Questions about Nikor stainless tanks and reels

Horatio · Sep 16, 2021

First, do they leak when inverted for agitation? I have an “economy” tank with rubber lid, but it has cracked and leaks. Hourglass agitation works ok but the other issue is the reels. No matter how careful I am at loading the film it always seems to touch in places or buckle. I’m thinking better quality reels would help. Is this true?

Auer · Sep 16, 2021

Reason to go stainless?

Some very good and durable plastic tanks out there too.

madNbad · Sep 16, 2021

Spend the money on Hewes reels. The initial cost will fade away when you find how easy they are to load. Bent reels are a problem with Nikors and other used stainless tanks. Once they have been dropped or mishandled they will never load right. Get a Kinderman style tank with the plastic lid. You can order replacement lids too. Buy new and save yourself some headaches.

Horatio · Sep 16, 2021

I have a Patterson clone tank and reels, but the ratcheting reels have been less than satisfactory.

MartinCrabtree · Sep 16, 2021

I have a couple Nikor tanks. No leakage so far.

Nicholas Lindan · Sep 16, 2021

Another vote for Hewes stainless reels, nothing else like them. Generic SS reels are not a good idea and Nikor reels aren't much better. Stainless tanks are less critical. Used Nikor tanks are good but so are the various Japanese generic stainless tanks; I still use a tank I bought 55 years ago.

narsuitus · Sep 16, 2021

When I worked for a newspaper, I discovered that some of the newspaper's stainless steel reels were impossible to load. To avoid loading problems, I used my own tanks and reels. After that, I stopped having problems with buckling film and leaking tanks.

35mm and 120 Developing by Narsuitus, on Flickr

mshchem · Sep 16, 2021

Even the best tanks aren't leak proof. Nikor tanks leak more than a Kindermann tank with a good plastic lid. They aren't available new any longer. I use a Jobo processor these days. The other day I processed a single roll of black and white, used a Jobo tank using inversion, I was impressed, it didn't leak more than a couple drops, and it's not new. AP tanks are nice too.

Stainless reels are important. Hewes are great, but old Nikor, or Kindermann reels are easy to load too. The flood of cheap imports starting in the 1970's gave ss a bad reputation.

BAC1967 · Sep 16, 2021

I use stainless tanks with stainless lids. I seal them shut with electrical tape, prevents leas and accidental opening.

Jim Jones · Sep 16, 2021

If stainless steel tanks and caps leak, slide a wide rubber band over the junction of tank and cap.

bdial · Sep 16, 2021

IME, slight leaks are normal. Way back when, the popular folklore was that the lids were matched to the tank during manufacture, but once they get into user's hands they get swapped around, and gain some propensity to leak. If you're working with a water bath or in a sink, it isn't much consequence.
As for reels, they can be a bit fragile, a few drops onto a concrete floor will turn an easy-loading reel into a nightmare. As mentioned, Hewes reels are worth whatever it costs you to get one. They use a thicker wire gauge than the common SS reels, and so are easier to load and less fragile. Some tanks won't hold a pair of Hewes reels well however, due to that extra thickness, so you may need to experiment some in sourcing tanks that will work with them.

reddesert · Sep 17, 2021

Reels are a matter of personal preference. IME: stainless steel lids leak slightly, but not enough that it's a problem. You can get replacement plastic lids that fit any of the steel tanks for about $5-6 at major photo retailers (eg Freestyle, B&H, Adorama). These will leak less, but in 10 years (or more) they may break and you'll have to get another.

Steel reels that are notably bent should be discarded. I have been using some of the same generic steel reels for many years, but taking care of them. When I first started using them I occasionally overlapped a wrap, but with practice that rarely happens. Buckling often has to do with getting the film crooked when starting it in the center (IME).

gordrob · Sep 17, 2021

I moved away from the plastic tanks and reels years ago to SS tanks and reels. I found that marking the cap, lid and tank them with a permanent marker to identify then as a set worked so that everything stayed together and stopped a lot of problems. There is nothing worse than grabbing a lid in the dark that doesn't fit tight and having chemicals running down your arm. I have a couple of Nikor tanks for 4 x35mm reels that I picked up in the 70s that still work well for me. I acquired Hewes reels whenever I could because of the ease in loading especially 35mm film. I also use some Kindermann and LPL reels for 120 because I like the clip that holds the film in the center of the reel. I chuck any reels that have been dropped or abused.

Nicholas Lindan · Sep 17, 2021

An advantage to the 35mm Hewes reels is the clip used to fasten the film to the inside of the reel uses a pair of prongs to grab the sprocket holes, as a result there is no problem with getting the film to start straight on the reel.

Andrew Kleinfeld · Sep 17, 2021

I'm still using the Nikor tanks and reels I bought in around 1957. They still work great. But the reels are 120. For 35, the Hewes reels work, but the AP plastic reels are easier to load.

Craig75 · Sep 17, 2021

New reels is the way forward. Had too many hand me down Patterson and steel reels over the years which came with loading problems.

A lot of photography and darkroom things you can use second hand but reels is one thing I always buy new.

Auer · Sep 17, 2021

FWIW, My Jobo 1520 has been problem free and is very easy to use.
It feels like quality and the reels load so easy with either 135 or 120.
I've done B&W, C-41 and ECN-2 in it.

Also no worries about dropping anything.

mrosenlof · Sep 17, 2021

I find most of my SS lids leak when inverted. I'm sure to keep a finger on the filler cap when inverting also. It's on the order of a few drops. I still like the SS lids better than the plastic lids made for SS tanks. But I'll readily admit the plastic lids leak less, until they crack and become useless.

The reels of course don't have an effect on leaks, but do matter on how easy/difficult to load reels.

mgb74 · Sep 17, 2021

I have Nikor reels that load fine. I have Kindermann reels that load fine. But if you want to be sure, get the Hewes reels as others have said.

I have never found a new or almost new Nikor tank that leaked. But as bdial said, tanks, lids, and caps get mixed up and/or mishandled over time. I like the plastic lids but don't expect them to last forever.

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Sep 17, 2021

Horatio said:
First, do they leak when inverted for agitation? I have an “economy” tank with rubber lid, but it has cracked and leaks. Hourglass agitation works ok but the other issue is the reels. No matter how careful I am at loading the film it always seems to touch in places or buckle. I’m thinking better quality reels would help. Is this true?

They're not supposed to leak. I suppose that back in the day, when they were new, the fit was excellent between lid and tank, but half a century later, most Nikor tanks you find have been banged up and have leaks that only a machinist could fix. I have a Brooks tank that's flawless, but that's because it's been taken care of over the decades.

I personally like stainless for 120 only. I always have failures with 35mm (some don't), but in 120 I like the quick setup, and the smaller size, thus less juice needed.

So I invested in some new Kalt lids (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/71032-REG/Kalt_NP11117_Lid_with_Cap_for.html) for my 2-reel and 4-reel tanks, and I'm super happy. No leaks (ok, a drop, but hey!), and same filling/emptying speed. Get yourself some if you're in the stainless steel team.

Horatio · Sep 17, 2021

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I’ll get some better gear soon.

Paul Howell · Sep 17, 2021

I guess I'm just feeling grumpy, but what has this do with 35mm Cameras? There are lots of threads concerning SS developing tanks on the darkroom equipment forum.

MattKing · Sep 17, 2021

Paul Howell said:
I guess I'm just feeling grumpy, but what has this do with 35mm Cameras? There are lots of threads concerning SS developing tanks on the darkroom equipment forum.

You do grumpy really well!
I'll move the thread.

Horatio · Sep 18, 2021

Paul Howell said:
I guess I'm just feeling grumpy, but what has this do with 35mm Cameras? There are lots of threads concerning SS developing tanks on the darkroom equipment forum.

Apologies to all. Thanks for moving the thread, Matt.

Mal Paso · Sep 19, 2021

Nikor was the best back in the day, heavier steel and perfect alignment. I couldn't just toss it after the fire so it's mounted on cortin steel on the wall of the new darkroom.

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