plastic or steel 35mm reels? tank?

Anon Ymous · Jul 16, 2009

Mauro, I've used Patterson and Jobo tanks and reels. Both of them are fine, with the Jobo reels being just slightly more difficult to load. I'd say buy whatever plastic stuff you find, with the possible exception of AP. I've used them too and I find their tanks worse than the other two. When I had to make my choice, I picked Jobo. The difference is that you can get the 1520 tank (and 2 reels) and later buy an extension module (1530) to enable you to process up to 5 135 films. Patterson doesn't offer something like that; you'll need to buy another tank. As it has already been mentioned, the only bad thing about plastic reels is that they need to be bone dry when loading. Otherwise, jams may (or should I say will?) occur. Just make sure they're dry and you'll have no hassles.

EDIT: Plastic tanks/reels are much cheaper too...

Wade D · Jul 16, 2009

Yes, the plastic reels MUST be dry before attempting to load film. The SS reels take some getting used to but are not hard to load. I have both types and use the plastic reels for 35mm and the SS reels for 120 film. I've never had any problems with either of them.

mts · Jul 16, 2009

The SS reels have the advantage of working better for re-exposing E-6. Light can get into the reel from both sides. Many of the plastic reels cover the spaces between the film and it is necessary to remove the wet film from the reel for re-exposing. I use SS reels almost entirely for that reason, although they are more difficult to load, especially so for film that is manufactured on a thin base. Some of the SS reels are designed for 24 exposures while others have finer pitch and accomodate 36 frames. These fine pitch reels are more difficult to load so I use the 24 exposure reels most of the time.

Karencs · Jul 16, 2009

OK, thx. One more question--if there's nothing to hold the reels together (as in my plastic tank), do i just gently 'drop' each one in and when done invert the tank to get them out? I'm planning to buy a 4-roll tank.

K.

Anon Ymous · Jul 16, 2009

Karencs said:
OK, thx. One more question--if there's nothing to hold the reels together (as in my plastic tank), do i just gently 'drop' each one in and when done invert the tank to get them out? I'm planning to buy a 4-roll tank.

K.

If there's nothing there to hold the reels, then put as many reels as the tank can hold. Putting so many could be an overkill, but better safe than sorry.

psvensson · Jul 16, 2009

Run-of-the-mill stainless steel reels aren't necessarily better than plastic, but Hewes steel reels (marketed in the U.S. as King Concept) are vastly better. I used plastic for years until I tried these, and there is no going back. Loading them is foolproof, and they're easy to spool and unspool for a quick look before the wash. You can reuse them faster, because they don't need to be bone dry before you load the next film.

I also appreciate that steel tanks use less chemistry.

fotch · Jul 16, 2009

Karencs said:
OK, thx. One more question--if there's nothing to hold the reels together (as in my plastic tank), do i just gently 'drop' each one in and when done invert the tank to get them out? I'm planning to buy a 4-roll tank.

K.

The 4 roll tank should have a lifting rod included. The small tanks drop or invert, as you stated.

mgb74 · Jul 16, 2009

Wade D said:
Yes, the plastic reels MUST be dry before attempting to load film.

Yes. Which is why, I'm sure, the handheld hair dryer was invented.

Karencs · Jul 17, 2009

Great, thx everyone.

zesbaugh · Jul 17, 2009

One extra bonus of plastic reels (at least Paterson type) - they are adjustable for 135, 127, and 120 film. So 1 reel can take the place of 3 steels (and good luck finding any 127 steel reals these days). Never thought I would need the option, but low and behold along came a Yashica 44LM. You may think you'll never change formats now, but don't bet your equipment on it!

plastic or steel 35mm reels? tank?

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