Stainless steel reel identification

Denis OLIVIER · Oct 23, 2023

Hello,

I get a bunch of stainless steel reels, seems to be 135 and 120 formats.
Some fit in Nikor SS tanks, but some not?
For the ones that doesn't fit, where did they come from, is there some specific sizes between different manufacturers?
The difference is small, but blocks to enter the tank.
See attached photos, the #1 is the unfitting one.

Thank you very much.

MattKing · Oct 23, 2023

Is #1 distorted/bent?

Dustin McAmera · Oct 23, 2023

I think #1 is sitting on top of a second reel, so looks a little peculiar.

mshchem · Oct 23, 2023

Is there a Soviet Union standard? I've never come across any SS reels that didn't fit standard tanks, Nikor, Kindermann etc.

guangong · Oct 23, 2023

mshchem said:
Is there a Soviet Union standard? I've never come across any SS reels that didn't fit standard tanks, Nikor, Kindermann etc.

Ditto. Never had or have this experience.

Denis OLIVIER · Oct 24, 2023

Thank you for all your answers.
But they seems not bent, I have 3 of them like this, see figure 1.
Figure 2 : they have "outer" spiral starts, just like some 135 ones where you insert film perforations.
Figure 3 : 2 have the ends (B and C) not aligned with the axis just like A.

George Collier · Oct 24, 2023

In the 1960's and later, there were many manufacturers of this type of stainless steel reel and tank, leaders being Nikkor and Kindeman. The Nikkor tanks in many cases fit the lid and the small pouring lid that they were made for and not others, in some cases.
I always preferred the Nikkor reels for simplicity and the Kinderman tanks, with the vinyl tops, and never used the secondary brands. I've never seen a reel that didn't fit a tank.
Nice work, Denis, by the way.

reddesert · Oct 24, 2023

I have piles and piles of stainless reels, including generic brands, and have never encountered one that didn't fit in the usual tanks, but of course it is possible.

Another remark, in post #1, the second picture reel-2.jpg that is labeled "135" is also unusual. A 35mm reel will usually have thinner wire and many more turns. Typically a 120 reel has about 5 usable full turns and a 35mm-36 exp reel has about 9. The reel-2.jpg reel has about 6 full turns, meaning that either it's only for 20-24 exposure rolls, or the height is different and is actually for 127 film. I have not seen a 127 steel reel, but supposedly they exist.

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 24, 2023

I have a Hewes 127 reel. It fits into my Omega 15oz tank (would fit into my Kestrel 8oz too, if that were taller). I'll photograph the reel tomorrow, if that's of any interest.

Denis OLIVIER · Oct 25, 2023

reddesert said:
Another remark, in post #1, the second picture reel-2.jpg that is labeled "135" is also unusual. A 35mm reel will usually have thinner wire and many more turns. Typically a 120 reel has about 5 usable full turns and a 35mm-36 exp reel has about 9. The reel-2.jpg reel has about 6 full turns, meaning that either it's only for 20-24 exposure rolls, or the height is different and is actually for 127 film. I have not seen a 127 steel reel, but supposedly they exist.

Yes you are right, well seen.
They have the same height, so I don't think it's 127 which is much larger.
But I have both thinner (more turns) and larger (less turns) wire types of "135"

Philippe-Georges · Oct 26, 2023

I recognise #3 and that one will fit in the Kindermann SS tank (and others having the same diameter), but this is not a Kinderdmann reel.
The #3 (of which I have 4) has the same size as a LPL 120 reel (of which I have 4 too).

Stainless steel reel identification

Denis OLIVIER

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Stainless steel reel identification

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