35mm In paterson type drum

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Wayne
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Good afternoon,

When developing 35mm I usually put the single reel on the shaft, I thought yesterday that perhaps I should use both reels in case it slips and ends up out of the developer, are my fears unjustified or is using both reels good practice?
 
Good afternoon,

When developing 35mm I usually put the single reel on the shaft, I thought yesterday that perhaps I should use both reels in case it slips and ends up out of the developer, are my fears unjustified or is using both reels good practice?
Back in the old days when I used to do a lot of my own developing I'm sure there were small rings that fit on the shaft to keep the reel in place if you weren't filling the whole tank.
 
Back in the old days when I used to do a lot of my own developing I'm sure there were small rings that fit on the shaft to keep the reel in place if you weren't filling the whole tank.
I am on my second tank and have not seen those Paul, perhaps my tanks were incomplete I got them off the bay so could be.
 
I am on my second tank and have not seen those Paul, perhaps my tanks were incomplete I got them off the bay so could be.
Yes the little rings were standard, if I recall correctly, from the third version on. Unfortunately, they got lost for a pastime.

If you have a second reel, there's nothing to be lost by popping it on top of the loaded one.
 
You could try Paterson to see if they have them. From discussions at the Photography Show, they do have spare/replacement parts for many things - even my 40 plus year old tripod.
 
I've got mostly older ones, but the one new one that I bought about five years ago never came with a ring and I've never used one.

I just had a quick look on the Evil Bay at some of the pictures of new ones for sale - some have rings, some don't. :thinking:

I only use Jobo rotary tanks myself now as they use a lot less chemicals . . .
 
Paterson did change the diameter of the shaft slightly when they brought out the System 4 tanks. The reels I use for large format film specifically require the System 4 tank to fit on the shaft, so perhaps this might explain why some have them and some not. I can't off hand recall whether the shaft got fatter or thinner.
 
Paterson did change the diameter of the shaft slightly when they brought out the System 4 tanks. The reels I use for large format film specifically require the System 4 tank to fit on the shaft, so perhaps this might explain why some have them and some not. I can't off hand recall whether the shaft got fatter or thinner.
System 4 and Super System 4 are the same reels and centre shaft, the older tanks (Major etc.) do indeed have a much smaller and possibly captive canter shaft. Somewhere I have a couple ancient Paterson tanks so could check if need be.

Out of interest which Paterson tanks are we using, I have both the System 4 and the newer Super System 4 with the faster filling funnel type lids, I don't like the way the newer tanks' lids bayonet on / off it always feels less secure than the older screw fit lids.
 
It's not even a real Paterson tank, its a copy by "Regent" a universal variant of the Paterson system 4. Two 135 or one 120 film.

A tapered funnel type fill, with a spindle shaft for stirring and a screw lid.
 
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