Your favorite tank & reel

one thing that I failed to mention wrt steel reels is that they can easily be loaded wet. Last I heard and it has been a while was that plastic cannot be loaded without drying them. If you have a lot of film to be developed you don't have to wait for the plastic to dry.

lee\c

thedarkroomstudios said:

Tilt tank to a 45 degree angle, helps a lot. Search for previous thread (about 2 weeks ago) with quite a lot of other ideas and tank/lid preferences for pouring speed.

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To make development time less critical, increase the development time by increasing the dilution so that complete development is in the 10 to 12-minute range. After 12-minutes, the fill and pour times relative to the total development time are low enough, one need not be concerned.

I have a Paterson tank for "small" films, and a Jobo for 9x12cm / 4x5". They both drain in seconds, and I like them both. Among my other "old odds and ends" are a few Johnson tanks, one for reels and one for cut plates. I have used them both for stand development, since agitation can only be done by gently pouring out the developer and equally gently pouring it back in. To be avoided!

I use these tanks from Paterson. Great plastic tank and reels. I may go stainless later, but they work SO great. I have a tank what takes two 35 mm reels and another that takes 4 35 mm reels. Furthermore I have a bucketfull of reels so no problems with having to dry the reels that I just used before I can develop another round of film.

This is one of the few things for which no opinion exists, only a statement of plain fact. Lab ware has always been the place where the bad is cheap, the good is dear, and the only bargains were the ones that hurt to buy. There USED to be an adage in Photography, "Spend as much as you can afford on as little as you need." In darkroom work, it's always true.

Ahem.

Steel.

The best tanks are Kindermann. With the plastic lids.

Old school, best reels were Nikor. TODAY, HEWES. The Hewes are perfect.

Kindermann reels, very good.
Nikkor tanks, OK.

My Kindermann tanks, bought new in 1970 are perfect after about 14,000 rolls of film. I've replaced the lids a couple times. The original Nikor reels are like new, the Hewes... which are still in production... I hope, fantastic.

I have been using a bakelite tank from the 30s.
It is a Tower brand ,I think it was made by sears.I bought it at a camera
store, It was in a discount bin for $5 ,when I was at the cash register paying for it ,the grandson told me that It belonged to his grandfather,and that he hated having to develop film in it, when he was a kid starting out.
I told him he should realy keep this , he was glad to never see it again.
I will only use this 1930s bakelite tank to develop my film.

richardmellor said:

I have been using a bakelite tank from the 30s....
I will only use this 1930s bakelite tank to develop my film.

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What do you find so great about this tank compared to more modern tanks? (I'm not trying to challenge or contradict you; I'm curious.)

well it's hard to explain.
This is a link to my favorite bar in the world.
http://www.pjclarkes.com/htm/history.htm

richardmellor said:

well it's hard to explain.
This is a link to my favorite bar in the world.

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I am confused. what does this bar have to do with an old developing tank?

modafoto said:

I am confused. what does this bar have to do with an old developing tank?

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Maybe because his old tanks have withstood the test of time?

modafoto said:

I am confused. what does this bar have to do with an old developing tank?

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Nostalgia - using vintage equipment, which many here at APUG apparently appreciate. Or maybe Guiness tastes better in bakelite? Maybe Buddy Holly used a bakelite tank for his processing (see the link to the bar page).

Lee

This seems off topic ,but it really Isn't.

This http://www.pjclarkes.com/htm/m04/back_of_the_bar.html

inspired this http://www.pjclarkes.com/htm/m04/one_for_my_baby.html

Kindermann tanks and reels for 35 and 120. As a second choice, the omega reels work OK but seem prone to bending. For 127 film I have a couple of old Nikor reels that still work well. I have one Nikor tank, a 35mm that is huge!. It'a about twice the diameter of a normal tank and holds one reel. It has a metal top and leaks like a sieve. It also screws up my agitation patterns so it doesn't get used much. I don't like plastic reels what so ever. 35mm is too ahrd to load and 120 doesn't develop evenly. Edge surge is very noticable.

For 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5, I use a Patterson System4 tank with tubes made from Flourescent light protectors. Works like a champion. For 5x7 I have aquired a Bessler 8x10 print drum with a Unidrum roller. Only one set of film so far, they look well developed, even, but a touch overexposed.

Best of luck with your decision.

tim in san jose

I tend to prefer SS tanks & reels. Most of my SS tanks have SS tops & caps as well, a couple are newer, and have plastic tops. I also have a Jobo 2500 series tank, along with their 4x5 reels, and a couple of their roll film reels. I really don't care much for the Jobo reels (for roll film), the 4x5 reels are ok. I just bought an OLD new old stock Elkay bakelite tank/reel because it would adjust up to 70mm so I can use it when I have a short length of 70mm film to develop. I've used it for 120 as well, and it's kind of nice. The reel itself is similar to the 'normal' plastic reels, except that there's no ratchet action to it, you simply push the film onto the reel.

Probably my favorite tank/reel is my Nikor cut film tank! With it I can develop 12 sheets of sheet film as if it was roll film, using inversion agitation, etc. Normally I only process 6 sheets at a time (a single Grafmatic), but it's nice to be able to do 2 if I have lots of film to process. For 4x5 I also have a couple of HP Combiplan tanks, and while they work ok, I much prefer the Nikor tank. Just like other SS tanks, once you know how to load it, it's really easy to do!

So to sum it up, 9 times out of 10 I'll go for SS. I must admit, using the Elkay tank, and agitating it by twirling a little stick, rather than inversion seems kind of interesting!

-Mike

Well, I certainly don't have anything to say that would compare with the amount of knowledge and experience that has already graced this thread. Under its influence, I will try SS tanks (that just looks weird - but I am a WWII buff...) However, what I think I can add is a bit of a relative begineers perspective, perhaps those starting out will be able to relate - and better yet, avoid my mistakes.
Like many of you, my first steps in photography were based on someone else's knowledge and experience - in my case a very close friend. For lack of knowing any different, I went out and bought what he used - when you first start, out WOW! it can get pretty confusing sifting through all the opinions and preferences!(Just look at this thread!).
So, I went out and got a Patterson tank, used with one of their adjustible reels. I promptlyignored all the sage advice of practicing in light, and went further by rushing into the darkroom (pantry type closet in the basement ). It was winter. My wife went out for a smoke - and I told her that she can't come back in until I am done. She asked how long it would take. I thought - well, my friend got this done in about 5 minutes - how can I take any longer than, oh... 15minutes? Given this, she went outside and agreed not to come back until I get her - as any light, anywhere in the house - would get into my makeshift facility.
I killed the lights.
I felt my way around (I did have the foresight to set things up in logical, easy to access hands reach and order). It was a roll of 120 - so I unrolled the backing and did a reasonable impersonation of someone who knows what he's doing of separating it from the film. So far so good.

Here come the tips on Patterson tanks and reels:

The reels CAN be assembled wrong - when this happens, the loading ramps do not line up on both sides of the film... The previous owner did this. I didn't check it. I had to figure it out in total darkness, while holding on to a roll of film. It took a long time. My feet were freezing. The awareness of my wife seething with hatred outside the door was weighing on me like a rock . All the coffee I drank that day... well, it wanted to leave - now, if possible.... And I was FIXING my TOTALLY UNFAMILIAR reel in total DARKNESS while expecting my wife to at least kill me, with numb feet, sweaty palms (mind racing with images of the sweat ruining my film - making more sweat happen...) and Scotty from Star Trek somehow talking (in my head...) about my bladder: "She cannot hold it any loner, captain!"

And that was before I loaded the film...

All told,40+ minutes later I was finally done and ready for soup...

Which leads me to the only other tips I think anyone who is not as silly as me will need:

The reels need to be cleaned THOROUGHLY and DRIED THOROUGHLY. Water (and whatever chemical residue) gathers in the grooves and takes forever to dry - this will show on the edges of your film if not taken care of. I always disassemble the reels into halfs for cleaning and drying, and inspect them thoroughly before use.

The reels, I find, are very, very easy to load - have not used anything else, mainly for lack of a percieved need. One tip - keep your thumbs over the loading ramps - that way you will know (feel) if the film skips out on you as soon as it does (it also seems to decrease the chance of that happening).

One thing - if you get unusual effort required to load - stop, pull some film back - DO NOT force it. It usually fixes itself with a little wiggling and cursing

The tanks all leak - all the Patterson tanks I have ever used or seen used - leak. I use the little twisty-wand device to agitate, or swirl the solution the way you would ice in the bottom of your glass. Both seem to give me no problems at all. Inverting, as performed by me, makes a mess with these, so I gave up and have not seen results indicate I should revisit.

The moral of the story?

A roll of ruined film cannot do a fraction of the damage a really, really ornary wife can do - and hurts less than a bursting bladder. I cought a cold from the concrete basement floor.

I have some nice pictures. I tell myself it was worth it

The end.

Digidurst said:

Hi everyone

I have a Jobo (#1520) tank as well as an Omega tank. They both include plastic adjustable reels that will accept 35mm or 120. And they are both a real pain in the arse to load.

So I'm curious to know what folks think about the Patterson tanks or maybe the stainless tanks and reels.

Thanks for the info!

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I use a Jobo 1520 Uni tank, a 1540 Multitank and two Paterson Super System 4 tanks. Both types are good tanks, but of the two, I find the Jobo reels the easiest to load, particularly with #120 size rolls.
The secret is to practice, practice and practice some more until it becomes second nature, I know exactly how you feel, I too found loading roll films a pain to start with, but as you become more familiar with the loading procedure, you`ll find it to be a relatively easy task.
It really is a matter of practice makes perfect, so don`t give in, practice with an old out of date film for an hour or so each day.

Keith Tapscott. said:

...The secret is to practice, practice and practice some more until it becomes second nature... cut
...It really is a matter of practice makes perfect, so don`t give in, practice with an old out of date film for an hour or so each day.

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If you are going to disregard any single piece of advice - make sure it is not this piece

Stainless Steel. The Nikor tanks with steel lids and caps, I love 'em. Sometimes they leak a little, but it doesn't matter in the sink. The secret is to not overfill them - when you press on the steel cap after filling it creates a slight pressure in the tank, just enough to force out a small amount of liquid if it's filled above the top edge of the tank. Again, it's only ever a tiny bit and it's never bothered me. They cleanup easily, last forever and the fact that they use less chemistry more than makes up for the little extra cleanup (which there really isn't any - it's in the sink!). Even if there was - it's a DARKROOM for goodness sake. That's why they call it the "wet side."
As far as reels, I have all SS knockoffs. They work fine for me, but I've really been wanting to get hold of a couple of the Hewes reels just to see what all the fuss is about.

Bruce

gnashings said:

I have some nice pictures. I tell myself it was worth it
The end.

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Oh but it was! Otherwise, you would not have been able to relate this most amusing story to us!

And now for something completely different...

When developing 120 -

Kodak film developing apron, used in a tank designed for steel reels, with a (mainly) watertight lid.

Digidurst said:

Oh but it was! Otherwise, you would not have been able to relate this most amusing story to us!

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I was hoping someone would get a laugh out of it. Even my wife is able to laugh about it... but it took some time, and penance

Digidurst said:

Hi everyone

I have a Jobo (#1520) tank as well as an Omega tank. They both include plastic adjustable reels that will accept 35mm or 120. And they are both a real pain in the arse to load.

So I'm curious to know what folks think about the Patterson tanks or maybe the stainless tanks and reels.

Thanks for the info!

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Having been indoctrinated to the superiority of stainless steel reels over plastic, I purchased new SS reels when I began processing with a Jobo. I use the ones with the larger center hole that fits the standard Jobo center column. I also made an adapter so that I can use the reels with my Kindermann loader. I am satisfied with the ease of loading and the quality of the processing.

I was really happy with my Paterson tank and reels for 35mm until I broke the tank Although 120 was totally hopeless with the Paterson.

So anyhoo, because I had broken my Paterson, I found myself forced to use the Kindermanns which had come with my Jobo Tempering bath. I have to admit that 120 is a breeze and 35mm (with practise) comes off without a hitch.

So now, I use my Kindermann tanks and reels exclusively.

Kent

Patterson Guarenteed!

Nick Zentena said:

When the Patterson starts to leak you'll like the Jobo lid I'm not sure what about the lid you don't like? Lift the ring. Push it down. Seat the ring.

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For years I've used Patterson Tanks of various sizes and probably the eight reel (35mm.) the most. Whenever the tanks started to leak or chip or whatever I simply took them back to Freestyle who cheerfully honors Patterson's very liberal warranty. Must have returned three of the big tanks and one or two of the medium over the years. The small two-reel Patterson Tank I bought in 1977 with my Beseler 23c XL still works fine (as does the enlarger). I wonder how many of today's digital "photo" printers will be still working
28 years from now?

I'm in the process of switching to Jobo rotary processing- for sheet film,
C-41, and color printing but it's good to know that Patterson will take of their customers at any rate.

I've used SS for a while. When I first started developing my own film, I used the plastic reels. My 35mm rolls were fine but my 120 film would always come out damaged. Maybe it was just me loading it incorrectly or something, but I've not had that problem since switching to SS.