Are HEWES reels THAT much better?
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MattKing
Moderator
They are the Leica of developing reels
.
Except new ones approach affordability.
For 35mm, the way that they work with the film sprockets is inspired.
The 120 reels I have are clearly better made than the other brands I have encountered. But I don't know that I have ever worked with Nikor or Kindermann 120 reels - even though I sold them a very long time ago.
.Except new ones approach affordability.
For 35mm, the way that they work with the film sprockets is inspired.
The 120 reels I have are clearly better made than the other brands I have encountered. But I don't know that I have ever worked with Nikor or Kindermann 120 reels - even though I sold them a very long time ago.
I never had any trouble with any SS reels unless they were bent.
In a word, yes.
If they work well for you, use what you have and are use to -- then if you need to replace them, yes, Hewes are worth it.
The Hewes 35mm reel is as foolproof as it gets. No plastic ratcheting etc. I have Kindermann and Hewes 120 reels, for me I prefer the Hewes.
The quality of Hewes is obvious. B&H gets 56 USD for a new Hewes 120 reel.
I also have Hewes reels that will fit Jobo columns as well.
First time I tried to load Jobo reels it was impossible for me. Now that I no the little tricks, no trouble. I use the plastic Jobo reels with my Jobo processors.
A Kindermann tank with a nearly leak proof pvc lid and Hewes reels. Well it is as nice as it gets. MHO for what it is.
Mike
The quality of Hewes is obvious. B&H gets 56 USD for a new Hewes 120 reel.
I also have Hewes reels that will fit Jobo columns as well.
First time I tried to load Jobo reels it was impossible for me. Now that I no the little tricks, no trouble. I use the plastic Jobo reels with my Jobo processors.
A Kindermann tank with a nearly leak proof pvc lid and Hewes reels. Well it is as nice as it gets. MHO for what it is.
Mike
Now that I KNOW the tricks
For me, absolutely. When I was starting out developing at home, I had a couple of 35mm reels with the spring wire in the center to hold the end of the film. They worked, but they were fiddly to make sure that the film was lined up properly, and I was always slightly paranoid that they would misload. It was frustrating, because I never remembered that from when I took photography in high school. Turns out, we had Hewes reels in my high school darkroom - once I got a pair, loading reels became a much less anxious process for me. The pins that hold on through the sprocket holes make everything go much more smoothly.
Depends on how many thumbs you have.
Answer: Yes. Without a doubt.
The two-pin system is genius.
Buy a couple used and never look back.
The two-pin system is genius.
Buy a couple used and never look back.
I can only compare them to no name reels and the Hewes 35mm reels are clearly superior. Much more sturdy and easier to load. I have never seen or used their 120 reels. For 120 reels I use LPL like the ones pictured here (no relation to seller). They are easy to load and as sturdy as the Hewes reels in 35mm. The LPL 35mm reels like the ones pictured here (no relation to seller) have a pin system similar to the Hewes 35mm reels but I have never used them and cannot comment on their sturdiness.
Just get them.
Do the Hewes 120 reels have some feature to make them easier to load?
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I have the same question as BAC1967, if advantage of Hewes 35mm reel is the sprocket pins, do they have any advantage over films without sprocket holes? Besides 35mm, I have Nikor reels for 120, Minox and Minolta 16 film. I use the Nikor film guide for 35mm with no problem and also seems a lot cheaper way to go.
A few years back during one of those "why is my reel so hard to load" threads, I very carefully measured the side-to-side spacing of a no-name 120 reel and my Hewes version at multiple locations around the circumference. I already knew the Hewes gave me much less trouble loading. The variations on that spacing for the Hewes were about a quarter to a third of what the no-name was. My ownership of both reels was relatively recent and they had not been dropped or abused.
I am sure a few years back I did not pay anywhere near $56 for my Hewes; I might agonize a bit over buying another at that price level. As an old tinkerer, I have wondered if using some fine thread hardware I could very carefully make adjustments of that spacing on a cheap reel. But I have not wondered enough to actually try it!
I am sure a few years back I did not pay anywhere near $56 for my Hewes; I might agonize a bit over buying another at that price level. As an old tinkerer, I have wondered if using some fine thread hardware I could very carefully make adjustments of that spacing on a cheap reel. But I have not wondered enough to actually try it!
I have a few Hewes reels but my favorites are old Nikkor reels for 120 and Kindermanns (with their loader) for 35mm.
Yes
Yes.
I found them to be a tad thicker on the spirals and always straight. Also the anchor gizmo works for me.
My first ones were Kindermann, but I got frustrated with 35mm film. Nikons I had better luck but those are hard to find new (or even in great condition). Hewes for 35mm and 120 work smooth with no issues for me.
I found them to be a tad thicker on the spirals and always straight. Also the anchor gizmo works for me.
My first ones were Kindermann, but I got frustrated with 35mm film. Nikons I had better luck but those are hard to find new (or even in great condition). Hewes for 35mm and 120 work smooth with no issues for me.
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Another vote from another Iowa Mike. The heavier wire gauge of the Hewes reels make them much harder to bend, too.
I had one no name that was so undersized than I beat the heck out of it with a hammer so I would never pick it up to use again.A few years back during one of those "why is my reel so hard to load" threads, I very carefully measured the side-to-side spacing of a no-name 120 reel and my Hewes version at multiple locations around the circumference. I already knew the Hewes gave me much less trouble loading. The variations on that spacing for the Hewes were about a quarter to a third of what the no-name was. My ownership of both reels was relatively recent and they had not been dropped or abused.
I am sure a few years back I did not pay anywhere near $56 for my Hewes; I might agonize a bit over buying another at that price level. As an old tinkerer, I have wondered if using some fine thread hardware I could very carefully make adjustments of that spacing on a cheap reel. But I have not wondered enough to actually try it!
The spring allows the film to be inserted easier. I use Kindermann as well . I have bought my reels used.
Feels good doesn’t it
TheFlyingCamera
Membership Council
Absolutely unequivocally yes, they are so superior that they're worth every extra penny.
I don't think so. I don't think that they are any better than a normal spring retaining reel for 120.
Don't know hewes but the Kindermann core is easy to insert the film. I haven't lost a single frame on them.
http://www.argraph.com/cat-sect/Sect-E/e-4-28w.pdf
http://www.argraph.com/cat-sect/Sect-E/e-4-28w.pdf
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