Hewes reels

I NEVER use the clip on Nikkor 35mm reels. If you do not center the film perfectly under the clip, the film will kink as you roll it on.
I just leave the end of the film loose in the center, and the film will center itself. It works just fine.

I also use Nikkor 120 reels. It must have been the years of using 35mm Nikkor reels, that loading the 120 reel was just as simple as the 35mm reel. I just had to deal with the backing paper on the 120 film.

The trick we used with SS Nikkor tanks was to wrap a layer of masking tape around the edge of the cap. No more leaking, and no worries that the cap might come off when we invert the tank during agitation.

The only hassle was, sometimes the filler cap would get stuck.
We used a bottle opener or a key to pop open the stuck cap.

The question of whether plastic or stainless-steel reels are easiest to load has been raging since at least the 1960s, when I first worked in photo labs. Risking customers' films is a terrible thought, but we used to race, to see how long it took to load a film. I could load a 120 film into a Hewes spiral in 18 sec. To avoid unsightly marks on the rebate, caused when the emulsion side was pulled against the metal, I would hook my fingers over the free end and slightly unwind the film so that the back was now touching the metal. This would also allow liquids to flow more freely over the emulsion surface. The reels, 120, 220, 35mm, a control strip and occasionally 70mm, were loaded into a cage and processed in stainless steel 13 litre tanks. We once or twice encountered a 120 film that had come free from the spiral - this would probably not occur in a small cylindrical tank. Management decided to fit clips, to our design, to each loaded 120 spiral, to retain the film.

Well as someone new to this game, I'v missed "the rage". I can see issues with Paterson's plastic reels, so I bought a stable of Arista's plastic reels that have the wide, flat threads the literally cross the mouth of the reels. I don't know how this could be any easier! My reason for looking at the Hewes and giving them a shot is that I like the Nikkor tanks better. Yes, I've gotten so I can deal with the Paterson, but it would be nice to figure out the Hewes reels so that I can actually use the Nikkor tanks. I know this sounds a bit contorted... but I guess that's the way it is. Size, seals, and handling of the Nikkor tanks is just "better" (personal opinion) for a small hand guy like me. YMMV. BUT and this is a big BUT... I haven't had a problem with the System 4 stuff ...at all, and the Nikkor / Hewes combo is my only failure. Thanks for the encouragement... I'll take a closer look at this and give it another try or two; lots more practice in daylight - listening for the sound (I'm using a changing bag which may muffle the sound somewhat); and some scratch runs. Above all.... Youtube videos! How hard can it be?

JWM
Just like learning to drive a stick shift car, learning to load a SS reel takes practice.

• The critical part is the first part of loading the film into the reel. For Nikkor and similar, ignore the clip. My experience has been if you do not put the film centered almost perfectly under the clip, the film WILL kink as you try to roll it on. Push the film into the center and leaving the film loose. This will let the film self-center. The hooks on the Hewes reel avoids the centering problem of the clip.
  
• Practice a LOT. First in daylight, so you can see what is going on, until it becomes easy. Then close your eyes and practice. Then practice in the changing bag.
  
• I hold and turn the reel in my left hand, and guide the film with my right. I put the index finger of my right hand on the top of the film, so that I can feel the film as it goes in. If the film jumps a wire, I can feel it.

• TIP: If you kink the film, cut off the the film after the kink. Trying to load film that has been kinked and bent is VERY VERY HARD and frustrating.
• Tip: With a changing bag, use a BIG bag. The BIG bag has more air inside, so your hand does not get sweaty as fast as in a small bag. Cuz the longer it takes you to load the reels, the sweatier your hand will get.
  
• Tip: If you do 2 rolls of film, do 1 roll at a time. That way, if you take too long on roll 1 and your hand is sweaty. You can put the reel with roll 1 into the tank, cover the tank (now it is light tight). Then remove your hand and open the bag to air it out. Then close the bag and do the 2nd roll.
  A related trick is to have a fan blowing on you. This reduces the heat buildup in the bag from your hands.

Once you get it, man is it easy. At least it was for me.
I was the strange guy in the college photo class that used the stainless steel tank and reels. Everyone else used the plastic tank and reels.

MattKing said:

Hold the reels without too much tension.
With one hand, rotate the reel to pull the film into the reel.
With the other hand gently cup and guide the film.
Load the film a short segment at a time - half a reel rotation each segment works okay.
After each segment, gently push/pull the film in and out a tiny amount - if it moves freely you can load the next segment. If it binds, pull the film out and retry the last one or two segments.
As the film loads correctly, the edges of the film make a subtle, very regular and very quiet scraping sound. Learn to recognize that sound, because that little bit of sound is the single most reliable clue that you are loading correctly.
From time to time, rub a finger over each side of the reel. If the film isn't loaded correctly, it may stick out a bit.

Click to expand...

Matt, total agreement here. However, I stumbled upon a Hewes loader. Totally unnecessary as Hewes 35mm reels are so easy to use.
You retrieve the film end with a doo hickey, trim off the tab, place the cassette into the holder on the winder, engage the sprocket holes onto th teeth of the reel. Then turn off the lights with a handy foot switch, turn the little crank for about 7 seconds, film loads, trim off the end attached to the spool, another half turn. It's a blast.
I rarely use it but I keep a dummy roll handy just to impress my friends
I have some of the Jobo/Paterson Hewes reels, they will fit both columns. I see no advantage. They are much heavier than Jobo, not great with the smaller processor.

OP I have found Paterson reels easier than the AP. I've only have tried USED AP reels, NEW Paterson reels, in a dry, cool, darkroom are the easiest reel I've ever used.
I would be shocked to find any difference between any reels in stand development, but to be honest I'm not a stand development guy, so what do I know.
Fascinating discussion.
Best Regards, Mike

ac12 said:

JWM
Just like learning to drive a stick shift car, learning to load a SS reel takes practice.

• The critical part is the first part of loading the film into the reel. For Nikkor and similar, ignore the clip. My experience has been if you do not put the film centered almost perfectly under the clip, the film WILL kink as you try to roll it on. Push the film into the center and leaving the film loose. This will let the film self-center. The hooks on the Hewes reel avoids the centering problem of the clip.
  
• Practice a LOT. First in daylight, so you can see what is going on, until it becomes easy. Then close your eyes and practice. Then practice in the changing bag.
  
• I hold and turn the reel in my left hand, and guide the film with my right. I put the index finger of my right hand on the top of the film, so that I can feel the film as it goes in. If the film jumps a wire, I can feel it.

• TIP: If you kink the film, cut off the the film after the kink. Trying to load film that has been kinked and bent is VERY VERY HARD and frustrating.
• Tip: With a changing bag, use a BIG bag. The BIG bag has more air inside, so your hand does not get sweaty as fast as in a small bag. Cuz the longer it takes you to load the reels, the sweatier your hand will get.
  
• Tip: If you do 2 rolls of film, do 1 roll at a time. That way, if you take too long on roll 1 and your hand is sweaty. You can put the reel with roll 1 into the tank, cover the tank (now it is light tight). Then remove your hand and open the bag to air it out. Then close the bag and do the 2nd roll.
  A related trick is to have a fan blowing on you. This reduces the heat buildup in the bag from your hands.

Once you get it, man is it easy. At least it was for me.
I was the strange guy in the college photo class that used the stainless steel tank and reels. Everyone else used the plastic tank and reels.

Click to expand...

+1, a cool, dry, dark room. I've never tryed loading a reel in a bag. Once you get the hang of it, nothing to it. I use Hewes when I use SS, foolproof for 35mm, but if you do it enough you can load an old Nikor reel in 30 seconds. All good advice here
Best Regards Mike

Thanks to everyone for their encouragement. I'll give it another shot soon - with some test films. Love to get the hang of it 'cause the tanks are very nice.