Question about film developing reels

[Norkusa]

After a 10+ year break, I've decided to start shooting film again. The labs near me charge $16 to process a 36exp b&w roll, so I figure it'll be a lot cheaper in the long run if I do it myself. Sold off all my processing equipment several years ago though, so I'm currently looking at buying new gear.

One of the items I'm hung-up on are developing reels. Back when I was a student, I've always had trouble loading the film onto the reels (stainless steel & plastic). Half the time it would bunch up leaving big sections of my film ruined. There was one reel that I always had 100% success with though:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...140PDR35_Professional_Stainless_Steel_35.html

Unlike the cheapie steel reels that had the wire clips in the middle, these had 2 small nubs that would latch into the film sprocket holes and made spooling the film much easier. The problem is, they're $40 per reel and I'd like to get at least 2 of them for a 2-reel tank.

Are there any other manufactures that sell these types of reels at a cheaper price? Or any other idiot-proof reels that I should look at?

 

[imush]

Hewes reels are the ones I use; they are somewhat cheaper than the Tundra you arelooking at.

Yes, they do latch on to 35mm sprocket holes and are sturdy enough not to bend accidentally. I think you'll like those.

PS it seems, in fact, that these are the same reels as Tundra.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

the stock photo shows a different reel than it actually is, but the Hewes reels are the same Tundra...albeit only $10 less:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/714526-REG/Hewes_EKC009_35mm_Stainless_Steel_Developing.html

 

[ruby.monkey]

$80 for a lifetime of hassle-free service seems like a bargain to me. 🙂

I bought half-a-dozen Hewes reels (which work and cost pretty much the same as these) and I've never felt like I wasted my pennies.

 

[Norkusa]

Thanks for the tips, Hewes it is then. Hopefully I can score a couple used ones on Ebay for a bit less.

$80 for a lifetime of hassle-free service seems like a bargain to me. 🙂

Heh, true. If they were $50 per reel though, I'd still buy them. It's just that I haven't done film in years and was wondering if there were any alternatives. Actually I'm kind of surprised that film reel technology hasn't changed at all in the last 20 years.

 

[drewbarb]

The type of reels you are looking at are the best, hands down. Hewes makes them, but they are often sold under other names- Jobo SS reels used to be the exact same ones- even marked Hewes once you got them out of the Jobo package- and those sold for a bit less. The nubs that grab the sprocket holes help to align the film, and the thicker gauge wire holds it more readily in the correct position. They are pricey, but absolutely worth it. I wouldn't even look at other reels. Sometimes they come up for sale on ebay, photo.net and other places, and you might get them a bit cheaper that way- but the wait and gamble on used reels might not be worth it.

 

[Norkusa]

Just saw this Kinderman reel on B&H's used store. Are these the same as the Hewes/Tundras? They look a little different:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800802212-USE/Kindermann_EKM117_35mm_Stainless_Steel_Reel.html

 

[n5jrn]

Only recently started developing my own and chose Hewes reels based on extensive research, and they've worked fine for me. When it comes to something I have to do in total darkness, I figure it is best to pay for quality up front rather than pay for the lack of it in the form ruined rolls of film caused by misloads.

So far as I know, Hewes is the only name-brand manufacturer of metal reels left; all the others of new manufacture are from some or another anonymous factory in China. And given how easily metal reels can be damaged by mishandling, I wouldn't want to risk buying used ones.

 

[drewbarb]

Just saw this Kinderman reel on B&H's used store. Are these the same as the Hewes/Tundras? They look a little different:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800802212-USE/Kindermann_EKM117_35mm_Stainless_Steel_Reel.html

No- this is not the same type of reel. I wouldn't buy this.

 

[n5jrn]

No- this is not the same type of reel. I wouldn't buy this.

Nor would I. Kindermann was a first-rate brand, but they're no longer making tanks and reels. These are used, and from what I've read it's easy to damage a metal reel by dropping it on the floor. Once the two spirals become misaligned, even by a millimeter or two, it becomes darn near impossible to load a metal reel. Wouldn't want to take the chance that's happened to a used one I'm buying.

 

[FPjohn]

The Kindermann reel is of the same quality as the Hewes but a tad more difficult to start in the dark. I use both.

yours
FPJ

 

[pschauss]

Freestyle has the Hewes reels for $19.99. That's more in line with what I paid for mine several years ago.

 

[crispy12]

I use the AP developing reels which are plastic. They have a plastic catch at the end to secure the sprocket holes and are very easy to load.

 

[sepiareverb]

Watch for the Hewes reels on ebay- you'll find them at quite a savings. I got all mine that way. I've always used metal reels, and used whatever brand-X reels for years and years. Rarely ever messed up a roll, but loading sometimes took a while. Since getting the Hewes reels I can load faster as it is virtually impossible to get the film on crooked. Well worth the small amount extra they cost.

 

[BobYIL]

What's wrong with the Nikor reels? I have been using them since decades and they cost next to nothing these days...

 

[pdima]

I use the AP developing reels which are plastic. They have a plastic catch at the end to secure the sprocket holes and are very easy to load.

I also use the AP compact reels and found them quite good, easier to load than jobo or patterson I tried. Especially with the medium format film.

It's important to ensure such kind of reels are not even slightly wet, it's impossible to load film otherwise.

 

[Pirate]

What's wrong with the Nikor reels? I have been using them since decades and they cost next to nothing these days...

They're hard to find 😀


My school photo department uses Kinderman tanks and lids (their lids/caps are the best) but have Hewes reels. I started off with the big plastic reels and liked them a lot but they don't fit into the dryer machines, so I learned to use the metal Hewes reels and have been more than happy with them.

Again about the tanks and lids- Kinderman is the best I've found for not leaking in the metal container area.

 

[sepiareverb]

What's wrong with the Nikor reels? I have been using them since decades and they cost next to nothing these days...

The center of the Hewes reel has a very different clip- sorta Manta Ray shaped, which grabs ahold of the sprocket holes so the film always goes on perfectly straight, never requiring one to back-up and re-align a roll.

 

[newtorf]

I bought my first development kit from CL. It comes with three 8oz stainless steel development tanks, 4 reels, and a watson bulk loader that still had about 50 feet long expired kodak plus-x films in it. I randomly picked one tank and two reels and started my journey of film photography.

One of the initial three rolls was completely ruined because of loading issue. There were three to four rolls that have a couple of exposures ruined due to loading. After ten rolls of films, even though every time one reel always gives me a little bit trouble, I never have had any problem again. And I even do not bother switching another unused reel.

I think practice is my best friend.