tanks for 135 and 120

[arcimboldo]

hi,
sice i am very dissapointed with my jobo tanks i wanted to ask you which tanks are really good and worth buying. the jobos are cheaply made and drop a lot.
can you recomend nikor or kinderman tanks?
kind regards, ingo

 

[miha]

I have been using Kindermann tanks with great satisfaction for several years now..

 

[BradS]

I've been using Patterson Super System 4 tanks and reels for roll film for years...and really like 'em.

 

[Alan9940]

I've been using the Kindermann stainless tanks and Hewes stainless reels for 40 years. Only time I've ever bought anything new in regard hand-processing is when Hewes came out with their latest 35mm stainless reel; much easier to load than the older ones IMO. I have a Patterson Super System 4 tanks for 35mm only, but unlike BradS I just never took to this tank & reel.

Best regards,
AlanH

 

[bdial]

I use Nikor tanks, for 35 I use a Hewes reel, for 120, Nikor

With Nikor tanks it's important that the lids and the tanks are well matched, otherwise you can get a lot of leakage. Kindermann avoids that problem with plastic lids.

 

[gone]

Another happy Patterson Super System 4 user here. They do leak a little when you invert them, but that just seems to be the deal w/ tanks. Once I figured out how to load the reels and keep the photo-flo off them I've never had a minute's worth of trouble.

 

[Paul Howell]

I use Patterson most of the time, up to 2 rolls of 35mm or 1 roll 120. If I need to process more than 2 rolls of 35 or 1 120 I use tanks I made from PCP pipes, tall enough for 8 rolls of 35 or 4 120 at time, although the diameter of the tanks is large enough for Patterson reels, I often will use SS reels as well. This is a not a light tight system so I need process until 1/2 though the fix is done in the dark. I use SS steel t rods I had made to lift for agitation, I put a SS reel on top of the stack to help hold down the plastic reels. I chose a max of 8 35mm as I can fit that number in my film washer.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I would recommend SS tanks and reels. The particular brand is not important if they are well made. Avoid very cheap reels as they are not worth the cost. Be careful not to drop any of the reels since if they become deformed it becomes impossible to load them.

For Nikor tanks the lids are matched to a specific tank. Swapping lids will result in leaks. I suggest scratching a letter on each set of cap, lid and tank to insure that they remain matched. Do this when you buy them.

 

[danfogel]

+1 for Hewes reels. Those are pretty amazing. I have a Kindermann lid. Also very nice.

 

[Sirius Glass]

hi,
sice i am very dissapointed with my jobo tanks i wanted to ask you which tanks are really good and worth buying. the jobos are cheaply made and drop a lot.
can you recomend nikor or kinderman tanks?
kind regards, ingo

Welcome to APUG

I use the 1500 series Jobo tanks for 120 and 135 without problems.

I have Nikor and FreeStyles brand steel tanks with Hewes steel reels. The Hewes reels are superior to all other plastic or steel reels except for the Jobo plastic reels in my not so humble option [IMNSHO].

 

[klownshed]

I have a couple of Jobo tanks (Needed for a CPE2 processor) and some Paterson system 4 tanks. I use them with 35mm and 120 film.

The Paterson ones are fine. You just need to make sure the reels are completely clean and dry before using them. A hairdryer works well for warming them up just a tad before use and making sure they're bone dry.

I've not had any leaks either.

To be honest, the Jobo ones are OK too, but not as sturdy as the Paterson tanks and the Paterson reels are easier to load with the ball bearing so you don't need to touch the film to thread it through. I only ever use the Jobos when I'm using the CPE2 for C41. Given the choice, the Paterson tanks are nicer to use. The Jobo reels feel very flimsy in comparison to the Patersons.

I've not used SS tanks or reels, I'm sure they are great, but the Paterson ones are good enough that I don't feel the need to 'upgrade'.

 

[fotch]

hi,
sice.......... the jobos are cheaply made and drop a lot.
..............
kind regards, ingo

Drop a lot? Do you mean you drop them a lot? Or, they leak? There is nothing wrong with Jobo tanks unless someone has damaged them. SS tanks and reels, while very sturdy, will suffer if dropped also. They can also leak. I don't question you are having problem, just not sure what it is. Good luck.

 

[BradS]

Drop a lot? Do you mean you drop them a lot? Or, they leak? There is nothing wrong with Jobo tanks unless someone has damaged them. SS tanks and reels, while very sturdy, will suffer if dropped also. They can also leak. I don't question you are having problem, just not sure what it is. Good luck.

I assumed that the OP meant that the drip alot... but, I dunno either.

 

[john_s]

I use only Jobo tanks these days. The only criticism that I could level at them is that the small opening makes filling and emptying slower than some others. It's not a problem for me but could be for critical timing in the larger setups for 5 or more film reels.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use only Jobo tanks these days. The only criticism that I could level at them is that the small opening makes filling and emptying slower than some others. It's not a problem for me but could be for critical timing in the larger setups for 5 or more film reels.

The effect of critical timing during filling can be reduced by maintaining a temperature so that the development is at least five minutes.