Bent my stainless reel, are the pro reels worth the money?

[Puma]

Hello,

I've gone and bent my reel and I'd like to know if the expensive reels are worth it. Tundra pro reels are about $50 and I want to know if you still have the occasional problem with it?

Thank you,

Puma

[Tim Gray]

I love mine. I didn't spend $50 on them. More like $20. Try Freestyle and search for Hewes.

[holmburgers]

Or Nikor, and of course eBay. I think I got two perfect, boxed Nikor reels for maybe $10.

[tkamiya]

Hewes are very easy to load. The wires are thicker and film "pops" in there quite easily. How badly is your reel bent? I had a few like that and I just bent it back....

[walbergb]

I echo Tim's recommendation for Hewes reels. They are made of heavier gauge steel than most; and with the prongs instead of a spring in the centre to start the film, they are a breeze to load. Expect to spend $15-20 (average) each on eBay (shipping not included).

[23mjm]

I just buy them on eBay, you can find lots of 10+ reels that go for $20 or so. I have had to throw away one of two reels but I still end up with many good serviceable reels for the cost of a few new reels. I probably have 20 120 reels, 25 135 reels, and 10 tanks of various sizes. I would like do few more double 120 tanks, but I never get around to buying any. I ended up with lots of Nikor's, a few Hewes, and some no names.

[Paul Sorensen]

I don't know this for a fact but rumor has it that the Tundra is a rebranded Hewes reel anyway. Freestyle does indeed have the Hewes for $20, which is about $5 less than B&H. http://www.freestylephoto.biz/140135...mm?cat_id=1603

[David A. Goldfarb]

Hewes reels are totally worth it.

[degruyl]

another vote for hewes

[tonyjuliano]

Hewes all the way...