Want to Buy WTB: QUALITY 220 SS reels(Hewes, Nikor, Omega), also 116

[Ben Hutcherson]

As per the title, I'm looking for at least one, preferably a few QUALITY 220 format reels.

I have a few that basically look like overgrown versions of the cheap/no name 35mm reels that quit loading properly if you look at them crosseyed(and almost none of my 220 reels load well). I'm looking for some good quality reels from one of the big name makers. I have a really strong preference for Hewes(that's all I use in 35mm) but really Nikor, Omega, or some other quality brand I may not have heard of is fine.

I'd also be interested in 120 reels from any of these brands, but am less picky about those as I've found almost all 120 reels load well...still thought I like quality darkroom stuff.

Last thing-I'd love to get one or two 116(70mm) reels. I've recently gotten into shooting 70mm. I have the big Mercury works modified Patterson tank with a 70mm X-ray reel, but sometimes I want to develop short lengths and not use all the chemistry the big tank takes. A 116 reel would be perfect for that, but i don't have one...

 

[MattKing]

For 116/616 settings on reels, look for old plastic "beginners" tanks with branding like "Yankee".
If you should come across 116/616 film development aprons for the old Kodak apron tanks, I'd love to hear about them. They are the easiest to use if one is attempting to load 40+ year old rolls of 616 Verichrome Pan! - but they may also serve your short 70mm needs.

 

[Ben Hutcherson]

For 116/616 settings on reels, look for old plastic "beginners" tanks with branding like "Yankee".
If you should come across 116/616 film development aprons for the old Kodak apron tanks, I'd love to hear about them. They are the easiest to use if one is attempting to load 40+ year old rolls of 616 Verichrome Pan! - but they may also serve your short 70mm needs.

You've reminded me...

My first tank-bought way back in 2007-was a Yankee Clipper II, and bought mostly because I was a poor college student and it was the cheapest tank B&H had. I've kept it around and even ended up with a few additional ones over the years as part of odd lots of darkroom stuff because it's actually a super versatile tank. It's come out before when I went through a stint of shooting 110 in my Pentax Auto 110 since it has a 16mm setting. The width adjustment is by a spring clip around the center and I have one reel I've filed a notch in so that I can put 2x3 sheet film in it.

I hadn't even thought of it having a 116 setting, but I'm pretty sure now that you mention it that it does...

It works in a pinch, but with that said I'd still like a proper reel. The Yankee works, but it also does not allow inversion agitation and I've had issues with film walking out during agitation. It usually won't happen if I'm careful to twist such that film would tend to be forced into the reel and not go back and forth, but it's a lot to remember. Also, I seen to have issues with pouring chemicals out of it and back into a bottle...

 

[loccdor]

Hope you find something suitable, I will just say that plastic Paterson reels have been no problem to load 220 for me on, as long as I ensure that nothing (hands, reels, changing bag) are even a little bit moist.

What also helps me a ton is to make a scissor cut where the tape is, completely removing the taped area, rather than trying to peel the tape off, which leaves adhesive residue that jams reels.

 

[chuckroast]

see:

HONEYWELL NIKOR #3081 16mm Film Stainless Steel Developing 220 Reel Stainless | eBay

HONEYWELL NIKOR #3081 16mm Film Stainless Steel Developing 220 Reel Stainless steal

www.ebay.com

These are the ones I use and they are just fine.

 

[dpurdy]

I have a bunch of the larger size. They are 4 inches in diameter. They are the same spacing as a 120 reel only they keep going till they are 4 inches. There were stainless steel tanks made for them, I have one that I am not selling. I processed a lot of 220 film commercially and made processing tanks (Tube shapes) from acrylic that I bought. from TAP plastics and processed in the dark.

 

[blee1996]

@Ben Hutcherson : For 616/116 (70mm) development, I have been using this guy's method by combining two plastic Paterson reels. It is non-destructive and quite easy to do. In a Paterson Super System 4 1L tank, I need about 650mm chemical for one 116/70mm reel. I can also develop one 616/116 film plus one 135 film in the 1L tank. The only additional trick by myself is that I added two small rubber band, in order to make sure the reels stay where they are even in violent inversion (e.g. ECN-2 remjet removal).



I used to use the older tanks (GAF, Yankee) for 116/70mm processing, as suggested by other members above. They work fine for B&W, with its spindle agitation. But now I standardize on Paterson Super System 4, so I can develop color film as well that needs sealed tank and inversions.

 

[BAC1967]

There are 116/616 (70mm) stainless steel reels out there, I have one, no way I'm giving it up. Some people may have them and not know it, they look just like a 120 reel but slightly taller.

 

[Ben Hutcherson]

Thanks everyone!

I bought the linked above 220 Nikkor reel, and I'll keep my eyes open for other.

I think for now, I'll probably stick with the Yankee Clipper(maybe hop on Ebay and find another) for 70mm short lengths, and keep my eyes open for a chance at a 116/616 stainless reel.

I've gone a bit nutty and have been shooting 65mm also, and do have the Mercury long roll tank/reel for it. Since it is the same tank as is used for the 70mm reel they sell(described as a commercial X-ray film reel for what it's worth-plastic, but loads from the inside out like stainless and only holds 13ft) it still has the same downfall of needing 1.75L of chemistry.

I'm thinking the Yankee Clipper can probably be adapted to handle 65mm also, though, so there's my solution for that.

 

[Alex Varas]

Hi Ben,

I have one Yankee Clipper and I have used it with 70mm film but I ended up with the Paterson reels solution because filling was faster.
if you want you can have the Yankee Clipper, just pay the post.

 

[MCB18]

As a note, the Nikkor reels will not fit in a standard size steel tank. The might fit in the Mercury Works tank but they will definitely rattle around a bit. I don’t know if that was pointed out or not.

I do have 1 or 2 220 Hewes reels I might be willing to part with, I have 4 and I want to keep at least 2. They fit in the standard size 16 oz tank. I hate loading 220 on Patterson reels, film always stops advancing easily after a bit and forcing it makes it go crunch! The steel reels load like butter, wonderful pieces of kit. Let me know if you’re interested in them!