Film Tanks & Reels

Introduction To The Film Reel

The film reel is an important part of the darkroom setup. This particular piece of equipment is used for hanging a roll of film for processing, which is done when the reel is placed into a tank. There are many film reels available for sale on the market and the price varies according to size and whether the reel is made out of plastic or steel. The price range for film reels is $25 to $200. Some of the brands that you may come across in addition to Kodak are Arkay, Doran, Jobo, Samigon, Watson, and Yankee. The price you pay for your feel reel will depend on what your processing needs are. If you plan to process a lot of film, then you may want to consider buying a larger more-sturdy reel, which would be more in the higher price range given. For the amateur hobbyist who is not going to process as much film then a smaller reel is recommended and these can be purchased for a fraction of the price of the more expensive ones. If you are on a budget, you may want to consider checking with an online auction house such as eBay. Usually, there are many people who are putting up various pieces of darkroom equipment for sale. If you decide to go this route, make sure that the reel is in good working condition and that the seller is reputable, this can be checked by looking at the seller’s rating and reading the feedback given on the seller by his or her customers. It would also be worthwhile to check with your local photography shop for any sales they may have on reels. This is an excellent way to pick up a brand new quality reel at a cut-rate price and not have to worry about any defects or cracks in the reel.

Introduction To The Film Tank

The film tank is a necessary piece of darkroom equipment. After the film has been wound around the reel, it is then placed into the tank for processing. Film tanks are less expensive than the reels that are placed into them. The price range varies from $15 to $100. The smaller tanks are less expensive than the larger, stainless steel tanks, which easily sell for $100. Some of the brands include Kodak, Cescolite, Jobo, Peterson, Samigon, and Yankee. If you are an amateur photographer who doesn’t plan to process that much film, then a smaller tank might better suit your needs and would not cost as much. The larger more durable tanks are needed for those who plan on processing a large amount of film and want to purchase a tank that will last them the lifetime of their darkroom.