Is Paterson still in business?

[Deleted member 88956]

I think Paterson has a reputation of making plastic darkroom equipment, because that is what they do. IMO most of their darkroom stuff is cheap and junky, starting with their developing tank system, which mixes excessive amounts of air into solutions if use for inversion agitation. Their grain focusers give you a headache from eyestrain. The print washers are also cheap plastic, easily break. and are very noisy to use. Their agitation system barely works unless watched all of the time. So, I don't care if Paterson is still in business, but remain surprised that they are. They filed bankruptcy some years ago, and I though we were rid of them then. I've purchased a number of Paterson products in the past, but except for a graduated cylinder (plastic), I gave it all away.

Sad you could not bring yourself to grips and appreciate at least some of their quality products. I don't get your rant about developing tanks either, it is actually & factually bolex if you ask me. Not everything they ever made was to compete with much higher priced products, typically long gone from production BTW, and some were just to fulfill a description without being anywhere near all that useful. So, their grain focuser for example was indeed at a low end of usefulness and I always thought much overpriced for what it delivered (yet not useless).

But it is good they are still out there fulfilling growing needs. Trays are great even if now there are lots of options, especially in large sizes coming from, well ... gardening supply chain.

 

[BMbikerider]

Actually I use their 'Major'. Grain focuser because I simply cannot extend my arms from adjusting the focussing knob and looking through the viewfinder of my 'Peak' focuser at the same time! I always double check with Peak focuser afterwards as this allows me to view into the corners.When compared with each other I find it different to see any difference between them.

Some of the Paterson items I did find a problem with, their developing tanks were never completely water tight so when you inverted them there was always a drop or three came out. Their enlarging lenses were rubbish too, but given the price, they were usable - just. But all other items I have used over the years have done what they were supposed to do.

 

[Ian Grant]

I think Paterson has a reputation of making plastic darkroom equipment, because that is what they do. IMO most of their darkroom stuff is cheap and junky, starting with their developing tank system, which mixes excessive amounts of air into solutions if use for inversion agitation. Their grain focusers give you a headache from eyestrain. The print washers are also cheap plastic, easily break. and are very noisy to use. Their agitation system barely works unless watched all of the time. So, I don't care if Paterson is still in business, but remain surprised that they are. They filed bankruptcy some years ago, and I though we were rid of them then. I've purchased a number of Paterson products in the past, but except for a graduated cylinder (plastic), I gave it all away.

What a lot of garbage, I've used Paterson tanks for over 50 years with no issues, they are well made work perfectly I've used them for B&W,E3, E6, C41.

Ian

 

[AgX]

.... starting with their developing tank system, which mixes excessive amounts of air into solutions if use for inversion agitation.

But all competing products act the same.
Have I missed some point ?

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Actually I use their 'Major'. Grain focuser because I simply cannot extend my arms from adjusting the focussing knob and looking through the viewfinder of my 'Peak' focuser at the same time! I always double check with Peak focuser afterwards as this allows me to view into the corners.When compared with each other I find it different to see any difference between them.

Some of the Paterson items I did find a problem with, their developing tanks were never completely water tight so when you inverted them there was always a drop or three came out. Their enlarging lenses were rubbish too, but given the price, they were usable - just. But all other items I have used over the years have done what they were supposed to do.

Interesting to read about Paterson tanks leakage problem, never had that and always use inversion agitation. I do know the lid has a point of proper snap into place for tight fit, wonder if that was part of the problem.

 

[markbau]

I know that they don't answer emails and their distributor here in Australia is a nightmare to deal with,
Always liked their tanks which behave well after you learn to "burp" them.

 

[ic-racer]

I used Patterson tank system in the 1970s. It was high quality back then. I then switched to Jobo, which seemed to be designed a little better. Like the reels did not collect air and the graduates poured with a better stream. I do still use my 600ml and 150ml Patterson graduates from 1974, though they are a little yellow.

Update: I recently got some Patterson 'pin' style film holders and they are very nice. I looked and see that I also have the Patterson chemical stirrer which works well.
Looks like my 16x20 and 12x16" trays are also Patterson. Those 12x16" are very nice for 11x14" paper, because the extra size makes the paper easy to manage. Some of the best trays I have used.

 

[Neal]

I love Paterson trays. The tanks are extremely well made.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

One piece of plastic darkroom gear I love made by Patterson is my Orbital color print processor. I process sheet film up to 8x10 inches with little chemistry. Besides darkroom gear, I own a Benbo tripod. A great piece of gear.

 

[BMbikerider]

Interesting to read about Paterson tanks leakage problem, never had that and always use inversion agitation. I do know the lid has a point of proper snap into place for tight fit, wonder if that was part of the problem.

It may be one of the earlier yanks with the screw lids, I know they made one later with a different design where the lid was flexible and clipped in place.. I have not used one of those for at least 30+ years. Before that I use stainless and Durst plastic which were both central feed, and were consistently leakproof, but now I have a few made by JOBO to use in the rotary processor.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

It may be one of the earlier yanks with the screw lids, I know they made one later with a different design where the lid was flexible and clipped in place.. I have not used one of those for at least 30+ years. Before that I use stainless and Durst plastic which were both central feed, and were consistently leakproof, but now I have a few made by JOBO to use in the rotary processor.

If that was the old style then I wouldn't know the difference, only used the snap on lid.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I love Paterson trays. The tanks are extremely well made.

So do I. I have a 35 year old developer tray that’s silver plated at the bottom. It looks gross, but it’s like an old friend. You can’t process Fuji HRT fim in it because the troughs leave marks on the film. But they work better than flat bottom trays.

 

[R.Gould]

It may be one of the earlier yanks with the screw lids, I know they made one later with a different design where the lid was flexible and clipped in place.. I have not used one of those for at least 30+ years. Before that I use stainless and Durst plastic which were both central feed, and were consistently leakproof, but now I have a few made by JOBO to use in the rotary processor.

I have one of the older system 4 tanks with the screw lids, and again I find that it is possible to burp the lid and no leaks, It's not a tank I use much, only if I have a lot of films to develop, mostly use the super synten 4, but in the past I have used several of the older systen 4 tanks when they came out, I use a lot of Patterson darkroom equipment, good qualuty without breaking the bank,
Richard

 

[Ian Grant]

I have various Paterson tanks going back to the original 1949 tanks, these were not e=sealed for inversion and had a twisting system for agitation. I have a lot of the Paterson Major II series tanks these were great for colour work (E3) as they need much less chemistry than earlier or later tanks, I have double and triple tanks as well as single reel, that's how many 120 films not 35mm.

These Major II tanks were introduced the year I was born and still work perfectly today. I have tanks from quite a few other manufacturers and rate Paterson amongst the best for 35mm and 120, I have Jobo's that can be used for 5x4, and also have 35mm and 120 spirals but only ever use them for 5x4.

I dislike stainless steel tanks but had no issues using SS spirals in deep tank cages, it's just the tanks themselves I don't like.

Ian

 

[ciniframe]

From my start in developing film I used what my friends used, Nikor SS tanks and reels. Bought used in 1970. Then around 1995, buying cameras I had always been curious about in my youth, found a need to develop 16mm for my Minolta 16II. The only current tank listed on B&H site that could adjust to 16mm was a Yankee something or other. It was brittle junk. But several on submini forum said the old Yankee ‘Master’ tank was better quality and twas true. Have picked up two off of ebay, one NOS in box. Even tried them with 35 and 120 and they work okay although with 120 I use a lead-in made out of milk jug plastic to start the roll.

 

[darkroommike]

Interesting to read about Paterson tanks leakage problem, never had that and always use inversion agitation. I do know the lid has a point of proper snap into place for tight fit, wonder if that was part of the problem.

The Super System 4 tanks have that big lid but the earlier System 4 with the smaller lids do leak, drip, and drizzle (all at the same time) but the Super Tank, if you "burp" the lid do not drip. Note though I had one replacement lid that did not fit well at all, I wonder if there was too much "reclaim" in that batch of plastic.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

The Super System 4 tanks have that big lid but the earlier System 4 with the smaller lids do leak, drip, and drizzle (all at the same time) but the Super Tank, if you "burp" the lid do not drip. Note though I had one replacement lid that did not fit well at all, I wonder if there was too much "reclaim" in that batch of plastic.

At current rate we will all be in the state of "reclaim" not worth much, just plain expendables.