Patterson reels utterly useless?

[BradS]

Odd. I have developed over 300 rolls of film using the same Paterson reels AND Photo Flo. Never a problem.

Yours is but one more data point. Surely you can allow that others have noticed an effect attributable to the use of PhotoFlo. I am not a chemist but I suspect that the effect attributable to PhotoFlo maybe a little complex. Maybe there is an interaction with other environmental factors? Clearly, the effect is not binary (all-or-nothing) and it is probably relatively small.

My personal experience, and again, I've been using Paterson reels for about 30 years, is that PhotoFlo does seem to have a small effect. Keeping the reels clean and dry and trimming the corners of the leading edge of the film have a much larger effects.

 

[schyter]

... my system is to push!! non-rotating spiral ...
Insert the tail of the film and with the same canister of the roller (135), push the film.
Do not touch in any way the film. I think the beads are only a complication IMHO

 

[mjork]

I have seen various warnings about getting Photo-Flo on the reels. But so far it's not really clear to me what negative effects it would cause. What would the symptoms be?

I'm not taking any sides on this issue. I have very little experience developing film myself (just started this year). So I'm just trying to understand the concern.

I'm using Ilfotol, is that any different from Photo-Flo in this regard?

 

[MattKing]

I have seen various warnings about getting Photo-Flo on the reels. But so far it's not really clear to me what negative effects it would cause. What would the symptoms be?

I'm not taking any sides on this issue. I have very little experience developing film myself (just started this year). So I'm just trying to understand the concern.

I'm using Ilfotol, is that any different from Photo-Flo in this regard?

Photo-Flo - or anything else - that might tend to leave a residue on the reels is a problem, because film can stick to the reels.

Photo-Flo is a bit more likely to leave residue, because it is a bit harder to wash off completely. It is quite similar to soap.

 

[ColColt]

With a 24 exposure roll or 120 film I've not had any problems with those reels. The only time they occasionally gave me a fit going on the reels were with 36 exposures. that last foot of film just didn't want to go.

 

[BradS]

With a 24 exposure roll or 120 film I've not had any problems with those reels. The only time they occasionally gave me a fit going on the reels were with 36 exposures. that last foot of film just didn't want to go.

This is also my experience. 127 film is a real bitch too.

 

[fotch]

I have seen various warnings about getting Photo-Flo on the reels. But so far it's not really clear to me what negative effects it would cause. What would the symptoms be?

I'm not taking any sides on this issue. I have very little experience developing film myself (just started this year). So I'm just trying to understand the concern.

I'm using Ilfotol, is that any different from Photo-Flo in this regard?

Although not the same, think of it as a glue of sorts. The last chemical to come in contact with the reel should be Fix, then water, nothing else. I remove the film at this point and seesaw the film in a bowl of photoflo or whatever. Never have a problem.

 

[RobC]

so what does photo-flo have in it. If it leaves a residue on film reels then it must leave a residue on film too. Yes,No? Why doesn't film stick to see through sleeves. Ah, it does sometimes.

 

[sagai]

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?

Patterson works for me really nicely, I have grown up on russian-eastern eu kind of made reels that helped me to appreciate Patterson tanks

 

[schyter]

pinion notched cameras, it tends to deform the sprocket film imperceptibly. With 36 shots, of course, the film is longer. Film longest is equal to more sprocket deformed. More sprocket deformed is equal to more friction. The deformation of the slot fits into the small steel ball.(imho)

Question: is it a coincidence that the Jobo spirals have no spheres??? :confused:

 

[kautsu]

I used to have this film getting stuck half way with paterson reels too.

I use all-in-one dishwasher tablets dissolved in to the water to clean reel after few uses. The ones without dishwasher salt and rinse aid wont do much, i've tried. I'm not really sure why it works, maybe dishwasher solution makes reels more slippery and they slide better?

Solution can be re-used too, just bottle it after using. Works like a charm!

 

[gzhuang]

Kodak and Ilford films should fit while you can cold store the other brands for an hour in the fridge before loading them onto the reels. Works for me.

 

[RobC]

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/824/ap-developing-tank-reel

I did some checking and the above reel will fit paterson tanks but not jobo 1500 tanks.