I only use Kindermann 120 reels. The ones with the black center for use with the film loader. I use them with the loader but they are easy to use without as well.
I have a number of the Hewes stainless steel reels for 35mm.
But none of my 120 reels are marked.
The one I have has a wire clip in the center but its really not easy to center or get secured.
What brand SS reels do you recommend? And why!?
YUP! And some brands will have little bands to brand them. And of course the Kindermann reels will have little cranks.If you come across used reels and are wondering what brand they are, the HEWES reels that I had had HEWES inscribed on the cross braces, like this:
View attachment 391384
YUP! And some brands will have little bands to brand them. And of course the Kindermann reels will have little cranks.
To me, it's all about the little clip or spring that retains the film. I became "most proficient" with the ones in college that have the small wire "V" in the center. One can certainly learn to use anything, but those are the type I got along with the best. After getting away from the darkroom for a while, I ended up with a Patterson tank and reels and I have found the transition to plastic to be pretty easy. I still have stainless stuff around though.
I learned to roll film onto the Nikkor (and other) SS reels without using the clip. It's much easier. You just slide the end of the film into the center of the reel and start winding.
I'd love to hear more about this. I've always used the thin wire "clip" in the center. I find I have to maintain a bit of pull tension on the film while I wind it on or else it gets mis-aligned very easily. Even a couple of my 35mm reels have a weak hold with the spring clip, and while I"m winding them they tend to pull right back out.
Being able to get around issues with that spring clip in the center would be awesome.
Assuming you are right handed:
- Make sure the end is cut square
- Insert into open port of the reel center with right hand
- Hold the film in place with your left index finger
- Start winding the film holding the film bu its edged with your right hand but turning the wheel with your left hand, finger still on the center
- Once the film as a turn on it, you can release your left finger and keep turning the reel with your left hand while feeding the film with your right
- I periodically stop turning the reel and push the film in very slightly with my right hand while now gently rocking the reel with my left. This ensures the film feeds squarely onto the reel as you go.
This sounds far more complicated than it is. Get an old roll of film you're not going to shoot and practice in the light until you get it right, and then work on it in the dark.
The old reels never had a clip at all, so this isn't some magic I invented. it's how I learned to load film back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
I have a strong preference for Nikor SS reels because they have the best wind spacing of any reel I've used AND have the minimal amount of contact with the film. This promotes maximum fluid flow and evenness of agitation across the film surface. This is somewhat of an issue for normal agitation, but it is a Really Big Deal (tm) for low agitation/long duration development like Semistand or EMA. I tend to do a fair bit of this and have never had any issues with the Nikor reels. (The plastic reels with high wind walls are a nightmare of bromide drag and yuck if you try doing this with them.)
I'll definitely give this a shot tonight.
Is this after you have removed the backing paper? Or do you let the backing paper fall away as you load?Assuming you are right handed:
- Make sure the end is cut square
- Insert into open port of the reel center with right hand
- Hold the film in place with your left index finger
- Start winding the film holding the film bu its edged with your right hand but turning the wheel with your left hand, finger still on the center
- Once the film as a turn on it, you can release your left finger and keep turning the reel with your left hand while feeding the film with your right
- I periodically stop turning the reel and push the film in very slightly with my right hand while now gently rocking the reel with my left. This ensures the film feeds squarely onto the reel as you go.
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