Bent my stainless reel, are the pro reels worth the money?

[Puma]

Hello,

I've gone and bent my reel and I'd like to know if the expensive reels are worth it. Tundra pro reels are about $50 and I want to know if you still have the occasional problem with it?

Thank you,

Puma

 

[Tim Gray]

I love mine. I didn't spend $50 on them. More like $20. Try Freestyle and search for Hewes.

 

[holmburgers]

Or Nikor, and of course eBay. I think I got two perfect, boxed Nikor reels for maybe $10.

 

[tkamiya]

Hewes are very easy to load. The wires are thicker and film "pops" in there quite easily. How badly is your reel bent? I had a few like that and I just bent it back....

 

[walbergb]

I echo Tim's recommendation for Hewes reels. They are made of heavier gauge steel than most; and with the prongs instead of a spring in the centre to start the film, they are a breeze to load. Expect to spend $15-20 (average) each on eBay (shipping not included).

 

[23mjm]

I just buy them on eBay, you can find lots of 10+ reels that go for $20 or so. I have had to throw away one of two reels but I still end up with many good serviceable reels for the cost of a few new reels. I probably have 20 120 reels, 25 135 reels, and 10 tanks of various sizes. I would like do few more double 120 tanks, but I never get around to buying any. I ended up with lots of Nikor's, a few Hewes, and some no names.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I don't know this for a fact but rumor has it that the Tundra is a rebranded Hewes reel anyway. Freestyle does indeed have the Hewes for $20, which is about $5 less than B&H. http://www.freestylephoto.biz/140135-Hewes-Pro-Stainless-Steel-Reel-35mm?cat_id=1603

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hewes reels are totally worth it.

 

[degruyl]

another vote for hewes

 

[tonyjuliano]

Hewes all the way...

 

[sepiareverb]

Hewes are remarkably better. I loaded Nikkor and various brand reels for nearly thirty years before making the switch. I am completely shocked at how much simpler they are to load. Absolutley better.

 

[frobozz]

Hewes. Worth every penny. New, if you're in a hurry; stalk auctions of multiple ones if you're not.

Note that they are slightly taller than nikor reels due to the thicker wire. This can cause problems with some multiple-reel tanks, if they cut it too close based on standard reels.

Duncan

 

[fotch]

Tundra Pro is Hewes and the reels are marked Hewes. Regular Tundra are not Hewes, just regular cheap reels.

 

[Tim Gray]

So B&H has a 200% markup on Hewes now? That is if you buy the Tundra ones. I think they still have them listed as Hewes as well for $25...

 

[guitstik]

Simple, Hewes.