Unicolor Film Drum II- 120 reels

[Zonan]

Just got used kit. Looks like all four reels are 35mm-only: don't seem to come apart like paterson ones do to adjust to lead 120 film. Am I right that I will need to get 120-specific reels for 120? Or can Paterson reels (I don't have any) work in the Film Drum?

thanks,

Rick

 

[Nokton48]

Unicolor reels are the only ones I use in mine, I also have the "Big Film Drum" which is double-wide. The 120 reels work great with 120/220 film, and the 35mm reels do their job well. I have four rolls of 120 loaded right now in my Film Drum, going to run it in Pyro PMK+. Works just as well as a JOBO, imo.

 

[wruzin@tampabay.rr.c]

Unicolor Film Drum Reels

Unicolor Film Drum Reels

I have two of the Unicolor film drums and use them regularly. The reels are non adjustable, unlike many other brands that can convert from 35mm to 120. Also, Paterson reels do not fit the Unicolor drum. Getting 35mm Unicolor reels is fairly easy; the 120 size reels are far more scarce. Keep checking eBay, they pop up every once in awhile. Be aware that the drum will most likely have leaking issues as well. The gaskets, made of a slippery plastic material, are almost always worn out. These things are probably 30 years old, afterall. I got some gasket material at the auto parts store and fashioned a new one. It seems to work fine. Good luck.🙂

 

[Nokton48]

I bought a bunch of extra gaskets directly from Unicolor. They eventually leak, I put the Uniroller in a plastic square tub, and put Paterson 5x7 trays underneath both sides, to catch the spillage. Used it for hundreds of rolls of 120/35 C41, the insulated jacket works great, with a high temp presoak. Used to run E4 and some E6 in them, too. Works just great.