benedict297 Posted February 16, 2014 Share #1 Posted February 16, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I'm looking to develop my own film and looking to get the Paterson multi reel 3 tanks. Reason is I want to be able to develop 2 rolls of 120 at the same time. Now I understand that it can also take 3 reels of 35mm film but say if I only want to develop 2 reels is this still ok? I'm guessing if I develop only 2 reels the reels will be moving up and down the spiral a lot more as there is extra capacity. Will this be any issue at all? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 Hi benedict297, Take a look here Paterson tank. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Michael Hiles Posted February 16, 2014 Share #2 Posted February 16, 2014 For 35mm, put three reels in the tank, even of you have film in only two. Obviously, the empty reel goes on top. Don't fill the tank all the way with developer - a little extra space allows for more complete movement of the developer when agitating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 16, 2014 Share #3 Posted February 16, 2014 In the rare event that development times are similar, you can even mix one of each size or other combinations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 16, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 16, 2014 I'm guessing if I develop only 2 reels the reels will be moving up and down the spiral a lot more as there is extra capacity. Will this be any issue at all? Thanks The ancient Paterson tanks needed a plastic collar on the central column to keep the spirals in place, the new tanks and new spirals don't, the spirals have a 'spring' to grip the column. I often process films without filling the tank or stacking extra spirals on top and they have never moved. So two 120 In a 'three film' tank is ok. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted February 16, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 16, 2014 Yes, mine are the type that have a collar on top of the spirals to hold them down, I haven't used them for a good few years but usually used the size tank that took 2 120s, and put in whatever 35s I had with a collar on top. I never used inversion agitation (to much extra chance of air bells) and have heard of the spirals moving on the column if you do even with a collar on. The instructions for the multi reel tank should specify how much of each solution to put in for one, two or three films etc. Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted February 16, 2014 Share #6 Posted February 16, 2014 If you have the tank with three separate reels, use all three otherwise the reels will surge through the developer and cause streaks due to local over-agitation. Do not use less chemistry for the same reason. All you need is a generous bubble in the top to assist agitation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 16, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 16, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you have the tank with three separate reels, use all three otherwise the reels will surge through the developer and cause streaks due to local over-agitation. Do not use less chemistry for the same reason. All you need is a generous bubble in the top to assist agitation. But you can't put three reels in a 'three reel tank' if two are in 120 format, which after all is what the OP is asking about. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted February 16, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 16, 2014 never had any trouble using 2 reels in a 3 reel tank, and just using enough dev to cover the two. IMHO and experience, insufficient agitation will cause streaking, too much agitation will give even dev but more contrast than you want surely Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
benedict297 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks guys.. Gonna put this on order now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 17, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 17, 2014 I have an older type Paterson tank. I bought a new reel recently and didn't notice a spring clip, will have to look at that. Anyway, yes, with the collar the reels can ride up during agitation if you're not careful. The answer is to either agitate with the spindle thingy, agitate normally but do it gently, or ensure you fill the tank to avoid the reel riding up above the level of the liquids. I often fit just one reel in my tank, with the collar. I agitate normally but gently and don't have any problems with the reels moving. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaspart Posted February 18, 2014 Share #11 Posted February 18, 2014 You can as well put two 120's on one reel. Just load the second film right after the first. That's what I'm doing occasionally with my Paterson 2x35mm-reel tank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardgb Posted February 19, 2014 Share #12 Posted February 19, 2014 You can as well put two 120's on one reel. Just load the second film right after the first. That's what I'm doing occasionally with my Paterson 2x35mm-reel tank. Yes, I often did this. Before you do it for real, though, make sure to practise using some old film so that you know how far to 'wind' the 120 into the middle. The second roll of 120 will just stop at the entry to the spiral - don't insert it too far or it may overlap the first roll. Development times are unaffected - in the volume of developer you'll need (about 500ml?) there is more than enough capacity for 2 rolls of 120 (as a rule of thumb, the area of a single 120 roll is the same as a 36-exposure 35mm film). Final point, and this applies to any loading of film into plastic spirals, the spirals have to be absolutely dry. Any small drop of liquid is enough to make the emulsion stick and prevent loading. Do not try and force the film in - especially 120, which is thinner and more easily damaged than 35mm. With a bit of practice, and luck, you can sometimes loosen a stuck film by gently counter-rotating the spirals. If this doesn't work, you are then truly 'stuck' trying to take the film out in the dark and recovering the spirals to dry them... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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