Patterson reels utterly useless?

Boscoe · Sep 13, 2015

I've just tried to develop a film using one of my Patterson reels which were okay when I first got them. I tried the first one but the film refused to reel on about half way so took it off and tried again, nothing. Tried the second reel and ended up with my fingers all over the film by this point as this one didn't work either. The film creased and was damaged and now gone. Thanks Patterson, I wanted that film as well.

Anyone have suggestions for other makes?

ic-racer · Sep 13, 2015

Metal reels and Jobo reels are still available new if you want to switch brands.

Rick A · Sep 13, 2015

Make sure the ratchet balls are loose, not stuck. If you haven't used it in a while they may be jambed, may also be from not cleaning properly. Never expose the reels to PhotoFlo, it leaves a sticky residue.

pdeeh · Sep 13, 2015

Ah ... does this mean we are in for an episode of the Reel Wars?

Probably long overdue though ... :munch:

RobC · Sep 13, 2015

There's nothing wrong with paterson reels. Sounds more like a bad workman blaming his tools to me.

When you have finished using reels you must wash them clean, especially if you have dipped them in photo flo. And don't clean them with an abrasive pad. Then make sure they are fully dry before using again.

And clip a tiny bit off film corners before inserting so that they don't catch. And make sure your hands are dry and not sweaty when loading reels. Changing bags can get very humid inside very quickly if your hands are warm and sweaty and film will stick to reels easily when that happens.

Rick A · Sep 13, 2015

There are many threads on the subject of "why can't I load film on my plastic reels". They all come down to the same conclusion, cleanliness and keep them away from PhotoFlo.

StephenT · Sep 13, 2015

My "old" Paterson reels work fine for 35mm when started in the light. Not being able to start 120 film in the light, I find them almost impossible to load.

It was recommended by someone on this forum to buy some "new" Paterson clones with the much larger starting guide/ramp. They work like a charm. Best $10 I ever spent on darkroom accessories. They are readily available from the major mail order houses.

On the old ones used for 35mm, I round the corners off the start of the film and be sure that the film is beyond the ball bearings before I cut the lights and finish loading.

Ditto the PhotoFlo prohibition - if you use a wetting agent, do it off-reel.

Ko.Fe. · Sep 13, 2015

Rick A said:
There are many threads on the subject of "why can't I load film on my plastic reels". They all come down to the same conclusion, cleanliness and keep them away from PhotoFlo.

I soak my reels in PhotoFlo sometimes for 24H after developing is done. To clean them.

I have Paterson plastic reels and nothing else. I can't deal with metal ones at all.

I see sometimes thread about Paterson reel not letting film in. Most of the times it is something strange.
i'm asking if user is using it right by holding one reel of the reel rotating another one and feeding the film in by another hand.
The often thread dies after it

If not. I'll ask if film ends are cutter by 45 degree. And sometimes I'll ask if reel assembled right.

Cheers, Ko.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 13, 2015

Boscoe said:
I've just tried to develop a film using one of my Patterson reels which were okay when I first got them. I tried the first one but the film refused to reel on about half way so took it off and tried again, nothing. Tried the second reel and ended up with my fingers all over the film by this point as this one didn't work either. The film creased and was damaged and now gone. Thanks Patterson, I wanted that film as well.

Anyone have suggestions for other makes?

plastic reels, no matter what brand, only work right if they are absolutely dry;the tiniest bit of moisture in the tracks and the film will stick to it

photo flow never bothered me

frank · Sep 13, 2015

No problem here. They are all that I've used during my almost 40 years of processing. I did throw away some cheap non-Patterson plastic reels, and there was one time when I failed to load, but that was in a changing bag on a hot summer evening.

gone · Sep 13, 2015

As mentioned, there's is nothing wrong w/ Paterson reels. In fact, they're possibly the best designed plastic reels out there, and people have been using them successfully for decades. They work fine for my 35mm and 120 films, which is all I shoot. 120 is even easier than 35mm, as there is less film to roll up on the reel.

The trick w 120 (among many) is to bend the curve of the film backwards so that it doesn't have a sharp curl, make sure everything is perfectly dry, maybe cut off a teeny bit of the sharp leading edges of the film w/ your scissors in the film change bag or darkroom, and once the film is started, advance it smoothly using only one side of the reel to walk it onto the reel. Always use a toothbrush, hot water and a bit of soap to wash the reels afterwards, and pour your drying agent into a bowl and let you film uncurl into it rather than getting the stuff inside your tank and onto the reels.

Ian Grant · Sep 13, 2015

Reels need to also be clean, every time you unload them a trace of gelatin builds up on them from the film, a good wash in biological washing powder. I'm using Paterson reels I've had for 40+ years with no issues. A dishwasher tablet will work equally as well.

Ian

bvy · Sep 13, 2015

My Paterson reels go in PhotoFlo and Kodak Final Rinse all the time. The same reels, dozens and dozens of rolls of film, and I have no trouble loading the reels. My point is, I don't think complete prohibition is necessary, if you're fairly vigilant about cleaning the reels immediately after using them. I remove the film, drop the reel(s) back in the tank, fill with hot water (~130F), loosely cap it, shake it vigorously, dump and repeat. I only wash the reels with soap and brush every ten sessions or so.

R.Gould · Sep 13, 2015

The answer to the so called Patterson reel is oh so simple, and I have posted this so many times it is getting old hat, Take a pencil, run it around the groves in the reel,both sides, load film, sliops in like a hot knife though butter, works every time, do it every 2 or 3 films and Voila, no more problems, I have been doing this for as long as I have been developing films, it has never failed, second, should the film stick half way in because you forgotn to use the pencil, then a sharp tap on the work bench will, 99 times out of 100 free the film, works almost every time.

fotch · Sep 13, 2015

Go with Stainless Steel Hewes reels & almost any SS tank & never complain again.

pdeeh · Sep 13, 2015

R.Gould said:
The answer to the so called Patterson reel .

"so called"?

bvy · Sep 13, 2015

pdeeh said:
"so called"?

There's only one "t".

RobC · Sep 13, 2015

momus said:
As mentioned, there's is nothing wrong w/ Paterson reels. In fact, they're possibly the best designed plastic reels out there, and people have been using them successfully for decades.

That's my view too. Now if Jobo tanks could use paterson reels that would be the perfect match for that type of small tank inversion setup.

I have heard that the AP reels are easier to load due to the flat bit that guides film in but I've never used them. They're cheap too for anyone wanting 135 or 120 film tank and reels.

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/products/823/ap-developing-tank-universal

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/products/824/ap-developing-tank-reel

Marvin · Sep 13, 2015

Good reading as I just got a 2 reel Paterson tank. I am considering the 4x5 Paterson tank, as I am venturing into 4x5.

cliveh · Sep 13, 2015

Never had a problem with Paterson reels and as already said they should be bone dry before use.

Gerald C Koch · Sep 13, 2015

An easy trick when having difficulty loading a particular film on a reel is to load the film from the other end. Once a film kinks it will always kink at the same spot. This trick works with both plastic and metal reels.

Dali · Sep 13, 2015

After 30 years of use, I finally trashed recently 1 Paterson reel as I could not load 120 films anymore (but it was OK with 35mm films). I did clean it thoroughly but I could not get any improvement. If it costs me 1 reel every 30 years, I stick with the Paterson system (I never had any complain apart from the leaking lid (with fixer only)).

R.Gould · Sep 13, 2015

pdeeh said:
"so called"?

Typo should read ''so called'' patterson reel problems, as far as I am concerned the problem does not exist snd never has, use a pencil

R.Gould · Sep 13, 2015

cliveh said:
Never had a problem with Paterson reels and as already said they should be bone dry before use.

Using my pencil I have loaded then damp with no problems,

Alan9940 · Sep 13, 2015

Hmm, over the years I've read many threads concerning plastic reels, Patterson in particular, and took note of all the comments about clean/dry reels, no PhotoFlo should ever come in contact with the reel, etc, etc. Personally, I'm one (of perhaps the few) who could never got on with plastic reels; even when my System 4 reels were brand new. As a matter of fact, I never used the Patterson system because I couldn't reliably load the reels. Been using stainless for 40 years without a single issue.

Patterson reels utterly useless?

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