stand development: plastic vs stainless steel reels

[ymc226]

I am going to try either Acros or Plus X with Rodinal 1:100 x 1 hour or 1: 200 x 2 hours after 1 minute of gentle inversions.

I only have Patterson type plastic reels and don't want to have to buy and learn how to load SS reels.

Does it matter significantly if I use plastic rather than SS reels in this specific case?

 

[Robert Hooper]

I have found genuine Honeywell-Nikor or Kindermann reels to be superior to the plastic reel processing systems I used to use as an amateur. Plastic reels tend to cause chemical surge marks on the film edges which bleed into the exposed frame areas. This is especially apparent after long developing times.

Stainless reels are easy to load with a little practice. Practice loading one with an old strip of film in the light until you can do it without difficulty. Then close your eyes and try it till it becomes second nature. It's really no big deal.

 

[ChrisN]

I've used plastic reels with the dilutions you list and times up to 1 hour 30 minutes. I do like to agitate very slightly by swirling the tank gently for 15 seconds half way through the total time.