Are HEWES reels THAT much better?

[mgb74]

If you're current reels work reliably for you, then just use them. Otherwise, buy Hewes. At least for 35mm. I still struggle a bit with 120 even on a Hewes reel.

 

[fdonadio]

For 35mm film, like said before by many posters, Hewes reels are incredibly easy to load. It’s really hard to explain. One has to try loading one and feel the difference. They look and feel sturdy as heck too.

I bought some from @bvy last month for something like $25 each. He has some new in box reels for 35mm film. Not sure about other formats. There’s an ad in the Classifieds.

 

[bvy]

I bought some from @bvy last month for something like $25 each. He has some new in box reels for 35mm film. Not sure about other formats. There’s an ad in the Classifieds.

Thanks. I do have a few left. 35mm only.

 

[fdonadio]

Thanks. I do have a few left. 35mm only.

You’re welcome. I did love the reels and the service.

 

[Kawaiithulhu]

unless they were bent

Hewes are a little thicker in construction and less prone to bending in a drop, for example. If you never drop and have good technique you can use any old reel, I've found.

 

[bvy]

Hewes are a little thicker in construction and less prone to bending in a drop, for example. If you never drop and have good technique you can use any old reel, I've found.

Centering the cut edge of the film to the reel core is critical to loading any stainless steel reel (even/especially 120). The reels with clips require you to place the film just right before clipping, which isn't terribly hard once you get the hang of it, but can give you fits if you're starting out. The Hewes reels eliminate this problem by supplying two hooks on the core for the sprocket holes, so the film is perfectly centered from the beginning, and loads freely afterwards. For that matter, they're great to learn on. And even better to keep using.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Centering the cut edge of the film to the reel core is critical to loading any stainless steel reel (even/especially 120). The reels with clips require you to place the film just right before clipping, which isn't terribly hard once you get the hang of it, but can give you fits if you're starting out. The Hewes reels eliminate this problem by supplying two hooks on the core for the sprocket holes, so the film is perfectly centered from the beginning, and loads freely afterwards. For that matter, they're great to learn on. And even better to keep using.

I agree and never had a problem loading any straight stainless steel reel once I learned how to consistently center the film under the retaining clip.

 

[fdonadio]

I agree and never had a problem loading any straight stainless steel reel once I learned how to consistently center the film under the retaining clip.

I find it really hard to do with 120 film, to the point I decided to process all my medium format with Paterson reels/tanks. I had too many problems with the steel reels, like wrinkles that ruined some pretty nice negatives. If there is/was something as foolproof as Hewes reels for 120 film, I would pay whatever the premium they cost. I still prefer stainless tanks, as they use half the chemistry needed with Paterson tanks.

For 35mm, it was easy enough, but Hewes reels make it even easier.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I find it really hard to do with 120 film, to the point I decided to process all my medium format with Paterson reels/tanks. I had too many problems with the steel reels, like wrinkles that ruined some pretty nice negatives. If there is/was something as foolproof as Hewes reels for 120 film, I would pay whatever the premium they cost. I still prefer stainless tanks, as they use half the chemistry needed with Paterson tanks.

For 35mm, it was easy enough, but Hewes reels make it even easier.

I never had a problem centering and loading 135 or 120 on any SS reels. Maybe I'm weird.

 

[darkroommike]

Feels good doesn’t it

I used to work at Radio Shack, we kept the toy returns in the back room, we couldn't sell them again, couldn't get them fixed, and couldn't throw them away (folks loved dumpster diving our store after Christmas); so anytime, during the "13th. month" between Christmas and New Years, when we got stressed out with returns and sales, we would go into the backroom on our breaks and smash kid's toys into little pieces with a hammer. That was the greatest perk of working at The Shack.

 

[bvy]

I find it really hard to do with 120 film, to the point I decided to process all my medium format with Paterson reels/tanks. I had too many problems with the steel reels, like wrinkles that ruined some pretty nice negatives. If there is/was something as foolproof as Hewes reels for 120 film, I would pay whatever the premium they cost. I still prefer stainless tanks, as they use half the chemistry needed with Paterson tanks.

For 35mm, it was easy enough, but Hewes reels make it even easier.

For 120, the trick, I found, is to flatten the back end (emulsion side) of the film against the core while you're rolling it on to the innermost track. This worked like magic once I got the hang of it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Clipping off the corners of 120 helps loading stainless steel and plastic reels.

 

[Ai Print]

I have both Hewes and plastic Jobo and Paterson reels, prefer the Hewes by far due to the quality of the construction and design of the "horns" on the 35mm reels. In fact, I like them so much I have doubled my inventory of them for workshops since completing the wet side of my darkroom with 16x in 35mm, 10x in regular 120 and 6x in the Jobo / Paterson style 120 reels ( 4 on backorder at Freestyle). I also have one for 220 film, not much of that left but good to have either way.

Yeah...I love Hewes reels...

 

[richyd]

For 120, the trick, I found, is to flatten the back end (emulsion side) of the film against the core while you're rolling it on to the innermost track. This worked like magic once I got the hang of it.

Clipping off the corners of 120 helps loading stainless steel and plastic reels.

+1 to both those tips though I rarely clip the corners now. And with really curly film, most Ilford emulsions, I find it easier to bend back the edge that you feed into the clip (or with plastic the leading slots) , I then wiggle it a little to get it centered. After that I find it easy to feed though when I first used steel I had a few miss loads. And yes, Hewes reels are worth it.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Another tip for 120 is to roll it with the taped edge to the outside of the reel. The added stiffness helps to prevent the film from unrolling during processing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Another tip for 120 is to roll it with the taped edge to the outside of the reel. The added stiffness helps to prevent the film from unrolling during processing.

I do that too for both 120 and 135.

 

[Ai Print]

Just a heads up, Freestyle has Hewes Jobo 1500 / Paterson compatible reels back in stock, they just shipped my back order of 6 today.

 

[bdial]

Another tip for 120 is to roll it with the taped edge to the outside of the reel. The added stiffness helps to prevent the film from unrolling during processing.

Interesting...I do it the other way around so that it stays in the center clip better.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Interesting...I do it the other way around so that it stays in the center clip better.

Me too.

 

[Vincent Peri]

When I had my darkroom, I always used Unicolor plastic reels in a Unicolor roller drum for constant agitation - worked great. But sometimes it was a pain trying to get the whole roll of film on a reel (35mm). Now that I'm getting close to having another darkroom, I bought another Unicolor drum and reels and motor base.

Until I saw this topic, I didn't know anything about stainless steel reels. From what I've read here and seen on Youtube, I'd like to try the Hewes 35mm reels, but I'm wondering if they will fit in the unicolor drum (can hold 6 35mm reels, I think.) Does anyone know if they'll fit? It seems they should, but I don't want to order six reels only to find I can't use them in the Unicolor drum.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[Chrismat]

I've always found it much easier to roll 120 film on stainless steel reels than 35mm, I took to rolling 120 on stainless steel reels like a fish to water. It's the 35mm stainless steel reels that I've had more of an issue with. I need to get some 35mm Hewes reels.

 

[btaylor]

When I had my darkroom, I always used Unicolor plastic reels in a Unicolor roller drum for constant agitation - worked great. But sometimes it was a pain trying to get the whole roll of film on a reel (35mm). Now that I'm getting close to having another darkroom, I bought another Unicolor drum and reels and motor base.

Until I saw this topic, I didn't know anything about stainless steel reels. From what I've read here and seen on Youtube, I'd like to try the Hewes 35mm reels, but I'm wondering if they will fit in the unicolor drum (can hold 6 35mm reels, I think.) Does anyone know if they'll fit? It seems they should, but I don't want to order six reels only to find I can't use them in the Unicolor drum.

Thanks for any comments.

I also have that question. I love my Unicolor film drum system— so simple and effective— but nicer reels would be an improvement.

 

[darkroommike]

I also have that question. I love my Unicolor film drum system— so simple and effective— but nicer reels would be an improvement.

When I got my first introduction to the Unicolor Film Tank (RIP Dick you taught me a lot) my mentor used the tank with Nikkor type reels, Unicolor used to make a set of tubes, the Center Fill Tube Kit, these "Unicolor Center Fill Tubes" were used in the Unidrum so that you could fit Nikkor type reels if you removed the center springs. Finding a set of these tubes now would be impossible but something might be made. Think a version of the Jobo or Paterson center tubes with a smaller outside diameter.

 

[J N]

I'm a little late to the party here, but as I've been working on some film related videos, came across this while doing some googling, and have strong opinions on this subject:

Yes, if you're comparing Hewes with Kalt or other cheap reels, there really is no comparison.

I've processed several hundred rolls of 35mm B+W film over the years/decades. The Hewes "sprocket clip" is indeed genius, but it's the consistency of the wire spirals that makes the big difference. If you are at all practiced loading metal reels, you will never have film crossed over, trying to kink, etc., on a Hewes reel. All of the Kalt reels I've used over the years will give you those problems, even if you don't bother attaching the film to the hub.

As for 120, Kalt is probably fine as tolerances are much less important as long as the film doesn't outright fall out of the reel. 220, I haven't developed in ages and don't remember what the last reel I used was, but I would again lean toward Hewes, as tolerances are important.

So yes it's definitely worth paying 3-4x as much for that Hewes reel. Believe me, that $40 will save you a world of grief.

 

[Bill Burk]

100% of the difficulties I have spooling film on reels is a crooked start. Hewes reels don’t start crooked.

I live with the old reels but dream of having a full set of eight Hewes reels.

Just can’t justify the expense because I can make the old ones work. When I do have a problem I just unreel and start over.

I also dream of having 12 sets of silverware for Thanksgiving but at fifty bucks a set I am going to just piecemeal a couple extra forks and spoons.