Arista Stainless Steel Reels / 32 Ounce Tank - Possible Issues

Hi everyone.

I'm new to hand processing C41 with Arista Press Kits and an Arista 32 ounce Stainless Steel Tank and Reels.

The lid seal around the first lid I got was bad and leaked all over, so I was sent a replacement. One consistent issue I've had is these deep dents on my film where the film sits on the crossbars that run along the outside of the reels. Not sure if it's something I'm doing wrong or if there's an issue with the reel. Wanted to post photos and ask if anyone has any advice.

The issue:









I am new to processing color and it's been a while since I had processed any film at all, but I've never had an issue like this before. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Here's a photo of the reels loaded - you can see the film bending at the crossbars on both sides, as in photo #3 above - so it isn't that I'm loading it unevenly and one side has room and the other side is crammed up against the crossbar. So I'm pretty stumped.

Yes, it is catching at the cross bars and the film should not be doing that. Call FreeStyle and explain the problem. I like to talk to Oliver Tam there.

Sirius Glass said:

Yes, it is catching at the cross bars and the film should not be doing that. Call FreeStyle and explain the problem. I like to talk to Oliver Tam there.

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Okay, thanks, I'll do that.

I would bet that the reels are bent. Are the top and bottom parallel?

I just laid it on my palm and did a little spin test - you're right, they're warped and wonky!

Go to Ebay and find some older reels Nikor, Kindermann, Hewes, King Concept. etc. You are wasting your time. The steel is so soft in that junk, even if you get a couple that are straight, they may not stay that way. Hewes reels cost more but they are hands down the finest reels in existence.
The other option is return all of it and buy a Paterson or AP tank. Problem with Paterson is you will need more solution. Still if the Paterson (or AP) reel is dry they almost load themselves.
Paterson and Hewes are made in the UK, last I checked the AP tank and reels were made in the EU.
I have been given a lot of darkroom stuff over the years, those cheap Taiwan or today PRC, I would just throw away. If you have a tank and lid that fit that will work but get some decent reels.
Freestyle shouldn't even be selling that stuff. MHOFWIW

mshchem said:

Go to Ebay and find some older reels Nikor, Kindermann, Hewes, King Concept. etc. You are wasting your time. The steel is so soft in that junk, even if you get a couple that are straight, they may not stay that way. Hewes reels cost more but they are hands down the finest reels in existence.
The other option is return all of it and buy a Paterson or AP tank. Problem with Paterson is you will need more solution. Still if the Paterson (or AP) reel is dry they almost load themselves.
Paterson and Hewes are made in the UK, last I checked the AP tank and reels were made in the EU.
I have been given a lot of darkroom stuff over the years, those cheap Taiwan or today PRC, I would just throw away. If you have a tank and lid that fit that will work but get some decent reels.
Freestyle shouldn't even be selling that stuff. MHOFWIW

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Maybe.
Stuff gets damaged - even top of the line Hewes reels can be damaged if you work at it.
I have cheap 35mm steel reels that have performed really well, and seem durable.
Give Freestyle a chance to make this good.
That being said, the 120 Hewes reels I have are so nice that, even though I have trouble using them, I am reluctant to give up on them.

MattKing said:

That being said, the 120 Hewes reels I have are so nice that, even though I have trouble using them, I am reluctant to give up on them.

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Yeah, me too. Now that I've concurred Jobo feeding problems, I'm sticking to plastic. I admire my stainless steel stuff, I won't get rid of it. The first time I used a Hewes 35mm reel I couldn't believe it, I was shocked how much easier it was for my fumble fingers. My Dad was the miracle man with his hands, my fingers don't work like that.

I can load the relatively cheap no-name 35mm reels that I have (that use a C shaped guide) just as quickly and reliably as the really nice Hewes 35mm reels. Unfortunately, for 120 film, every stainless steel reek I have encountered, including the really nice Hewes ones, require two-handed dexterity, not the 1.5 handed dexterity I possess.

If Freestyle sells Hewes, see if they will let you exchange. You will need to add some money, but they are worth the premium.
That said, Hewes are thicker, and some tanks may not be deep enough for the lid to seat fully with a Hewes reel.

bdial said:

If Freestyle sells Hewes, see if they will let you exchange. You will need to add some money, but they are worth the premium.
That said, Hewes are thicker, and some tanks may not be deep enough for the lid to seat fully with a Hewes reel.

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They sell Hewes reels and will do the exchange. How do I know? I went through that with them ten or so years ago.

Sirius Glass said:

They sell Hewes reels and will do the exchange. How do I know? I went through that with them ten or so years ago.

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Freestyle's website says 30 days to return.
But I would still reach out to them if you are out of time.
The Hewes stainless steel reels are $39.99, whereas the Arista stainless steel reels are $11.99.

Oddly enough I find using the Hewes 120 reels easier than the plastic Patterson which I have used for 35mm for 40+ years. I changed to the Hewes reels after multiple loading hassles which resulted in 'kinks' which left the well-known crescent shaped marks on my negs. If I haven't developed 120 film for a while I have a couple of practice runs with a sacrificial film to revive my 'muscle memory' before loading up the real film in a changing bag. If I get the film squarely under the reel clamp then the film just falls onto the reel, no problem.

I also have a couple of Hewes 35mm reels but haven't tried them yet. Must do so soon.