Paterson Tanks: NOT Indestructable

bjorke · Jul 9, 2006

...as I found out today from a puddle of Rodinal (well, Fomodon R09) all over the table top. Fortunately the leak was small enough that the film inside was unharmed, but I was still stuck continuing through a leaky stop bath, leaky fix, leaky wash.... grr. I can't FIND the crack, but it seems dead-center in the bottom.

After only 18 years of service being rapped and dropped and tossed about, the thing got a tiny crack. What a piece of junk

(Frustration: I probably can't find a replacement on Sunday, and I'm in no mood to dig out the old metal reels)

Konical · Jul 9, 2006

Good Morning, Bjorke,

I had a similar experience back in the 1970's. I followed the usual advice to give the tank a sharp rap on the counter to dislodge air bubbles. I suppose I was a bit too enthusiastic, because the tank cracked and started leaking. Fortunately, I was able to prevent a disaster by holding the tank tightly together throughout the remainder of the processing. The crack, if I recall correctly, was a couple of inches long; I was later able to weld it back together with model cement and subsequently used the tank with no problems. I still have the Patterson tank and reels and could use them if necessary, but I long ago changed over to stainless steel and find it vastly superior.

Konical

ricksplace · Jul 9, 2006

I had one of my (old style) Paterson tanks crack. The top light trap came away from the lid. Probably from all the rapping on the table. I fixed it with crazy glue. It has broken again since, and I just reglue it. I have three other Paterson tanks, all of them more than 15 years old. Bjorke- you are right. What a piece of junk. Only lasted for 20 years before breaking.

I have lots of stainless tanks and reels, and I never use them.

Christopher Colley · Jul 9, 2006

With my stainless tank I generally worry more about cracking my sink..

bjorke · Jul 9, 2006

To be fair: the crack came not from normal use and rapping on the counter, but from being accidentally knocked off the table, being tossed across the room, and falling onto the hard floor.

It's just like the book of Job, I'm tellin' ya.

Changeling1 · Jul 9, 2006

bjorke said:
...as I found out today from a puddle of Rodinal (well, Fomodon R09) all over the table top. Fortunately the leak was small enough that the film inside was unharmed, but I was still stuck continuing through a leaky stop bath, leaky fix, leaky wash.... grr. I can't FIND the crack, but it seems dead-center in the bottom.

After only 18 years of service being rapped and dropped and tossed about, the thing got a tiny crack. What a piece of junk

(Frustration: I probably can't find a replacement on Sunday, and I'm in no mood to dig out the old metal reels)

IF you buy this system new- Paterson has (or did have) a lifetime warranty on their tanks. I've gone through several "pieces of junk" ( ) over the years and when they started leaking I'd simply take the tank back to Freestyle or Calumet where I was always cheerfully

given a new tank. I only had problems with the 8 reel tanks. The store would then send the leaker back to Paterson and be credited accordingly. My original two
-reel Paterson tank and plastic reels which I bought in 1977 still work flawlessly due to the much smaller volume of the chemistry needed for a small tank thus lessening the stress the tank receives when being tapped on a hard counter-top.

Ian Grant · Jul 9, 2006

Unlike you oldtimers I've not been using Paterson tanks that long

I've only ever had one tank fail it split during processing an important 8 rolls of 35mm film from a commercial shoot, partially fogging some frames adjacent to the split, that was in the mid 70's, I no longer use the 8 reel tanks !

More seriously Paterson tanks are excellent I must have 15+ of various sizes, not counting earlier versions going back to the first models which are long retired

I think I first used a Paterson tank in 1962.

Ian

Papa Tango · Jul 9, 2006

bjorke said:
After only 18 years of service being rapped and dropped and tossed about, the thing got a tiny crack. What a piece of junk

(Frustration: I probably can't find a replacement on Sunday, and I'm in no mood to dig out the old metal reels)

You should write them post-haste and demand a replacement or you will let everyone on the internet know what crap they sell...

haris · Jul 10, 2006

My first tank was Hama. First time I dropped it from my hands, it broke. And it wasn't even full, it was after developing, when I washed it. But I would like to have its type of reel im my Jobo tank. Loading 120 film (and 35mm) was child play with Hama reel... Unfortunatelly Hama reel can't be put in Jobo tank

So question: since I am used to Jobo tank (as amateur I have only one), is it wise to stay with them or get Paterson? I will buy few more tanks in next month or so, so this is time to ask

Ole · Jul 10, 2006

I had eight 120 films to develop yesterday, and two tanks: A Jobo and a Paterson. Three reels for the Jobo, three for the Paterson.

Even if the Jobo reels are designed to take two 120 films end-to-end, it's a lot easier to do on the Paterson reels. I ended up doing six films in the three Paterson reels, ans the last two in separate runs in the Jobo.

The way you load the reels is very similar, but the paterson reels are in a different class. BTW, I attach roll 2 to the end of roll 1 with the tape already on the film, just rip it off the backing paper and stick it to the next roll.

haris · Jul 10, 2006

That is what I don't get in first place. With Jobo reels there is plastic separator for 2 120 films, and separator is normally attached on outside side of reel in it attachment hole. But, how the h... someone knows when first film is in position in reel that allow separator to be placed on reel, and to allow to load second film... So, being stupid, I load films in separate reels...

Fotohuis · Jul 11, 2006

You can feel when loading the first 120 roll film when it's on the end and also then you push the red clip in the reel and load the second 120 roll film in the reel. Not really a big deal unless you have a terrible curling film. Two 120 roll films in a 485ml volume. 500 ml also fits so a very compact tank for developing 120 roll films.

bjorke · Jul 11, 2006

Worse, one that same puddling cycle of process I ran out of distilled water for final rinse! I've gotten spoiled by having spotless negs (or nearly so) very cnsitently, and putting just a little (filtered) tap water left me with lots of ugly stains. Had to spot with PS forver to make this still-dirty scan -- will try to re-wash the negs later and hope this %^$#!! will come off.

Rolleijoe · Jul 11, 2006

I had a similar experience back in 2000. I'd just bought a new 5 reel tank from B&H on my last trip in the city before moving to Maui. Needed more capacity than the older style Paterson I'd been using since 1978 could give.

After 3x of use, it cracked during development. I finished those rolls, called Paterson, and they shipped out a new one right away. No questions asked. I just had to send in the broken one.

The replacement's been going fine for when I just have a few rolls to develop, otherwise I use the JOBO ATL3.

Rolleijoe · Jul 11, 2006

bjorke said:
Worse, one that same puddling cycle of process I ran out of distilled water for final rinse! I've gotten spoiled by having spotless negs (or nearly so) very cnsitently, and putting just a little (filtered) tap water left me with lots of ugly stains. Had to spot with PS forver to make this still-dirty scan -- will try to re-wash the negs later and hope this %^$#!! will come off.

You ARE washing in fotoflo, right? Can take care of a multitude of sins.

pandino · Jul 11, 2006

Try repairing the tank with JB Weld. The kneaded variety can be molded to fit just about any shape. That goo fixes everything. I rescued a worthless 6x9 Graflex Back with a thimble-full of it..

NikoSperi · Jul 12, 2006

bjorke said:
After only 18 years of service being rapped and dropped and tossed about, the thing got a tiny crack. What a piece of junk

No wonder they say digital is free, film is expensive... it broke after only 18 years??? Jeez! Now you have to go out and "upgrade"... what, about $30?

Keith Tapscott. · Jul 12, 2006

Ole said:
I had eight 120 films to develop yesterday, and two tanks: A Jobo and a Paterson. Three reels for the Jobo, three for the Paterson.

Even if the Jobo reels are designed to take two 120 films end-to-end, it's a lot easier to do on the Paterson reels. I ended up doing six films in the three Paterson reels, ans the last two in separate runs in the Jobo.

The way you load the reels is very similar, but the paterson reels are in a different class. BTW, I attach roll 2 to the end of roll 1 with the tape already on the film, just rip it off the backing paper and stick it to the next roll.

I am the opposite, I like the the Paterson reels but prefer the Jobo reels for loading 120 size rolls.

Keith Tapscott. · Jul 12, 2006

Ole said:
I had eight 120 films to develop yesterday, and two tanks: A Jobo and a Paterson. Three reels for the Jobo, three for the Paterson.

Even if the Jobo reels are designed to take two 120 films end-to-end, it's a lot easier to do on the Paterson reels. I ended up doing six films in the three Paterson reels, ans the last two in separate runs in the Jobo.

The way you load the reels is very similar, but the paterson reels are in a different class. BTW, I attach roll 2 to the end of roll 1 with the tape already on the film, just rip it off the backing paper and stick it to the next roll.

I forgot to mention that`s a good idea for loading two #120 films on a Paterson reel.
Cheers.

pnance · Jul 12, 2006

Christopher Colley said:
With my stainless tank I generally worry more about cracking my sink..

I also use SS and have the same worry for my new resin coated sink, so I keep a small piece of 2x4 to put in the sink to rap the tank against, no worries mate!

Paterson Tanks: NOT Indestructable

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