Nikor steel reel containers not filling up, clogging

[horacekenneth]

I have one steel developing container, labeled P.R.O and it works very well. I recently received two Nikor containers, the same size (1 120 or 2 35s). I started to pour the developer in and after maybe 100ml, the developer started backflowing out of the top. I tried the other container and the same thing happened.

I figure the air is somehow not being allowed out, which seems strange to me. Tapping the container on my work surface had no noticeable effect but pulling the lid up from the container, just a crack, did allow the chemicals to start flowing again. Problem was a fair amount of it flowed out of the crack between the lid and the container, so I lost about 50-100mL of developer.

Needless to say I should have tested them first before putting film in there but what in the world is happening? I had no idea this was a potential problem. Is it fixable? Is it Nikor?

 

[trythis]

Try tipping the container while filling it.

 

[frobozz]

I am a Nikor fan from 45 years. But at some time, Nikor made some models with this screwy little piece of sheet metal insert in the top mouth of the tank. I throw these tanks in the garbage. They're totally worthless. With that stupid miserable insert, it takes the whole development time just to get the chemical into the damn tank. What were they THINKING?
If you have one of these, forget tipping, or anything else. You can stand on your head and whistle Dixie, but that developer ain't going into that tank at any more that a trickle.

I tip those at about 45 degrees so that the smaller section of the opening is upmost, and they fill plenty fast. Obviously the style without the divider fills fast just by tipping 45 degrees in any old direction.

Throwing those out is not an option if it's a 2*35 tank tall enough to hold 2 Hewes reels (a gem to hold on to!), or a 4x5 tank (unless you're lucky enough to someday trade up to the newer style lid without the divider.)

Duncan

 

[480sparky]

I don't really throw photographic items in the garbage, despite how many times I've claimed that on here. It's sacrilege. But those tanks with those dividers are totally worthless to me. So, unwanted photographic junk like that just clutters up my home. That was a dumb idea, putting that divider in there. And every time I've ever seen something I like go "new, improved" in the grocery store or somewhere, I've learned to just ignore the existence of it and switch brands to something else. That's my rant on those stupid dividers. Thank you.

If something truly is 'new and improved', what were we using before..... old and lousy?

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Tipping will help

Try tipping the container while filling it.

My Nikor tank lid has a opening that has a divider that separates into 2. It's roughy 1/3 - 2/3. The divided part that's 1/3 is for escaping air and the 2/3 opening is for incoming chemicals. So tip the tank with the 2/3 down so the chemical could flow in. Bought them used on Ebay and and they work great. One only issue is sometimes I have a hard time opening the cap from the tank. That's how precise they are.

 

[M Carter]

I don't really throw photographic items in the garbage, despite how many times I've claimed that on here. It's sacrilege. But those tanks with those dividers are totally worthless to me. So, unwanted photographic junk like that just clutters up my home. That was a dumb idea, putting that divider in there. And every time I've ever seen something I like go "new, improved" in the grocery store or somewhere, I've learned to just ignore the existence of it and switch brands to something else. That's my rant on those stupid dividers. Thank you.

Y'know, I bet old stainless tanks would make nice cocktail shakers, if they have their lids!

For the photographer who has everything...

 

[Rick A]

Y'know, I bet old stainless tanks would make nice cocktail shakers, if they have their lids!

For the photographer who has everything...

Yup, and sometimes we didn't even bother to rinse them out first.

 

[fotch]

Geezs, I will have to look at mine. I have purchase a couple that I have not used. Never had a problem with any that I have used. I guess tipping it, if you have that type, solves the problem. I also like filling the tank with the lid off then in the dark, drop the loaded reel in the tank and put the lid on. That is why I like having extra tanks around, although I don't always do that.

 

[horacekenneth]

Yep, it's got those dividers. I will try tipping, thank you.

I can't find any info about P.R.O online but in their lid design the air escapes from a thin hole that goes around the filling hole. No tipping necessary.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

The most effective way and the way pros do it is to fill the temperature conditoned tank with proper temp developer and add the reels in the dark, single and double reel tanks can be done by holding reels with your hand, 4-8 reel tanks require a lifting rod.

Start the time with an 5 sec time, count to 5 and drop in the reels. Commence any agitation process you like. Pour out thru the closed top as the first few seconds are what cause mottling.

Pouring thru the top allows developer to flow over some of the film and not other parts and WILL give uneven development , more easily the larger the tank.

Fix is process that goes to completion so it is not a problem. I never use water or short stop. Fix is acid and stops development and I never reuse it for film.