Nikor Film Tank Question

mtlc · Jul 31, 2024

Hello,

I just got a new (to me) Nikor film tank with stainless reels for 120 film. The tank holds four 120 reels and I noticed that the reels slide back and forth in the tank. I haven't tried developing any film yet but am wondering if this sliding back and forth when agitating will harm the film? I've only used plastic reels with a Patterson style tank before and those don't seem to move around much.

Thanks,

GregY · Jul 31, 2024

mtlc said:
Hello,

I just got a new (to me) Nikor film tank with stainless reels for 120 film. The tank holds four 120 reels and I noticed that the reels slide back and forth in the tank. I haven't tried developing any film yet but am wondering if this sliding back and forth when agitating will harm the film? I've only used plastic reels with a Patterson style tank before and those don't seem to move around much.

Thanks,

Do you have enough room to add an empty 35mm reel on top?

bdial · Jul 31, 2024

It’s probably not a problem, but you may need to tune your agitation technique. How much extra space do you have?

mshchem · Jul 31, 2024

That's a big Nikor tank. Just don't over agitate, follow Ilford's instructions.

These bigger tanks were often filled, then the reels lowered into the developer in the dark.

Chuck1 · Jul 31, 2024

How much extra room?
They might be for long reels

Paul Howell · Jul 31, 2024

I have the same tank, I when processing 3 reels I put in an empty 120 and a 110 reel if 4 then just the 110 reel to keep the reels from moving while inverting the tank. I don't think the small empty space is harmful, just a habit I picked up in the Air Force. My first assignment we did shoot a fair amount of 120 and my NCOIC did not like the reels "slouching" around as he put it. Later labs with different supervisors did not care one way or the other.

summicron1 · Jul 31, 2024

It won't harm the film, but an empty reel to fill in the space can't hurt, certainly. Just be sure to only use as much chemistry as will cover the reels that have film.

might be simpler to find a shorter tank -- one for two 120 or four 35, or even one that only hold 2 35s or one 120 -- I rarely trust the gods enough to do four rolls of 120 at once and that's a lot of chemistry.

MattKing · Aug 1, 2024

Filling the space with an empty reel or some other spacer is a good idea - if only because otherwise inversion results in an infernal racket!

Philippe-Georges · Aug 1, 2024

Roll the tank (on the table top) instead of inverting...

eli griggs · Aug 1, 2024

Try putting a quality rubber ball, like a N.Y.Hand Ball in the tank put the lid back on and fill as usual.

The ball is hollow and will compress as needed to take up space to buffer any sliding action.

Little Red balls, like the ones found on paddle boards or larger, for tossing catch, usually have a shiny 'skin' finish that will flake off and you don't want any part of that.

Don't cut, or allow a ball that has a hole in it into your tank, it'll fill up with developer, etc and won't drain properly as you dump the just finished chemistry, making for a ruined chemical bath or negatives.

IMO.

Eli

Philippe-Georges · Aug 1, 2024

eli griggs said:
Try putting a quality rubber ball, like a N.Y.Hand Ball in the tank put the lid back on and fill as usual.

The ball is hollow and will compress as needed to take up space to buffer any sliding action.

Little Red balls, like the ones found on paddle boards or larger, for tossing catch, usually have a shiny 'skin' finish that will flake off and you don't want any part of that.

Don't cut, or allow a ball that has a hole in it into your tank, it'll fill up with developer, etc and won't drain properly as you dump the just finished chemistry, making for a ruined chemical bath or negatives.

IMO.

Eli

The little hollow ping-pong (=table tennis) ball kind of balls from deodorant rollers will fit too...
Recicle!

mtlc · Aug 1, 2024

Thanks everyone! I ordered a 35 mm reel and will try putting that in.

Terrence Brennan · Aug 1, 2024

I have a number of Nikor tanks, from the 1 35mm reel to the 8 reel variety, and I use spacers made from ABS plumbing drain pipe, cut to the correct length so that the reels don’t move in the tank.

I cut them using a fine teeth hacksaw and a mitre box, slightly longer than they need to be, and use a square file to make notches on one side that will fit neatly into the “arms” on the tank. That is to say, the rods to which the spiral which holds the film in place, is attached.

The cut edges of the spacer usually need to be touched up with some very fine emery paper. Be sure to use new pipe, not anything that was removed from use as a drain, as they are invariably filthy.

mtlc · Aug 1, 2024

Terrence Brennan said:
I have a number of Nikor tanks, from the 1 35mm reel to the 8 reel variety, and I use spacers made from ABS plumbing drain pipe, cut to the correct length so that the reels don’t move in the tank.

I cut them using a fine teeth hacksaw and a mitre box, slightly longer than they need to be, and use a square file to make notches on one side that will fit neatly into the “arms” on the tank. That is to say, the rods to which the spiral which holds the film in place, is attached.

The cut edges of the spacer usually need to be touched up with some very fine emery paper. Be sure to use new pipe, not anything that was removed from use as a drain, as they are invariably filthy.

Thanks!

chriscrawfordphoto · Aug 1, 2024

If it holds four reels, always put four reels in it; use empty ones to make up the total if you're developing fewer rolls. There will still be some extra space, a couple inches if I remember right; its been a long time since I used that size Nikor tank. That extra space won't hurt anything.

Paul Howell · Aug 1, 2024

mtlc said:
Thanks everyone! I ordered a 35 mm reel and will try putting that in.

Might be too large, with mine the 110 reel is just the right size.

Nikor Film Tank Question

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