I must be the odd one out ... stainless steel reels are WAY easier than plastic!

Katie · Dec 28, 2010

In my recent darkroom equipment purchase were about 25 stainless steel reels (both 120 and 35mm size) and 3 or 4 tanks.

I decided to take the plunge and attempt to use SS tonight because I had four rolls to develop and my tiny plastic patterson tank only holds 1 120 reel at a time.

WOW. I went from spending 5 minutes crinkling my film on the plastic to about 10 seconds gliding in onto the SS reel. What a difference...

Just to put it out there - I read many things about how easy the plastics load and what a learning curve it was for SS. Don't be afraid to try it. I am very pleased!

guitstik · Dec 28, 2010

I'm with you on that Katie. I have both SS and the plastic in several makes including the Paterson, and I find the SS easier.

steelydam · Dec 28, 2010

I concur. When I took my first college class in '91 we were given the choice of systems - plastic or metal. When I realized I would use more developer with plastic (I was poor!) I decided to learn to use the "more difficult" metal reels. Once you learn 'em, you're good to go. I incorrectly spool a roll about once every two years and that can probably be blamed on my having had about 3 beers before starting.

tkamiya · Dec 28, 2010

You bought HOW MANY? Holy cow!

I only use SS type so I don't have a comparison. It takes about 30 seconds for me to roll one and I usually spend 15 seconds or so feeling around making sure film is wound correctly.

I can say this though - when the reel is right, it's really easy and problem free. When one is slightly out of tolerance, they are problematic. Film may wind ok but it doesn't stay in the groove. I had an occasion where outer film came out of groove and during agitation, it sort of folded and kinked. Darn!

Apparently, it doesn't take much of error in sizing for this to happen. The reel didn't look bent or shifted either.

Mark Crabtree · Dec 28, 2010

Good stainless reels are great. You do have to learn to load them, but that time is paid back over and over.

I think one problem is that a lot of people start on cheap or bent reels. Even brand new the good ones load better, plus they are usually more durable. My very favorites are the old Nikor 35mm reels that look like the clip is missing. You just stick the film in the center and start turning. The film centers itself on these and makes loading even faster. Maybe you'll find some of these in your stash.

guitstik · Dec 28, 2010

I use the heavy duty "good" reals with the tabs that hold the sprocket holes. When I reel the film I can feel if the film is off track and make the proper adjustment before I continue, I can't with the plastic reels.

Cromlech · Dec 29, 2010

SS for 120 or 135?

For 135, I can load the reel now only after two days of practice.... It's a piece of cake now. I love Hewes reels, and I have NEVER heard plastic was easier... Just curious as to who thinks that, and why.

120 may be a different story. : )

Richard

eddym · Dec 29, 2010

Katie said:
Just to put it out there - I read many things about how easy the plastics load and what a learning curve it was for SS. Don't be afraid to try it. I am very pleased!

Not odd at all... I'm with you all the way, Katie!

markbarendt · Dec 29, 2010

I enjoy stainless reels too and use them for my traditional B&W film.

Less futzing with stainless, but since I need to use plastic in my CPA2, which I use for all my C-41 and E-6 film, I have had to learn to futz better.

amac212 · Dec 29, 2010

I'm so with you on that! Less than 30 seconds and you've loaded 2 rolls on reels in a tank!

I just acquired a CPP-2 last month which requires the plastic reels and though I've used it for some time now for my B&W 4x5s, I feel like a total beginner trying to load roll film! Utterly exasperating.

markbarendt · Dec 29, 2010

amac212 said:
I'm so with you on that! Less than 30 seconds and you've loaded 2 rolls on reels in a tank!

I just acquired a CPP-2 last month which requires the plastic reels and though I've used it for some time now for my B&W 4x5s, I feel like a total beginner trying to load roll film! Utterly exasperating.

Here's a couple hints from another thread (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Moopheus · Dec 29, 2010

Mark Crabtree said:
I think one problem is that a lot of people start on cheap or bent reels.

When I was putting my darkroom together, I got some steel reels, and I think they were Omega brand. They were quite frustrating to use, and I could never get them loaded correctly. I couldn't afford Hewes reels at the time, so went with a Paterson tank. The steel reels are not all alike, and some really suck.

hpulley · Dec 29, 2010

I'm also new on plastic as I ordered a SS 120 reel but it hasn't arrived so I got a plastic set in the meantime. I need to try without the ball bearings and give it a chance but so far I prefer SS for 135mm so I haven't tried the plastic for 135 yet.

Katie · Dec 29, 2010

Glad to hear that others agree ...

I had no idea what I was purchasing when I bought this "lot" of equipment off CL in Houston. It seems like it might have been a gold mine. I give total credit to this board, who encouraged me to get it when I posted a "should I get this" thread.

I don't claim to know alot (yet) but it seems like good (and plentiful) stuff. I'm starting to think I might have literally acquired the entire Baylor College Darkroom.

Some of the few things:
Beseler 45MXT with two heads
TWO Ilford 500S Multigrade Heads Units that come with two other enlargers that I haven't picked up yet
About 7 lenses for the enlarger ranging from 75 to 135 (all El Nikkor)
The aforementioned SS equipment
A Sekonic light meter NEW IN BOX that I had to idea was even included
An entire box full of negative carriers (I'm assuming for all three enlargers)
About five or six paper safes
More easels (all metal) that I know what to do with
Buckets, tongs, trays, clips, 3 or 4 Gralab timers, and so much other stuff that I am forgetting.

and this is only the first lot. I go back to get the other stuff whenever I have room...

This might need to be a whole other thread!!!

SuzanneR · Dec 29, 2010

It's a wise idea to invest in good SS reels, because they are way easier than the cheap SS reels, for sure. I've never used the plastic reels, but I've used plenty of stainless. Once you've made the investment in the good reels... DON"T DROP "EM!!! I've never found the plastic ones very easy, and think a lot of people give up on the ss reels, because they've learned on ones that aren't good in some high school gang darkroom. Another advantage... they needn't be bone dry like the plastic reels, so you can do a second run of film the same day. Glad you like them!!

AgX · Dec 29, 2010

Katie said:
WOW. I went from spending 5 minutes crinkling my film on the plastic to about 10 seconds gliding in onto the SS reel. What a difference...

I never had any problems getting my films on a Jobo plastic reel. It takes me as much time as it takes to twist my hands.

One should not forget, there are several makes of plastic reels and at least two systems:
-) the "ratched" type with those balls on a wedge
-) the "thumb action" type (Jobo)

ann · Dec 29, 2010

120 on ss is much easier, 35 a bit more tricky, but just a little practice and people are fine.
We have both at school and most beginners opt for plastic, until they get to 120 and discover very quickly they need to move to ss.

Perhaps I was lucky, when i began this journey there weren't options. So one fought through the ss loading until finally it was a snap. Sometimes I have every reel in the lab loaded and it doesn't make any differences, but that is just years of pratice.

Moopheus · Dec 29, 2010

ann said:
We have both at school and most beginners opt for plastic, until they get to 120 and discover very quickly they need to move to ss.

I don't have too much of an issue with 120 on the Paterson reels--I just snip a leader at the end, and then it goes right on. I also like the Jobo tank for 4x5, though with the 2509n reel, the retaining clips are a bit of a pain in the dark. In the end, I think it has less to do with metal v. plastic as good design v. poor design, which clearly exists in either case.

jeffreyg · Dec 29, 2010

I'll go with the ss. My ss tanks and reels have worked just fine for almost forty years and are still in excellent condition although the flexible rubber lids have been replaced several times. Easy to load never a problem. Mostly 120 occasionally 35mm. Clip the corners of the leader on an angle and slightly curl the edges while letting the film self roll by lightly pushing on to the reel on the counter top.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

removed account4 · Dec 29, 2010

i have a plastic reels and never use them, even in their yankee tank ...

photoncatcher · Dec 29, 2010

The learning curve is actually pretty short, and the rewards are huge. The SS reels are much easier to work with, and the drying time between rolls can be cut down with a hair dryer, so you can up you rolls developed in a seesion. I've been using them for more years than some of you have been alive, and have yet to lose a roll. However, every once in a while I'llfind a roll that just does not want to go on smoothly. That's when patience pays off.

markbarendt · Dec 29, 2010

SuzanneR said:
Another advantage... they needn't be bone dry like the plastic reels, so you can do a second run of film the same day. Glad you like them!!

I actually reuse my plastic ones pretty quick. Tapping the water out well and regularly over a 1/2 hour or so seems to be plenty for me. I have also used a hair dryer when I was in a real hurry.

Having extra helps, I have enough reels to do 3 runs but only one tank. By the time I've run one or two tanks in between and tapped the reels a couple times the first reels are generally ready to go again.

AgX · Dec 29, 2010

Cromlech said:
SS for 120 or 135?

For 135, I can load the reel now only after two days of practice....

I loaded my very first type 135 on a Jobo plastic reel without anyone showing it to me and without detailed instruction. It went really smooth and fast from the very first try.

Anon Ymous · Dec 29, 2010

AgX said:
I loaded my very first type 135 on a Jobo plastic reel without anyone showing it to me and without detailed instruction. It went really smooth and fast from the very first try.

Ditto.

Rinthe · Dec 29, 2010

i too like SS reels better. you're not alone!

I must be the odd one out ... stainless steel reels are WAY easier than plastic!

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