Need a better film reel

Bobbo

Bobbo

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What's a good make and model of steel film reel? I don't like Kalt reels (I have two of them sitting here, and I want to throw them out the window b/c of the shoddy "craftsmanship", as in they aren't parallell and I can't get any film to load on them at all). Yes, I do know how to load a film reel, these are just cheap POS reels, that's all. So, what's a better reel?
 
I use paterson plastic ones and they are quite comfy for 35 film.for medium format - pure anguish.I want to get a steel tank w reels for 120 film.
 
+1 for Paterson reels, I've used cheaper copies but they seem to snag more.

That's 35mm only though, dunno about anything bigger.
 
I would suggest finding some Nikor's or Omega's on eBay.
So far as I'm concerned, the stainless steel reels are the way to go. If the quality is bad, or they have been dropped, you're right, you can't load them properly. I treasure my old ones like they were gold! :cool:
 
I recently switched to steel reel too, I wish I hadn't imagined the more "recent" Paterson were bound to be better. I had only trouble with these; ihcluding having to waste the end of a 135 film and loosing 12 frames because the film wouldn't get completely on the reel.

Now steel is fantastic; nothing to fail. Just a minimum training with a spare junk film in daylight and total /bliss/ in the darkroom. I do 135 and 120, and I'll be steel all the way now, the paterson kit is already bined.

It's not only easier to spool, it also use less chemicals, and it even looks better :D
 
Hewes reels are the ones to use. Since I switched from Kalt, I've never mis-loaded a reel of either 35mm or 120.
 
Hewes reels are pretty foolproof... I tore my hair out trying the patterson and kwalt reels. With the hewes I couldn't mis-load if I tried.
 
Bobbo said:
What's a good make and model of steel film reel? I don't like Kalt reels (I have two of them sitting here, and I want to throw them out the window b/c of the shoddy "craftsmanship", as in they aren't parallell and I can't get any film to load on them at all). Yes, I do know how to load a film reel, these are just cheap POS reels, that's all. So, what's a better reel?
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I use the cheapest steel reels you can get: "General Brand" from B&H. I had spent $30 each on some Hawes but over time I ended up dropping both of them at some time or another and bending them, They were useless after that. I figured that cheap is good, if the reel is bent or becomes hard to load for any reason, just toss it out. I have about 8 of these in a drawer but the first two have been in service for about 8 months with no problem.


patrickjames said:
Am I missing out on steel reels guys? I never liked them in the beginning oh so many years ago. I used to use Patterson plastic tanks then several years ago I switched to Jobo, which I find to be extrememly easy to load. You can basically just push the film onto the reel. When all the stars align it takes only ten seconds. Anyone use these?
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You are not missing out on anything. I use a simple Kinderman 2 reel tank. I use steel because if I am going to do more than 2 rolls of film, or I am developing different films or using different developers in a single session I find the steel easier to clean and dry for the next batch. That's it, no magic, just cheap expedence.
 
Need a better film reel

bobbo, I've got a brand new stainless steel reel for 35mm, if you're interested...it's made in Taiwan, according to the original box and sold by Kalt in Chicago $5usd +$2shipping in U.S., paypal ok...
 
You can probably buy a buttload of Nikkor, Kindermann, and possibly Hewes reels online or at a local camera show. If even half of them are still aligned, that's a great deal. At my local shop, a hewes reel (not branded as hewes, btw, but I forget what they do call it) was $35. I got 10 Nikkor and Kindermann reels for $8 at a show, and after some simple testing in daylight found that 8 of them were good. That's a good deal.

allan
 
Do yourself a favour and get some Hewes reels from B and H for $20. I believe they are re-branded sometimes though I can't seem to find them on their website.

They are well made and so much better than cheap reels that I it's really not worth the frustration to use anything else. I say this as a former devotee of cheap plastic reels.

There really is no reason not to spend an extra $10 to avoid the frustration or ruined film of using a crappy reel.
 
Another vote for Hewes reels. And they do versions with larger centers to fit Paterson tanks, which could be useful if you have a lot of Paterson kit already.
 
Bobbo said:
What's a good make and model of steel film reel? I don't like Kalt reels (I have two of them sitting here, and I want to throw them out the window b/c of the shoddy "craftsmanship", as in they aren't parallell and I can't get any film to load on them at all). Yes, I do know how to load a film reel, these are just cheap POS reels, that's all. So, what's a better reel?
Click to expand...


Try the Hewes reels. Instead of a clip in the middle of the reel it has two prongs that catch the sprocket holes. I find it easier to to load.

Bob
 
okay, so what is the rebranded name at B&H? I can't find Hewes reels, so could somebody enlighten me?

Thanks,
Bob
 
plummerl said:
I will second the opinion on Nikors. The newer ones are terrific.
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Make that a third. Just as I feel about bicycle frames, plastic's fantastic, but steel's for real. But in this case, older steel is often better. Barring serious abuse, these reels, and their respective tanks, will last damn near forever. I got a bunch of Brooks and Nikor reels and tanks as part (the bigger part, in fact) of my "severance" from my last 9-5 job (along with a whole enlarger kit, which, alas, I have no means of using), and I wouldn't use anything else (although, if you must use plastic, Patterson is about the only game in town, IMO). Definitely check the 'Bay for these.


- Barrett
 
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