metal film reel

N

newfilm

Well-known
Local time
2:10 PM
Joined
May 30, 2014
Messages
286
Hey guys, I'm currently using the Nikkor brand stainless steel reel, it works ok, loads ok-ish, mangle the first frame some times, due to the way the negative is insert into the middle when loading, then I read about this Hewes reel, suppose to be the holy grail of stainless steel reel?

I wonder if I should get one, but they are expensive! almost $30 including shipping... for that kind of money I probably can get another FSU camera or another bulk film of my choosing...

So I guess my question really is if you guys ever use both the Nikkor brand reel and Hewes in comparison before? does it justify the high price?
 
I've tried a bunch of brands and wish I'd just bought the Hewes to begin with. It's really good, and, at least to me, the difference is not subtle. Much cleaner and easier loading, in my limited experience.
 
I think it is largely personal preference and built up experience. I trained myself to learn each type of reel. The only ones I never did like were the plastic tanks and reels.

But again, that is my preference and everyone else's is just as valid for them.
 
Nikor reels are as good as you can get but like any stainless reel if it gets bent even the slightest it's pretty much ruined. You may not be able to detect a bend but it doesn't take much. The expensive brand isn't immune.

I have a mix of Nikor and Kinderman and have no problems or loss of frames. The only reels I've owned that have been a problem were cheap Chinese reels I bought from Freestyle. I bought a dozen and they were terrible. They were so poorly made it was impossible to load them so I threw them in the trash.

The secret is make sure the reel isn't bent, leave a little more film at the head of the roll to insert into the center and practice practice practice. I have a couple dozen reels and have used some of them for over fifty years. If I drop one and it gets damaged it goes in the trash.
 
Have 3 of these and have been looking for more but writing on the reel is too small to read (my vision sucks). Can't recommend these enough. Takes about a minute to load one compared to 2 or 3 with other types.
 
I have found that the Nikor reels are slightly easier to load than the Hewes reels. On the Hewes reels you have to catch a sprocket hole on each side of the end of the film on two hooks on the reel. If you are off by one hole, the film does not go on straight and buckles. Sometimes it takes me a couple of tries to get started that way.

Using a Nikor reel I just slip the end of the film into the space in the center of the reel and it automatically goes on straight. As others have said, however, if your reel is bent, the film is never going to go on straight.
 
Slightly off-thread, but I've been surprised at the trouble some people report with plastic reels. Then I realized that I'm using a Jobo reel/tank, a type 1500 from the late 1980s; perhaps it's a bit better than the current crop of plastic reels & tanks?

~Joe
 
Hewes has been best for me, but Nikor, Omega and other well-mad SS brands haven good. With plastic I've only used Paterson and could not get along with them. Which means I hated them.
 
Every steel reel needs learning. And another iconic name reel Kindermann needs loading aid unit.
The only benefit of any steel reel is how clean it keeps after C-41, E6 and especially ECN-2.
But even for this I prefer plastic reel and tank. Where is nothing to learn. It is simple and have more frames capacity.
I hate steel reels, tanks.
 
I have both Hewes and Jobo tanks and reels

my first choice is Hewes - loads very easily and quickly

with the Hewes - I lightly squeeze the edges of the film , catch the sprocket holes on the pins attached to the hub, then turn the reel with one hand while continuing to lightly squeeze the loading film by the edges with the other - then tear off the plastic film spool at the end

with jobo - I have to use 2 hands to load the reel after feeding in the first part of the film, I always unwrap and take out the film spool first so I can use my little fingers for the film to spool off of while loading, I've always done it this way, but it's more tedious than loading a reel from the center.

also Jobo reels sometimes block the leading edges of the film, usually when 1/2 or more loaded, I always trim the leading edge corners so they are less likely to catch

all told - I go for the Hewes first
 
If it takes more than 30 seconds or so to load a stainless reel it's either damaged or you've not practiced enough. As to loading aid to help load Kinderman, I've never seen one in person and never had any more trouble loading them that Nikor or any other brand.

Forgot about Omegs, they're very good too.

I have a pretty good mix of stainless reels and really like the Nikor first and then all others are a close second.

Practice practice practice!
 
One more vote for Hewes. The Kindermann, Nikkor ones are not produced any more. I came quite late to the whole analogue party. :(

Plastic reels, even the Jobo ones, can be quite difficult to work with when they are wet or the channels are clogged up with gunk from wetting agents and other stuffs. If I can't slide in the film easily I know that it's time for the reels for a warm and slightly soapy bath. :)

As per Jobo instructions, I do the wetting agent step outside the the tank and reel - by holding the film on two sides and 'seesawing' it for 1 mins.

Regardless, I always wash the reels afterwards.
 
I've loaded all manner of metal reels in professional darkrooms and honestly, save yourself the agro and just get the Hewes. They really are the best and the sprockets are no tonly easier to catch (imo) but the also centre the film so going off track is *less* likely. I might also suggest getting the reels that will fit the Jobo cores, just in case you decide to splurge and get a Jobo processor down the road ;)
 
I prefer the plastic Peterson reels...(older style vs. the cheaper newer type) been using them since 1977.
I was given a bunch of Brooks SS reels in 35mm & 120 with a Nikor Tank...
I like the 120 reels but not so much the 35mm...the hardest part of the 35mm reels is starting...looking at the Hewes reels there is a better starting point in them.
 
Any difference with the Hewes vs. Nikor in the ease of loading without causing edge buckling/crinkling? I'm asking for both 120 and 35mm.

I never had a problem starting a film on a 35mm Nikor reel. I can't visualize why this would be a problem.
 
Hi there,

first of all look at Chris Crawfords video's.

The crinkling /buckling you mention is greatly reduced by gently squeezing the film in an arc while you load it.

Hewes are better. I have two different Hewes reels for 35mm one where you can leave the leader on and one where you have to cut it of, I prefer the first.
 
Arista steel reels are pretty much exact copies of hewes reels. They cost around 8 bucks on freestyle photo's site. I've used them for years.

Arista
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/9136-Arista-Stainless-Steel-Reel-35mm-x-36-exp

Hewes
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/140135-Hewes-Pro-Stainless-Steel-Reel-35mm-Reel

EDIT: actually, I may be mistaken. i think mine are Hewes. They have the little loading tabs, which seems to be patented. In which case, they're worth the cost imo. Arista's description says it has a spring clip.
 
Nikor reels have lasted me 50 years now, same ones. A few have been dropped and I straingtened them matching them with good ones.

I have been gifted with some off brands like Brooks ( they came in a Brooks tank ) and I find them impossible. They look similar to Nikors, but I can not load them with the lights on. The giftor did use them successfully.

I also just got an inherited Hews. Maybe it originally came with instructions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom