I've returned to processing my own film after many years. Currently using Peterson plastic reels and tanks. I'm sort of motivated to switch to stainless steel reels and tanks, mostly because of the 8 oz. per reel capacity compared to the Peterson's 10 oz. per reel capacity. No big deal, but multiples of 8 oz. matches the chemical batch quantities more closely (think economy).

I use a large changing bag to load the plastic reels/tanks. I seem to remember that the method of loading the stainless steel spiral reels involved rolling the reel on a long flat surface in a darkroom. It occurs to me that this might not work inside a changing bag.

Anyone have specific experience with spiral reels in changing bags? If it makes it more difficult to load reels, it might not be worth the saved chemicals.

-- Jeff Polaski (polaski@Acm.org), November 21, 2001

Answers

I don't know about you, but I have a difficult time w/ the SS reels. I have improved a lot since I first started and I have found some film are easier than other..... the bottom line is that every now and then I ended up screwing up a couple of frames that I would have liked to keep.

I like the SS tanks it is small and compact. less mess. easy to invert and shake. but I didn't feel like risking the negative.

I now use a Peterson tank and haven't screw up any negative yet. it is a lot more dummy(me) prove.

Alex

-- alex Siu (Alex_s2@yahoo.com), November 21, 2001.

"loading the stainless steel spiral reels involved rolling the reel on a long flat surface in a darkroom."

I thought you just held the film in your right hand and rotated the reel in your left. I do it in a changing bag.

-- John O'Connell (boywonderiloveyou@hotmail.com), November 21, 2001.

Jeff: I routinely load SS reels in a changing bag. There is no need to have a table top to roll the reel on; just hold the film in one hand and the reel in the other.

Along time ago I stumbled upon a method of loading stainless reels that forever changed any difficulties I had: As you wind the film onto the reel, push slack into the spool as you feed the film. Most of the problems with SS loading is caused by too much tension. There should be NO tension on the film as it lays in the reels.

One other thing, there are SS reels and there are SS reels. The same for tanks. You can certainly go cheap and get two new reels and a 500ml tank for about $20-25 total. But I strongly urge you to get Hewes reels (also marketed by Jobo, Omega and a few others--they will all say "Hewes" on the SS tap at the spool core, however). These reels are noticably heavier than other brands, they are finished better (no sharp edges), they load more smoothly and they have a unique anchoring system that positively centers the film on the spool at the outset (miscentering the film is the other major reason people have difficulty with SS reels). As for tanks, the best are made by Kinderman; they are considerably heavier than others (which means more stable temperature), the tops fit very snuggly, and they have a larger opening to fill and empty faster. These reels and tank will mean an investment of about $75, but they are superbly made and a pleasure to use. Check ebay for bargins on them as many people are selling off darkroom equipment. I recently bought 8 Hewes reels for $40.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), November 21, 2001.

Changing bags come in various sizes, just get one that is fairly large and lay it on a large flat surface like a table. One hand turns the reel (the reel should always touch the bottom surface of the changing bag while being rotated to make sure it is wound straight) and the other hand flexes the film slightly while being held about 4-5" from the reel. Just make sure the film is centered in the reel and is straight before turning the reel.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), November 21, 2001.

Thank you, all... And now I'm off to the (temporary laundry room) darkroom.

-- Jeff Polaski (polaski@acm.org), November 26, 2001.

Another tip I have found useful for loading 35mm film. Leave the leader out after exposing the film. This way you can cut the leader correctly and start the film correctly onto the reel in the light. Of course finish loading in the bag :)

-- Gene Crumpler (hassieguy@att.net), November 27, 2001.

One who claims never to have trouble loading stainless steel reels would lie about other things too.

-- Patrick A. Gainer (pgainer@rtol.net), December 06, 2001.

It's a gift!

-- Gene "Silver Fingers" Crumpler (hassieguy@att.net), December 12, 2001.