Paterson Photographic Multi-Reel 5 Tank

2021-11-27T02:02:52

Coming from the ars-imago LAB-BOX, where you can only develop one roll at a time, this thing is a pleasure! The design is sturdy (won't leak like the LAB-BOX), everything is simple and easy to clean, and the white plastic reels (sold separately) are surprisingly easy to load. For me, I usually buy the Rollei 2.5L C-41 (color development) kit, split the parts in half (to 1.25L), giving me enough chemicals to develop four 35mm rolls at a time (each roll needs 290mL), or two 120 rolls (each roll needs 500mL). Similarly for B&W, I use Kodak Stop Bath and Ilford Rapid Fixer (creating 1.25L of solution at the recommended dilutions), and then I use Rodinal (a one-shot developer; I use 1:50 dillution) and make however much solution I need based on how many rolls I'm working with. For me, I find this to be best compromise of bulk developing, and easy storage of chemicals. My only minor complaint about this tank is the lid. It's fine and when it seals right, it won't leak. BUT, I did just a develop a few rolls, put in some blix, and pop on the lid, only to realize that I didn't seal it fully and the blix spilled out around my bathroom. My fault, but I really had thought I sealed it, and it's just annoying because there's not much audible indication that's it fully sealed like there is when you close the lightproof top. Would be nice if it had a few major jar-style clamps around the edges for ease of mind, but it's a minor complaint and I've only done it once after maybe a dozen session with the tank. Other than that though, it's perfect. Don't waste your time with any other company's tanks. The film reel things ? and their ratchet loading system ? are what make this thing. The metal tanks by comparison, seem like a complete pain in the butt. One more thing: buy the tank that's right for you based on how many rolls you develop at a time. If you're only developing one or two rolls, maybe go for the three-reel tank (which lets you develop three 35mm rolls or two 120 rolls), or even the two-reel tank if you definitely aren't ever going to develop more than that (only allows for one 120 roll though). But if you're not sure, going a size up and have a little extra space isn't going to kill you. I have my eyes on the eight-reel tank as well, but as I said above, I essentially chose the five-reel based on chemicals, and I upped it to the eight-reel tank, I would need 2.5L of each solution, which is an odd size for storage containers (one gallon is almost four liters, leaving a lot of air in the container which exhausts the chemicals). I may also get the three-reel or two-reel tank for small projects, but after ditching the LAB-BOX, I just can't imagine going through the entire development process to end up with one or two rolls developed. Sorry, last thing: for the Rollei C41 color developing kit, they said the Blix solution can only be re-used twice. I haven't tested trying it a third time because I value my shots, but this seems like an important factor to consider. If you make 1L or 1.25L of the solutions and keep them all together (the full 1.25L in one container), you're better off developing more rolls in a single go so you can get the best value out of your chemicals.

ZACHARY W.

2021-03-18T08:47:17

This has always been a reliable classic.

CAROL S.

2020-06-04T10:43:37

Worked as described. Arrived quickly. I use it for processing 4x5 film and for which it's well suited

GARY H.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I use this to process 35mm film and Super 8 film. It works perfect for 35mm and gets the job done with super 8. The larger size allows me to process a full 50 ft roll of super 8 without any breaks in the footage. Just be sure to agitate a lot!

NickZ

2009-05-03T21:00:00

I've used this at my school many times and has proven very useful when processing many rolls at once. The only down side is when full it can be very heavy and hard to keep a grip on when wet. But that aside it great and plan on getting my own 8reel tank soon.

Nightwolf

2009-05-02T21:00:00

I have been using this tank since 1998, developing more than 4 rolls every week. It works wonderfully. Film is very easy to load. The canisters can be adjusted to develop 220 film, which is a hassle in normal 220 aluminum reels. One important observation: It is of utmost importance to buy the accompanying washing hose.

Pedro C.