Trouble loading Paterson Universal 3 Reel

[Sid836]

I have trouble loading thin films like Ilford Surveillance 400 on the reel of my Paterson Universal 3 tank. Although T-MAX 400 and HP5+ load properly the other, being considerably thinner gets stuck. The reel is clean without any residuals from the past processed films. I have started cutting lengths of 24-26 frames of that film, but is there a trick to make them load an entire 36 frame length to the reel? Can I replace just the plastic reel with something better that will fit in the Paterson tank?

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

I may not be helping you much with this, but here are some thoughts. Yes, I also struggle more with thin film emulsions. The reason in my experience seems to be 1) that thinner films are easier to bend and an accidental pressure on the film can get it out of the track it's supposed to follow, 2) if the reel is still wet from previous use, thinner films get more easier stuck because of mere adhesion to the wet reel (I guess due to water surface tension), and being the film thinner it is also more difficult to "convince" to move forward. If one of the two cases is valid for you, you may try to do something about it.

Yes, you can improvise anything in replacement of yor reel, but it isn't going to be easy: what else than a reel can keep two meters of film from touching itself while being developed? If parts of the film adhere to each other during developemt, you can pretty much throw it away..

 

[Michael Markey]

Same problem for me ... its always hit or miss and I invariably end up cutting the roll.
Can`t seem to be able to use the steel reels either.
I use a changing bag and that doesn`t help because the humidity makes the emulsion sticky what ever the film.

 

[Photo_Smith]

The system 3 tanks use the clear plastic reel that uses the central tube as part of the reel adjustment which wears. My old one moves 2-3mm after all those years– can you put a system 4 reel on the central tube?
If not a new Super system 4 tank would be a wise purchase the reels are polypropylene and much easier to use and clean.

http://www.silverprint.co.uk/ProductByGroup.asp?PrGrp=1083

 

[wakarimasen]

I've struggled with the last three films that I developed. Nearly ruined one, which ended up damaged on a few frames. I've noticed that the small ball-bearings do not remain 'free' no matter how I clean and dry them. They seem to stick in one position, which prevents the film from advancing. Any tips on improving this, or is it best to just get a new real?

 

[Johnmcd]

I have always struggled with Paterson reels and I believe it's the ball bearings. I switched then to steel system many years ago and had more success. But when I started up again more recently, I started using the Jobo reels and have never stuffed a film since. No ball bearings. A great design feature is the 'cut-away' that allows you to actually feel the edge of the film and with thumb and forefinger inch the film through even under humid conditions and with thin film. I would highly recommend Jobo. They can be expensive though and I don't think they are made any more. I have just bought another two brand new 1520 tanks, each with 2 reels just in case.

http://www.jobo.com/System-Tanks-1500.854.0.html

Hope this helps.

Cheers - John

 

[Michael Markey]

I've struggled with the last three films that I developed. Nearly ruined one, which ended up damaged on a few frames. I've noticed that the small ball-bearings do not remain 'free' no matter how I clean and dry them. They seem to stick in one position, which prevents the film from advancing. Any tips on improving this, or is it best to just get a new real?

Despite regular cleaning they always seem to stick ... I ended up keep replacing them.
In four years of developing I`ve had as many failed rolls as I`ve had successful ones and now I tend to bite the bullet and send the stuff to Ilford.

 

[Ansel]

There is nothing more frustrating than having problems loading your film onto reels.

When I used the paterson reels I made sure they were bone dry before loading any film, and that seemed to help, but have now switched to stainless steel (hewess) and find them a lot easier once you get the knack of it, also use a lot less chemicals.

 

[Fraser]

I've got both plastic and metal but prefer the plastic over the years I've collected probably about 30 Paterson ones and some of them are just bad so I end up using the same reels over and over that I know work well. There are lots of good deals on the big auction site for Paterson reels.

 

[Michael Markey]

There is nothing more frustrating than having problems loading your film onto reels.

I always think its film developments little secret ...everyone is so intent on telling you its so easy 🙂

Constant frustration and the consequent increasing cost of having the stuff developed by a lab has reduced my film usage dramatically.
Its something which I regret.
Clearly there`s a knack to this which I`ve never got.

 

[Fraser]

I think it's just practice, if you are having trouble the only thing i would say is make sure you cut the film at the end to start nice and straight and then cut the corners a wee bit to stop it getting stuck, make sure the spiral is perfectly dry and if it gets stuck half way bang the spiral on the side. It's also much easier to load in a darkroom rather than a changing bag,
Good luck.

 

[Michael Markey]

I think it's just practice, if you are having trouble the only thing i would say is make sure you cut the film at the end to start nice and straight and then cut the corners a wee bit to stop it getting stuck, make sure the spiral is perfectly dry and if it gets stuck half way bang the spiral on the side. It's also much easier to load in a darkroom rather than a changing bag,
Good luck.

Thanks.
Yep ...do all those things apart from banging the reel .... that`s too tempting 🙂
Oh and the darkroom ...I`ve had a bash at setting one up but I`ve nowhere really suitable.
Thought of one of those small changing tent things but they seem expensive.

I think that you are correct though ...provided everything else is attended to the changing bag is the big inhibitor .

 

[wakarimasen]

I use a bag and it's a bit of a fight at the best of times. It always collapses where I want space, and I'm obsessed with not handling the film.

I saw a youtube video once, where someone had used a large cardboard box, with access holes cut into it. To these holes were attached the 'sleeves' from a changing bag. Imagine a blacked-out box for handling nuclear material and that's pretty close.

It's made me think: if I had a frame inside the changing bag - something like that used in collapsable tents - that would make things easier!

 

[yanchep_mike]

I am with John on this one, have 2 sets of Paterson type tanks fairly new and recent with Bal Bearings in the reels, great idea , in practice crap, have also a 40 year old Jobo 1000 tank also with 2 reels less chemicals and never a problem.
Look for Jobo if you can get it.

 

[KenR]

I not had problems with the ball bearings, but with moisture or humidity on the plastic channels that make it impossible to wind the film on to the reel. This is not much of a problem in the winter in New York when it's relatively dry, but in the summer, when it's humid, it can make things very difficult. And of course, the more I struggle, I start to sweat which makes the situation even worse.

 

[rjschell]

Try a Hewes (made in England) metal reel. It'll cost about $30, but it's well worth it. You'll be amazed.

 

[Fraser]

Try a Hewes (made in England) metal reel. It'll cost about $30, but it's well worth it. You'll be amazed.

Funny I've got some hewes and Nikor (or maybe Nikkor) which are meant to be the best and just can't get reliable with them maybe I should get some practice!🙄

 

[Vics]

The Hewes staimless steel reels are very easy to load. I've never had a problem with them. I used System 4 for years with all the same kinds of problems of jammed films, etc. Save yourself the trouble. Get the Hewes reels and some stainless tanks now!

 

[wakarimasen]

Our dishwasher is currently attacking my reels 😱

 

[Fraser]

Sorry to hijack but it may help the OP and others, I just had a look at my metal reels and had a go and even in daylight I have trouble loading them, I've loaded thousands of films on the plastic reels used them when I was a staff photographer but I do like the idea and the compact size of the metal ones, so I wonder if these are Nikor reels and thats why I'm having trouble, my tanks are as they have Nikor on the bottom.
What do you think?


Cheers.