120 stainless steel reels

michaelsalomon · Nov 2, 2005

who makes the highest quality 120 stainless steel reels? or are all reels created equally?

I've been using reels I purchased from BH, kalt is the manufacturer and they seem to bend easily (im not throwing them around the room) and any slight bend throws the loading all to hell...that horrid crinkle and crack you hear when loading film...worse than nails on a chalkboard.

i've been looking into reels made by kinderman, along with what seems to be a 120 film loader that seems rather nifty

any thought would be appreciated!

Kevin Caulfield · Nov 2, 2005

Hewes (UK) make the best. B&H sell them as "King Concept". I bought some of the Kalt reels from B&H and haven't even used them as they looked too tricky to load. The Hewes 120 reels are very easy to load. They are more expensive but well worth it.

Guillaume Zuili · Nov 2, 2005

I agree with Kevin, Hewes are the best.
They exist in 2 versions. For metal tank and for Jobo.

Lee Shively · Nov 2, 2005

Hewes is certainly the best but I use the cheap reels. While cheap 35mm reels are often out-of-alignment new in the box, all the cheap 120 reels I've ever used have been okay. I've also never had one to bend easily. Compared to the lighter gauge metal and the narrower channels in the 35mm reels, 120 reels seem to be pretty forgiving. The only reel problem (pun intended) I've had with cheap 120 reels is that sometimes the center clip is useless. I even have a cheap 120 reel with the clip mounted backwards. It's still useable but I have to remember which one it is or it becomes impossible to load in the dark.

SuzanneR · Nov 2, 2005

I have several cheap 120 reels, and I would agree, that sometimes the clips are totally useless. Especailly frustrating when it's a new reel. If buying new, and you want to make sure it'll be a good reel, get the Hewes. Expensive, yes... but they'll last, and most importantly your film won't get mangled! I recently bought some used ones at a camera store near here that's gone digital, but I was able to check the clips, and they've worked out. That said, I still like my two Hewes reels the best, though! Film just glides on so easily!!

JustK · Nov 2, 2005

My vote goes for Hewes/King Concept too! The 35mm reel has sprockets on which to hook your film easily and securely, and the 120mm reel has a light spring, never had a problem ever with either. I watched too many students in my community college classes struggle with the cheaper reels and end up with disastrous results because of improper loading. I once lost half a roll of film and vowed never to use those cheap reels again. Worth the money! Cheers, Krystyna

Mongo · Nov 2, 2005

One more vote for the Hewes reels. Although I've never been able to get the hang of loading 35mm onto stainless steel reels, the Hewes 120 reels are one of my best buys. I'm a cheapskate by nature, but some things are worth spending money on, and 120 stainless steel reels fall into that category for me. (I do, however, use generic plastic reels for 35mm. This is based on my inability to properly load stainless steel rails for 35mm film. And to those of you who desire to tell me the right way to do it, don't waste your time. I'm simply unable to do it even with the lights on...I think it's a mental defect.)

Be well.
Dave

SuzanneR · Nov 3, 2005

Mongo said:
One more vote for the Hewes reels. Although I've never been able to get the hang of loading 35mm onto stainless steel reels, the Hewes 120 reels are one of my best buys. I'm a cheapskate by nature, but some things are worth spending money on, and 120 stainless steel reels fall into that category for me. (I do, however, use generic plastic reels for 35mm. This is based on my inability to properly load stainless steel rails for 35mm film. And to those of you who desire to tell me the right way to do it, don't waste your time. I'm simply unable to do it even with the lights on...I think it's a mental defect.)

Be well.
Dave

Have your tried the Hewes 35mm ss reels?? The only way to go for 35mm as well!

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 3, 2005

Another vote for Hewes. If you think you might ever shoot 220, get the 220 reels. I find a Hewes 220 reel easier to load than a cheap 120 reel. Some people have a worry about the closer spacing of 220 reels, but I've never had any problem with it. The spacing is the same as for a 35mm reel.

Phillip P. Dimor · Nov 4, 2005

Hate to jump on the end and say what everyone else has said but.. Get the Hewes/King Concept reels for 120. The clip on the Hewes is wider and more 'positive',
it's much harder to misalign the film.

The very first few times I loaded 120ss reels, I would literally push the film onto the reel and it worked fine provided the reel was dry.

The cheap reels work too and once you get the hang of it they are workable, but I have much less fuss with the Hewes reels.

I've never tried Hewes for 35mm but have liked the Kindermann ss reels, especially with the 35mm loader.

mgb74 · Nov 4, 2005

I've also given up on metal reels but have never tried Hewes (I think).

I have a local store that typically sells used reels (never in original packaging). Does it make sense to try to buy the Hewes reels used, or are they likely to be misalligned by use/abuse?

If it does, how would I recognize them? Are they labled somewhere on the reel itself? Are there distinguishing characteristics (hard to tell from the pictures I've seen online)?

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 4, 2005

I don't go out of my way to purchase used reels, but I've gotten some occasionally in purchases of other equipment, and as expected, it's hit or miss. If you can buy them on eBay in a large lot for cheap where you can test them in daylight first and toss any bent ones, that might be the best way to save a little money, but if I really need another reel, I purchase it new.

If you look at some new Hewes reels online, I think the easiest way to tell them apart is by the shape of the clip in the center. You might also notice that the support wires are a little heavier than the ones on the cheap reels, but that's harder to tell unless you have two types side-by-side.

Claude · Nov 4, 2005

I'm using jobo reels since year, so I'm a newbie for stainless reels. My question is perhaps stupid but in wich drums do you use these reels ?
Claude

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 4, 2005

Stainless steel inversion tanks are pretty much indestructable and not terribly different from each other. Kindermann tanks are a little nicer, but more in an aesthetic than in a functional way. I've bought many of them used in different sizes, so I can always process with a full tank.

If I'm doing lots of film in mixed formats, I sometimes just use my 5x7" deep tanks and lifter rods for the rollfilm.

I do recommend getting new Kindermann lids for old tanks, though, as they seem to fill and dump a little faster than some of the other types.

lee · Nov 4, 2005

I bought 10 unused still in the box 120mm reels that are Nikkor for about 30 cents each at an estate sale

lee\c

highpeak · Nov 4, 2005

I hate stainless steel reel(not hewes), I managed to ruin two rolls already. Just couldn't get it right.

Last night, tried patterson reel, worked like charm. I will stick to it.

phildo · Nov 4, 2005

kindermann and hewes reels are winners.

when discussing tanks however, i would recommend using a steel tank with a STEEL LID with it. the plastic lids are notorious for giving many a photo student over-agitation problems. that having been said, i use kindermann tanks with plastic lids and i'm okay if i agitate very consistently.

Mongo · Nov 4, 2005

Suzanne Revy said:
Have your tried the Hewes 35mm ss reels?? The only way to go for 35mm as well!

Indeed I have. But I just can't get any 35mm stainless steel reels to work. It's a mental deficiency on my part, I'm sure...but in all of the years that I've been shooting film (more than I care to admit) I have simply been unable to load a stainless steel rail with 35mm film. But I've never had trouble with plastic reels.

The odd thing is, almost everyone I know has exactly the opposite problem...120 is hard but 35 is easy. I can do 120 without even trying, but I can't do 35mm on Hewes reels with the lights on. Go figure.

Saganich · Nov 5, 2005

HEWES, HEWES, HEWES, do not buy cheep reels it will cause you to give up film.

Guillaume Zuili · Nov 6, 2005

Claude said:
I'm using jobo reels since year, so I'm a newbie for stainless reels. My question is perhaps stupid but in wich drums do you use these reels ?
Claude

Bonjour Claude,

Heeves has reels for jobo drums serie 2500.

Meilleurs sentiments,

Guillaume

jstraw · Dec 23, 2006

Are 120 and 220 reels different?

bdial · Dec 24, 2006

The spiral on 220 reels is more closely spaced than 120 with smaller wire, to account for the longer length of the film. Consequently, they are a bit more difficult to load.

hal9000 · Dec 24, 2006

Kindermann

I am a very happy user of Kindermann stainless steel reels. I tried the Hewes ones because they get such good reviews (and must be good if they cost that much ) but I sold them again because the Kindermann reels are stable and quite foolproof. I prefer the ones with plastic cores instead of the metal clips, I find sliding the film under the plastic clip easier than opening the metal clip with one hand and sliding the film underneath with the other. I guess the choice depends on what one is used to!

jstraw · Dec 24, 2006

Does anyone have any spare 120's (of a variety that doesn't suck) they'd part with at a friendly price? I'm looking to start using this Holga...

I only need as many as will fit in a stanless tank designed for four 35mm reels. Is that 2 or three? I'd guess two, eh?

I'm also looking for a 6x6 neg. carrier for a Beseler 45MXT.

dancqu · Dec 24, 2006

hal9000 said:
I am a very happy user of Kindermann stainless because the Kindermann reels are stable and quite foolproof. I prefer the ones with plastic cores instead of the metal clips, I find sliding the film under the plastic clip easier than opening the metal clip with one hand and sliding the film underneath with the other. I guess the choice depends on what one is used to!

Well a plug for Kindermann. I've two of their reels, one with lift clip
and sharp prong and another with a reverse version of the Hewes
reel. The Kindermanns are of heavier gauge than my 120 Hewes.

Both Brands are worth the price. The Hewes came from Freestyle
and the Kindermann tank and reels came via eBay. Some good
stuff passed on.

I've not loaded the lift clip reel but it's a toss up twixt the
Hewes and Kindermann's spring wire version.

My Kindermann Tank seals easily and sure. I use 500ml of
solution in a one liter tank and do one 120 at a time. Dan

120 stainless steel reels

michaelsalomon

Kevin Caulfield

Guillaume Zuili

Lee Shively

SuzanneR

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JustK

Mongo

SuzanneR

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David A. Goldfarb

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Phillip P. Dimor

mgb74

David A. Goldfarb

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Claude

David A. Goldfarb

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lee

highpeak

phildo

Mongo

Saganich

Guillaume Zuili

jstraw

bdial

hal9000

jstraw

dancqu

120 stainless steel reels

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