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srs5694 · 07-17-2008, 01:36 AM

FWIW, I've got a Russian film developing tank, like this one on eBay. It's unusual in that it doesn't have "reels" per se -- it's got grooved disks that fit onto a central rod and are spaced by plastic rings. By cutting custom rings to size (I'm sure you could find suitable material in a hardware store), you could make this design work with any size film you like, down to the limits of no spacers (which is good for 16mm film) or the top capacity of the tank (60mm definitely works, and simple math says that 70mm should be possible, but I've not tried that). I'm sure an investment of a few cents in a custom spacer would make the tank work for 127 film. Actually, you might need two spacers: One for between the reels and one to put on top, to give the tightening nut something to tighten. FWIW, I prefer this tank for my medium format developing -- I find it's easier to load than my AP or Paterson plastic reels or my cheap stainless steel reels. I prefer my stainless steel tank with Hewes reels for 35mm, though. Maybe if I were to invest in better MF stainless steel reels I'd prefer it for MF, but for the moment the Russian tank is what I use for MF.

07-17-2008, 01:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
srs5694 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woonsocket, RI USA Posts: 2,130	FWIW, I've got a Russian film developing tank, like this one on eBay. It's unusual in that it doesn't have "reels" per se -- it's got grooved disks that fit onto a central rod and are spaced by plastic rings. By cutting custom rings to size (I'm sure you could find suitable material in a hardware store), you could make this design work with any size film you like, down to the limits of no spacers (which is good for 16mm film) or the top capacity of the tank (60mm definitely works, and simple math says that 70mm should be possible, but I've not tried that). I'm sure an investment of a few cents in a custom spacer would make the tank work for 127 film. Actually, you might need two spacers: One for between the reels and one to put on top, to give the tightening nut something to tighten. FWIW, I prefer this tank for my medium format developing -- I find it's easier to load than my AP or Paterson plastic reels or my cheap stainless steel reels. I prefer my stainless steel tank with Hewes reels for 35mm, though. Maybe if I were to invest in better MF stainless steel reels I'd prefer it for MF, but for the moment the Russian tank is what I use for MF.