils are parallel again.

It's certainly true that some brands (or unbranded) reels are harder to load than others. i like the Kindermann reels, especially those that have at the center a formed metal recess for the film end and a tooth to hold it there. Not sure if any of my reels are Hewes or not, and the Nikors are fine but not my favorites.

Always important to get the film started straight and centered, then push the film strip at each rotation to maintain slack in the coil, avoiding kinking that comes with a tight wrap.

Film with a thicker base is easier to handle, and I think the most difficult is rolling 220 on reels of the same diameter as the 35 reels... then the wire thickness is so small it's harder to keep the film edges in the track, and of course the extra width of the film makes it floppier. I prefer the larger diameter tanks and reels for 220.

 

[-doomed-]

I love my hewes reel , i bought it used on ebay for $6.00 and find that it is the easiest thing to load.