Tank and Reel

[Jeff Kubach]

I have used both, SS is easier to clean up, but I found that the plastic is easlier to load film on.

Jeff

 

[fschifano]

Maybe I'm missing something here. Why are the stainless steel tanks easier to clean than the plastic ones? Once you're done processing, rinse either off with warm water and you're done. What's the big deal?

 

[Konical]

Good Morning, Frank,

Plastic reels, by nature of their construction, have more crevices which can contain chemical residue. SS reels do not have that problem. If you drop your processed film into a film washer, the reels get washed at the same time as the film. If you use Photo-flo after washing, putting the empty reels back into the film washer for a minute or so takes care of cleaning them. Just to be sure, I'll usually finish by spraying some hot water on the empty reels before putting them aside to dry. The same general approach can be used with plastic reels, but a bit more time and care is needed to be sure no trace of Photo-flo remains.

Konical

 

[TareqPhoto]

OK thanks all!
I just ordered 2 plastic tanks [and i think they both included the reel] and 1 StainlessSteel Tank and reel

 

[Rick A]

Maybe I'm missing something here. Why are the stainless steel tanks easier to clean than the plastic ones? Once you're done processing, rinse either off with warm water and you're done. What's the big deal?

I'm with you on that Frank. I have 25 year old tanks that look just like my new ones, and all I've ever done is rinse them with hot water when I'm finished. My plastic reels, only look old, but they were old when I got them(1960's Yankee Clipper) Maybe its just the new stuff thats fussy. I have some new plastics, but have yet to use them.

Rick

 

[fschifano]

I'll tell you, Rick. I have at least 2 dozen plastic reels and about 7 plastic tanks. All but a few were picked up used, most were rescued from the trash. Some look old, and are. A few I bought new. They're all the same. Rinse 'em off when you're done and they're good to go. Use a hair dryer on the reels if you need to put them back into service quickly. Yes, if you let the chemistry dry on them they can be a bitch to clean. The same can be said for the stainless steel reels. Being lazy about cleanliness is not consistent with good darkroom practice though, is it?

 

[TareqPhoto]

Finally i bought Steel Tank and Reel, and also 2 plastic tanks and reels, but i don't know how to change that plastic reel from 35mm format to 120 format, i don't want to break it, any help please?

 

[Anon Ymous]

You need to twist the reel to "unlock" it. Depending on the reel, it could be clockwise, or counter clockwise. Once you unlock it, you can adjust width and it will have a guide for 120. Some reels also support 127, so take care to select the correct setting. Twist the reel again to lock it to the new width and that's all.

 

[TareqPhoto]

You need to twist the reel to "unlock" it. Depending on the reel, it could be clockwise, or counter clockwise. Once you unlock it, you can adjust width and it will have a guide for 120. Some reels also support 127, so take care to select the correct setting. Twist the reel again to lock it to the new width and that's all.

Now the problem is i don't know which direction to twist it, i am worry to break i twisted it wrong way.
I will check again and see.

 

[Rick A]

I'll tell you, Rick. I have at least 2 dozen plastic reels and about 7 plastic tanks. All but a few were picked up used, most were rescued from the trash. Some look old, and are. A few I bought new. They're all the same. Rinse 'em off when you're done and they're good to go. Use a hair dryer on the reels if you need to put them back into service quickly. Yes, if you let the chemistry dry on them they can be a bitch to clean. The same can be said for the stainless steel reels. Being lazy about cleanliness is not consistent with good darkroom practice though, is it?

Thats the one place where I am the most diligent about cleanliness. I run my darkroom as though it were a cleanroom in a semiconductor facility.

Rick

 

[Rick A]

Finally i bought Steel Tank and Reel, and also 2 plastic tanks and reels, but i don't know how to change that plastic reel from 35mm format to 120 format, i don't want to break it, any help please?

Hold the plastic reel in your left hand with it facing you. Place your right hand on the reel facing you, and twist your right hand clockwise while twisting left hand anti-clockwise. Both the Patterson and the Arista(generic) work the same. It may help if you try to push your hands together while twisting.

Rick

 

[Wade D]

The reel will "click" when it unlocks. Gentle pressure in either direction will accomplish this. Then adjust to the film size being used and "click" it back the other way for use. The plastic used will stand quite a bit of force but shouldn't be necessary.

 

[TareqPhoto]

Another question, how to load film on stainless steel reel? I tried that but it seems like impossible, plastic reel was much much easier to load film.

 

[Rick A]

Another question, how to load film on stainless steel reel? I tried that but it seems like impossible, plastic reel was much much easier to load film.

You must put a gentle arch in the film so it slides inside past the spirals to engage the holding clip. Then as you turn the reel, you allow the film to relax from the arch ( so it flattens) into the space in the spiral, and follows the spiral from inside to out. This is much harder to explain than to do. Use a roll of spent or otherwise used roll of film to practice with. Years age, some companies made a film loader for SS reels, a short prearched metal piece that you pushed film through into the reel. I have an old Durst reel loader that has that feature plus a crank handle for the reel that self loads film, its a simple contraption, works though.

Rick

 

[TareqPhoto]

You must put a gentle arch in the film so it slides inside past the spirals to engage the holding clip. Then as you turn the reel, you allow the film to relax from the arch ( so it flattens) into the space in the spiral, and follows the spiral from inside to out. This is much harder to explain than to do. Use a roll of spent or otherwise used roll of film to practice with. Years age, some companies made a film loader for SS reels, a short prearched metal piece that you pushed film through into the reel. I have an old Durst reel loader that has that feature plus a crank handle for the reel that self loads film, its a simple contraption, works though.

Rick

Thank you Rick!

For sure i practice on used or test roll, i did with that steel reel and i failed to do it properly, i know i did or it can be done but so hard, and that in day light i can see, i can't be sure i will do it in changing dark bag forever, plastic reel way easier even it need little practice as well.

I have another question: so if that steel reel for me is a bit difficult to use, can i use plastic reel in steel tank? or must steel go with steel and plastic go with plastic?

 

[Rick A]

You can put a plastic reel in a SS tank if it fits, but why? Once a plastic is brought to temp. it tends to stay there better than a metal tank. I place my steel tanks in warming bath through entire process, dont need to with plastic.

Rick

 

[TareqPhoto]

You can put a plastic reel in a SS tank if it fits, but why? Once a plastic is brought to temp. it tends to stay there better than a metal tank. I place my steel tanks in warming bath through entire process, dont need to with plastic.

Rick

I don't understand what you mean, but i was thinking that if i like a steel tank and a plastic reel then can't i use both together?
But good i have a plastic tank that is very nice, so it will be the most used one i am sure, just i was hoping that i can use that steel tank as well, otherwise if i don't like the steel reel then what i can do with the steel tank?!!!

 

[Rick A]

Just keep playing(practicing)with the steel reels, soon enough you'll be loading them with your eyes closed.
You can use the plastic reel in the steel tank --if it fits in the tank.

Rick

 

[fschifano]

Plastic reels are too big to fit into a typical stainless steel tank. Try it, you'll see. I won't fit.

 

[TareqPhoto]

OK, yes, it won't fit.
I think i will use the plastic reel for a while until i can get used to the SS reel.
I think i will have hard time to do developing myself within the proper temp and recommended time if our temp here is changeable all the time.