Time to go with stainless steel?

Good move - Hewes 35mm reels have the prongs that hook into the sprockets, which makes centering the lead in the core much easier. Also a heavier gauge wire that holds its shape over time and accidental drops. Now, just order a replacement Kindermann top cover for your SS tank and you'll be set for life. Unlike the cheapo vinyl tops that come with generic tanks, they'll go for decades without springing leaks.
 
PMCC said:
Good move - Hewes 35mm reels have the prongs that hook into the sprockets, which makes centering the lead in the core much easier. Also a heavier gauge wire that holds its shape over time and accidental drops. Now, just order a replacement Kindermann top cover for your SS tank and you'll be set for life. Unlike the cheapo vinyl tops that come with generic tanks, they'll go for decades without springing leaks.
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I have a neat trick with Hewes reels. Push back the film once in a while and if you feel the film moves back just a bit without hindrance you are golden.
 
I've always used the paterson reels even when I was shooting film for newspapers and sometimes you get certain reels that just won't load they look fine but are just crap and only good for the bin, my advice with plastic reels is-
1. Make sure they are proper paterson ones.
2. when you cut or tear the end of the film to load try not to go through a sprocket hole.
3. The reels have to be bone dry.
4. If the film sticks half way tap the side of the reel this really does help.
5. If its still stuck then sometimes whats causing it is the corner of the end of the film is poking through the side and needs to be pushed back in line.
6. Sometimes it just goes all wrong no matter what you do😀
 
I've used Nikor stainless steel reels for many years with excellent results. If you are really in a hurry you can load two rolls on one reel by holding them together, back to back and winding like normal. It's a little tricky and you need to separate them for wash but I did it often when I had a lot to process and it was only for the college newspaper. Good stainless tanks and reels will last a lifetime. Humidity is a killer. Everything must be clean and dry. Joe
 
UPDATE.....

The three rolls I wanted to load and process today went on the reels without a hitch.

After today my backlog will at the scanner, not in exposed film cans.

I will try the one roll I tore yesterday in a SS reel and tank when they arrive during the week.
 
It's probably seen as a bit of a cheat by the "old pros" but I've got the Kindermann loader that goes with their stainless steel reels. The film slips under a plastic clip in the centre of the reel and the loader holds the film with the correct curve. Then you just turn the little crank on the side of the reel and the film winds on to it in a matter of seconds. It's virtually fool-proof and I've never had a botched roll (touch wood).
 
Sparrow said:
I've never used a changing bag, but among my friends they are a common factor in loading difficulties
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Yep ...sure is and the changing bag has the scars to prove it.
Drives me nuts and I go back to C41 for a while until I`m daft enough to try again.
Only thing that I`ve found more difficult is ....stainless steel 🙂
 
Used to use stainless reels in a past life but when I started up again a couple of years ago went with the Paterson plastic for both 120 and 35mm. Struggled big time with humidity in the change bag.

Recently bought a Hewes 120 stainless and apart from a bit of practice to clip the end in, is very easy to use. Today I tried an old 35mm LPL stainless that I had lying around and it also worked a treat. I don't think I will be going back to plastic any time soon.

I agree though, go with quality - HEWES. I had to wait sometime until B&H had stock.

Cheers - John
 
I am going to give the lightless room a try again, but I have to admit, I have done pretty well with a changing bag. In fact, yesterday was the first time I had any real problem with my process for film development. I shouldn't junx myself because I haven't souped today's stuff yet.
 
I am using Jobo 1500 plastic tank with their plastic reel or HEWES SS for this Jobo tank, perfect flawless working like a charm, my three Paterson tanks are watching and screaming/crying to be used, i shout on them, SHUT UP!!!!
 
I think I'm going to stick with plastic reels for 35mm (Paterson) and I can go either way for the 120 stuff...

I'm finding that the SS 35mm reels tend to wrinkle the first few frames on the roll...unless I'm doing something wrong and I don't think I am this is not acceptable...
 
nikon_sam said:
I think I'm going to stick with plastic reels for 35mm (Paterson) and I can go either way for the 120 stuff...

I'm finding that the SS 35mm reels tend to wrinkle the first few frames on the roll...unless I'm doing something wrong and I don't think I am this is not acceptable...
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I think it's a matter of practice. I do not get wrinkles on the first few frames, so it's not steel reels that cause that.
 
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