Sticky reels - new kit?

[SebC]

So I've been having a lot of issues with film snagging when loading onto my patterson reel (35mm). I've read lots of threads here about what to do (and what not to do), and am still frustrated. The film goes on smoothly initially but gets steadily stiffer and it is practically impossible to get the last few frames on the reel without a snag.

Yesterday I gave the reel a really good scrub with a new toothbrush and hot water, and got the channels spotlessly clean. It was absolutely bone dry when I loaded it. My hands were freshly washed and bone dry. The film leader was immaculately cut. It still snagged.

However, the channels in the reel do look a little rough. I've read that plastic reels can get like this over time, and seeing as my reel was second hand that may be the issue?

So, my two options, as I see them, are:

Buy a new patterson reel
Buy something like a Hewes reel and stainless tank.

What would people recommend? There seem to be a lot of stainless reel fans on here.

Thanks,

Seb

 

[pschauss]

Hewes reel and stainless tank. The Hewes reels have a pair of teeth which hook onto the sproket holes. Rather fool proof. You might also look for a used Nikor reel. They have no clip in the center, the film just sits between two of the center posts. This allows the film to center itself so it is less likely to go into the spirals at an angle.

Whatever you choose, try loading a few times with a scrap roll of film in the daylight until you get the hang of it.

 

[tightsqueez]

I second the motion for Hewes SS reels and tanks. In college I used to develop dozens of rolls of film at a time and usually drank beer to numb the boredom. Never had any issues with these reels. Walking was a different story after four or five hours.

 

[johannielscom]

Paterson is my weapon of choice. If having bone dry reels does not get the job done, get yourself a new reel and you'll be fine.

The Hewes reels are made by Kinderman in the EU, but I managed to mess my film loading up with these without any effort...

 

[Borghesia]

I think you need new reels, but did you also tried to blow dry the reel first before loading ?

 

[Sparrow]

try the dishwasher first

 

[MCTuomey]

i've just changed to hewes reels myself. too early to judge but i'm interested in others' experience.

 

[sepiareverb]

Hewes reels. Incredibly better than any other reel. Simpler to load than other metal reels, and much simpler than plastic.

 

[Mablo]

Everyone says that Hewes reels are the way to go. So I sold my Paterson reels and tanks and invested a considerable sum in Hewes reels and tanks last spring.

After dozens and dozens of rolls I'm still struggling when loading 35mm film into a Hewes reel. My main problem seems to be the initial couple of rounds. I always manage to get a kink in the film and I lose a few frames. It's very irritating. Many times I find myself thinking I should go back to Paterson again.

 

[sepiareverb]

The only trick to metal reels is to keep the film bowed slightly, shiny side up, between thumb and middle finger. With the Hewes reels one simply hooks the film onto the teeth, gives it a little squeeze and winds. I never believed the hype about the Hewes reels until I tried one- simplest load ever for me. There is a good YouTube video demo.

 

[titrisol]

If you are happy with patterson like reels why change?
SS reels are different animals and you either hate or love them, I'd recommend you give them a try first.

Otherwise buy new reels, I prefer the Arista/Kalt/Besseler that have a big "lip" and make lading 120 film much easier.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

When my Patterson reels started binding up I switched to Hewes. They are the greatest--I couldn't load the cheap steel reels I first tried and figured I just didn't like steel reels...the Hewes are totally different.

The Patterson reels seemed to get a lot worse after I started developing C41.

 

[nikon_sam]

I vote for a fresh set of Paterson reels...

Another thing you can do is find an old discarded roll of film and use it as a test to see what's going on with the reels...load the reel in the daylight and see where it's snagging...

 

[wgerrard]

I rinse my plastic reels with a vengeance immediately after hanging the negatives to dry. With very hot water. So far, so good. Perhaps someone knows a good solvent for dissolving accumulated Photography Crud?

Count me, however, as one of those who can never get a Hewes reel to load correctly. I've got two new ones, with which I've practiced diligently. Even following all the Usual Advice, I still have the same problem as Mablo: More often than not, the film kinks in the first few turns around the spool.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Paterson is my weapon of choice. If having bone dry reels does not get the job done, get yourself a new reel and you'll be fine.

The Hewes reels are made by Kinderman in the EU, but I managed to mess my film loading up with these without any effort...

Kinderman are made in Germany, Hewes in England. They're not made by the same people. That said, both Kinderman and Hewes are top-level metal reels. Avoid off-brand cheapies, they are often not well aligned right from the box while the Kinderman and Hews are always perfect.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Everyone says that Hewes reels are the way to go. So I sold my Paterson reels and tanks and invested a considerable sum in Hewes reels and tanks last spring.

After dozens and dozens of rolls I'm still struggling when loading 35mm film into a Hewes reel. My main problem seems to be the initial couple of rounds. I always manage to get a kink in the film and I lose a few frames. It's very irritating. Many times I find myself thinking I should go back to Paterson again.

You're probably not getting it on the metal hooks straight. The hooks have to engage sprocket holes that are directly across the film from each other, or the film goes in crooked and will kink.

 

[Mablo]

Thanks for your advice Chris and Sepiareverb. I'll do some more practice and will not give up.

 

[SebC]

I'm guessing I can't use a Hewes reel in a Patterson tank?

If not, is this sort of thing suitable? http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/CP9074/

Also, are these tanks suitable for daylight use like the Patterson ones? I see no evidence of a baffle to block light like the plastic tanks use, but it may be incorporated into the lid, as it looks like it has a cap you can remove to fill/drain while leaving the lid in place?

Thanks,

Seb

 

[Sparrow]

Seriously put the plastic ones through the dishwasher and try them again.

what have you to lose?

 

[sepiareverb]

Yes Seb that is the tank you need- they come in single reel, two reel, four reel and eight reel sizes. I've never liked anything larger than 4 reel tanks, as the tank fills much more easily if tipped slightly to the side, and pouring more than a liter of chemistry into them is a bit of a drag. Lids have a light baffle, and the little cap allows for turning the tank upside down for agitating. The 4 and 8 reel tanks have an SS lifter rod that lets you get all the reels out of the tank at once.

There are those who use these tanks like the old sheet film tanks- lift the whole batch of film out of a developing tank and into a stop bath tank, then into a fixer tank. This would make the filling easier, but I find it easier to just use an extra tank or two.

The Paterson tanks need that spool the reels ride on to be light tight, it won't fit down the middle of the SS reels.