Re-using (plastic) Minox cassettes after processing in the Minox Tank

[ChrisGalway]

It seems that if you use the Minox tank to process films, the cassette gets wet. Does anyone have experience of re-using the cassette after this? I know one can use other special reels in conventional tanks, but the Minox system seems the best to me ... apart from this quirk of wet cassettes!

Or can I load the Minox tank in the light as normal, and then tape (or otherwise secure) the end of the film so that it remains firmly wound on the spiral?

Come to that, is anyone making "new" Minox cassettes? Blue Moon claim to use new cassettes, so someone is making them ...

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

I developed hundreds of rolls of Minox film using the Minox Tank in 1967-1969 (all factory loads) and 1995-2018 (mostly my own reloads). I never had any problem with the chemistry disturbing the plastic cassettes. Just wash all the cassette's parts in plain water and let them dry before reassemling.

I found that with care I could reuse the cassettes several times before (typically) the bridge between the chambers would break. The Achilles Heel of the Minox cassette!

And with my own loads, I just used a little piece of maskng tape (folded over the spiral bottom) to attach the end of the film the the spiral. I never bothered making precise keyhole cuts to go on the little stud, the tape worked just fine.

 

[guangong]

On the eve of Minox discontinuing film sales new empty cassettes were offered for sale, so I bought a bunch. On the other hand I have reused cassettes with no problems. Yes, the bridge is a weak point. I haven’t tried using cassettes without bridge, but it seems to me there should be no problem. Has anyone used cassettes without bridge, and how success was result?

 

[xkaes]

The bridge is a convenience -- especially when getting the cassette OUT of the camera -- but it is not a necessity. Lots of submini cameras used PAIRS of cassettes instead of a cassette with a bridge -- Steky, Mamiya, etc.

As to the Minox developing tank. I don't use them, but I believe that there were different versions of the tank. That might make a difference.

 

[guangong]

I have quite a few Minox tanks. The overall designs are identical, but there are variations according to those made for 50 exposures, 36 exposures, and some have an insert for 15 exposures. I now prefer stainless steel reels for ease in handling.

 

[xkaes]

Yeah. Since you're going to be reloading them with film anyway, why not take them apart for processing -- in whatever. And my understanding is that the Minox tanks are not inexpensive. Here are some alternatives -- for those interested:

http://www.subclub.org/creative/reel.htm

 

[ChrisGalway]

Yeah. Since you're going to be reloading them with film anyway, why not take them apart for processing -- in whatever. And my understanding is that the Minox tanks are not inexpensive. Here are some alternatives -- for those interested:

http://www.subclub.org/creative/reel.htm

There has been a lot of discussion elsewhere on Photrio about non-uniform processing when using spirals of various designs. I'm sure it's possible to avoid this with spirals using the right technique, but the Minox tanks minimise non-uniformity by the design. Walter Zapp was very clever!