Metal Reels: Am I the only one who can't use them?

rockphotographer · May 19, 2014

For nearly 20 years, I have attempted to have a successful development using stainless reels. I use my Jobo reels (which at times can be problematic as well if they're not bone dry) and I use Patterson style reels with absolutely no hiccups whatsoever.

I cannot seem to get the film loaded evenly into the reel. I always end up with some spots of non-developed film, or nearly a half a roll totally undeveloped.

Is there a trick that I can learn to make this work reliably or am I just inept...hah??

Thanks

Charles R. Lawson, CPP
The Highlander Studios

BetterSense · May 19, 2014

I won't use anything else.

Getting it started is the key. And using reels that are straight.

Jeff Kubach · May 20, 2014

I have problems with metal reels also.

Jeff

Xmas · May 20, 2014

Working in dark difficult...

Only do what works for you.

snapguy · May 20, 2014

reel time

I just loaded a roll of 120 film on a steel reel for the first time since the 1990s. I took my time. You have to have the film loaded in straight. But you pretty much know when it is loading onto the reel correctly by the sound it makes. I can't describe it. When you do get it right, you'll hear that particular sound. It is a bear to use those reels but I can do it. I have trouble with the plastic reels. Different strokes for different blokes, I guess. Good luck.

winger · May 20, 2014

I use plastic (Yankee, I think) reels for 35mm and Hewes stainless for 120. You do what works for YOU. I had problems with 120 on stainless until I found a video by J Brunner showing how to load them. That helped tremendously. It does matter whether the stainless reel is in good shape or not.

Richard S. (rich815) · May 20, 2014

Hewes

David Brown · May 20, 2014

The choice of reels is like the choice of camera, tim, etc. They all work fine once you learn how to use them. Use the one that is easiest for you.

You're not the only one. Many people can't seem to get the hang of steel reels, while I (and others) can't see what the problem is.

Tom1956 · May 20, 2014

The trick is to have a fingernail on your left index finger (if you're R handed) the purpose for this is to be sure you've got the reel turned the correct direction for loading. If you are trying to load the film in the opposite direction of the spirals, then it's a complete exercise in frustration. Given correct orientation, it's only a matter of squeezing the film to create a "bow" across the width of the film. Last but not least is to find 1 of the 4 center openings where there's no DAMN CLIP!

Ken Nadvornick · May 20, 2014

Richard Sintchak (rich815) said:
Hewes

Most of the time this is the answer. People always attribute their inability to load stainless steel reels to their own ineptitude. That's understandable human nature. But very often it's not their inability that is the problem. It's cheap, subtly bent reels, often purchased used to save a few dollars.

I have two sets of SS reels in my darkroom that I've collected over the years. One bag sits on the uppermost shelf in a labeled zip lock bag. These are the reels that won't load no matter how hard I try. And trust me, I know how to load them correctly.

The second set are the ones that will load. From this bag I have the subset that I regularly use. I don't think I've ever mis-loaded a single one of these reels.

Try this. Take one of your reels that just will not load for you. Roll it across a table like a wheel and watch it carefully. If it does not roll absolutely smoothly and symmetrically and in a perfectly straight line, just like an automobile tire, it's bent. Put it in the "bad" bag on your shelf and find another.

Or, as Richard advises, pony up and buy the Hewes reels. They will load perfectly for both the rest of your lifetime, and the lifetime of the next photographer your wife sells them to at your estate sale...

Ken

Tom1956 · May 20, 2014

Honeywell Nikor. That's all you need to know about metal tanks and reels. NASA knew it during the Apollo missions.

R.Gould · May 20, 2014

I hate steel reels, the only time I had problems and damaged films was loading steel reels, give me patterson or jobo any time

miha · May 20, 2014

I use both, but prefer steel, Kindermann in my case.

NB23 · May 20, 2014

Plastic reels? Lolll

darkosaric · May 20, 2014

I am using this one - super easy to load, you can use it for 35mm, 127 and 120 films. Never had any problems at all.

Nuff · May 20, 2014

As others have said, get proper reels and check if they are straight. If you watch YouTube vids, the good ones practically self load.

I just dropped on of my 35mm reel on floor and it bent. Now it will not load, no matter how hard I try to straighten it, it doesn't get as straight as it needs to be.

Peter Simpson · May 20, 2014

Funny, I just developed my first two rolls in over 40 years, and I used an old Nikor tank and reel. I don't care for the plastic ones. Shove the end of the film in the center, then place the reel edge on the table (the reel is vertical, like a wheel), feeding with the right hand and rotating the reel, rim in contact with the table, with the left. Having the reel edge in contact with the table means you know the reel is straight, all you have to worry about is flexing the film and keeping it aligned as the reel rotates.

It's hard getting started, I won't deny that, but there's a "feel" when it's going on right. The Nikor reel I have has wire blocking three of the four possible entry points to the hub, so if the film goes in, you know it's at the start of the rails. Once you start rotating, with just a slight cupping of the film, it should "snap" into the rails. Slow and steady does it, and don't over-cup the film - a very slight pressure on the edges is all you need.

Good luck!

(Oh, yeah -- Nikor all the way! Made in Springfield, MA!)

Newt_on_Swings · May 20, 2014

Plastic for me, the steel reels are a headache and really easy to bend if dropped. Also when doing 120, plastic is the easiest way to put 2 rolls on a single reel reliably and quickly.

Truzi · May 20, 2014

The first time I loaded a steel reel I didn't know you were supposed to start from the center. Instead I tried to feed it from the outside, like a plastic reel but without the ratcheting action. Needless to say, the film buckled and stuck to itself, ruining almost half the frames. I then used plastic for a while, but when I finally learned how to load the steel I decided I like them better. After liking steel better for a while I finally got some Hewes reels - they are very nice.

As far a being bent, I had a 120 reel that would not load right, but did roll just fine. When I put it on it's sides I noticed a slight bend on only one coil. It was like a table with one leg just the tiniest bit too short - it did not sit completely flat (this was a used reel of unknown origin). It doesn't take much.

darkosaric · May 20, 2014

For those that don't like plastic reels - what do you find problematic? Did you had some negative experiences, or just don't like them? So far only problems I hear are from metal ones...

Dave Ludwig · May 20, 2014

I'm with Richard and Ken, Hewes, and the roll test, weebles wooble but they don't fall down. If you drop one, buy a new one. Loading is like anything else- practice. Sacrifice a roll and do it will watching tv, getting the lead edge into the clip far enough is the first step, 2nd is to make sure the lead edge is centered top to bottom, use your fingers to feel the lead corners and slight film curve top and bottom is equal. Just dropped one the other day - finito! On 35mm reels if it is not centered you will feel one corner of the lead edge stick up through the reel on the first wrap. If it's on straight and the reel is good - damn near loads itself.

Truzi · May 20, 2014

darkosaric said:
For those that don't like plastic reels - what do you find problematic? Did you had some negative experiences, or just don't like them? So far only problems I hear are from metal ones...

I supposed you could say "negative" experiences, lol.
After I learned to properly use steel, I found it was faster (for me) than plastic. Also steel tanks take less fluid, being wet when loading isn't so much an issue, and they look cooler

Nuff · May 20, 2014

darkosaric said:
For those that don't like plastic reels - what do you find problematic? Did you had some negative experiences, or just don't like them? So far only problems I hear are from metal ones...

You just have to look up all of the threads about people having issues loading plastic ones. Mine was film getting stuck and not wanting to move up. That was 120 film, I had to use the pencil trick. 35mm would just load half way and get stuck, again pencil trick. Issue with the pencil trick I had to redo the reels every 3 rolls or so. And it's just too much effort to clean the reels, pencil the links etc. I don't need to do it any more and they load much faster. I have LPL reels, for 120 it takes 30sec to load and 35mm in 1min. That's in changing bag too. I have some Hewes 35mm reels coming in, since I bent one and I want to process more reels at the same time.

And like mentioned above, steel reels take less liquid. In my case, 2 x 120 reels use 810ml vs paterson's 1000ml. 4 x 35mm reels use 900ml vs paterson's 1200ml. If you use non replenishing developer, it adds up. Especially in place like Australia, where some chems cost an arm and a leg.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 20, 2014

darkosaric said:
For those that don't like plastic reels - what do you find problematic? Did you had some negative experiences, or just don't like them? So far only problems I hear are from metal ones...

Darko, where I live it gets extremely humid in the summer. 90-95% relative humidity is not uncommon. When it's that humid the film sticks to the plastic of the reels and won't load. Air conditioning? Yes, I have a whole house AC unit, but I don't want to run it more than necessary to save energy.

To the OP - if your stainless steel reels are not straight you WILL have problems. I have purchased and used Hewes reels for years now, and they are an exceptionally good product. Not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. They are straight and are a breeze to load.
Recently I purchased a 220 stainless reel from B&H, because it was cheap and I needed to process a couple of rolls of 220 film. When I received the reel, of the KALT brand, it was obvious that it was bent, and when I tried to load a dummy film on it, it just did not work. I tried five times, inside and outside my changing bag, eyes open and eyes closed. About half way through the roll it just went South for me, not matter how I tried.

If you plan on using stainless steel metal reels, you have to buy quality ones. That is the bottom line of just about every story I read relating to problems loading this type of reel.

snapguy · May 20, 2014

forgot

In mulling over the situation I forgot one important aspect. Cheap, thin wire reels don't work worth a durn. I echo those who suggest Honeywell Nikor reels are the best. In my darkroom salad days when I came across a cheap reel with thin wire, I would throw it in the trash. I cannot harp on how much you need to use very good reels.

Metal Reels: Am I the only one who can't use them?

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