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Chrome Film Back

Chrome Film Back

Film Tanks & Reels

Learn about the working of photographic equipment such as film reels and film processing tanks.

Sifting through our favorite photo albums is like traveling back in time by going down memory lane and reliving those precious moments spent with our loved ones. But what keeps our memories from fading away? Of course the camera--one of the best human inventions of all times.

Quiet a lot of work is involved before we finally get to see our everlasting fond memories on paper.

Film Reel

 

Once the film roll is complete and ready to be developed, it is loaded/ spooled onto a film reel in a darkroom. This step involves extra carefulness as portions of the film might not get developed if it has been improperly loaded. A film reel actually looks like a picture on a reel that would rotate and the photographs would show up, one after the other, on a cinema screen like the way cinemas showed movies long time back or like the Hollywood old film reel pictures as depicted in today’s movies.

Basically film reels are used for holding the roll film firmly so that it can be properly developed once inside the film processing tank. The roll takes the form of a spiral so that the film surfaces do not touch and it is uniformly spaced to let the chemical flow freely and touch every part of the film. The reel should be dry as any sign of dampness makes loading difficult.

Film reels are available in either plastic or steel and also in varied sizes to accommodate different films. Steel reels are more durable while the plastic ones are easier to handle by amateur photographers.

 

Film Reel Brands

 

Companies such as Peterson, Kindermann etc manufacture film tanks and reels for developing films.

Paterson positions itself as a user-friendly brand by offering the auto-load reel with a smooth finish and a twin ball ratchet system that make film loading very simple. 

The 35mm stainless steel reels manufactured by Kindermann are marketed as chemical resistant, easy to clean and unbreakable as they are made from strong chrome nickel steel. It also guarantees to prevent damage as the reel is designed in such a way that there is negligible contact between the film edge and the reel.

 

Film Processing Tanks

 

Once the film has been loaded onto the film reel, it is developed using a light tight container called a film processing tank. The photographic film has the tendency to get damaged if exposed to daylight while developing, but with a film processing tank it can be developed in a daylight setting hence these are also referred to as ‘daylight tanks’. The various chemicals required for developing the photographs can be poured inside through the opening in the tank’s lid.

 

Similar to film reels, the film processing tank comes with different tank varieties and reel sizes to cater to both 35mm and 120mm film. The varieties include stainless steel and plastic tanks. For beginners it is advisable to use plastic tanks as they are cheap and user-friendly. However when processing temperature needs to be controlled, only stainless tanks can be used. Moreover a steel tank can be used either wet or dry unlike plastic tank where the film sticks and gets ruined if the tank is wet.

 

The core steps for developing photographs are summarized in the following steps:

1. Prepare all the necessary equipment (tools, chemicals etc);
2. Spool the film onto the film reel in the dark;
3. Transfer the reel to the film processing tank sealed by a cap (once safely packed inside, film can be easily developed in daylight without getting ruined);
4. Pour the developer in the tank and start the agitation process till required;
5. After agitation is complete, wash the film;
6. Hang to dry in a dust-free area;
7. Cut the dry film into strips for printing.

 

 

In order to search for film tanks and film reels on sale, photography magazines or websites maybe consulted.

About the Author

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Get the Most from Your Grout Cleaner

Looking for a home for that old toothbrush? Well, you might not even need to get that intense with your bathroom tiles and the dirt collecting in between them. Sort of remind you of plaque? Uh-huh, but all you need is to pull out a good <b>grout cleaner</b> and get cracking! When it comes to the right cleaner, check the label and choose one that sprays out as foam and promises to stick to the surface. You want a product that’s non abrasive and multipurpose. Nowadays, it is possible to find a cleanser that’s a better friend when it comes to the environment. That means better marks for your health too. Check for the absence of phosphates and chlorofluorocarbons, and for the presence of a recyclable container of septic-system friendly stuff when used properly. Plan to use it on a variety of surfaces in your bathroom, from the tiles to the sink and tub, even the vinyl shower curtain. Anything made of chrome, stainless steel, porcelain, or baked enamel. Check the label for more specifics. If you have a shower door, it’s also a good bet to keep it on its track, literally. You might need a different, more specialized brush, though, to fit in the groove. Don’t forget to wipe down your rubber bath mat and plastic garbage can, and that diaper pail. Watch out in the case of colored grout. It’s important to perform a test on a small patch in an inconspicuous spot to check for possible color fading. And make sure you don’t let it sit for a minute on marble surfaces. While bathroom tiles are not exactly like teeth, they do end up being subjected to a good workout when it comes to most families. Unlike dental floss, more like mouthwash, your tile and grout cleaner can help you make sure that your bathroom enamel lasts a heck of a lot longer. And that can only save you time and money in the long run. Prevention, protection, it’s back and forth and back again. When getting down to the nitty-gritty of the job, make sure you spray your cleaner from about six to eight inches away from the surface. Then take a damp cloth or a sponge, instead of that grumpy old toothbrush, to do any necessary scrubbing and wiping. Don’t forget to give the surface a rinse. In no time at all, you’ll have completed the task and be on to the next pressing household mission. It always feels good to know that you’ve conquered all those stubborn soapy films, dirty rings, and grimy corners for another day. But don’t stop there. Don’t lose track of time star gazing into all those shiny surfaces. There’s life outside of there. Once you’ve rinsed out your rag, recycled your toothbrush (oh you perfectionists!), and put away your trusty <b>grout cleaner</b>, you’ll be smiling at a job  well done. Don’t forget to take a moment to do something nice for yourself after all that. You’re worth it!

Looking for a home for that old toothbrush? Well, you might not even need to get that intense with your bathroom tiles and the dirt collecting in between them. Sort of remind you of plaque? Uh-huh, but all you need is to pull out a good grout cleaner and get cracking!

When it comes to the right cleaner, check the label and choose one that sprays out as foam and promises to stick to the surface. You want a product that’s non abrasive and multipurpose.

Nowadays, it is possible to find a cleanser that’s a better friend when it comes to the environment. That means better marks for your health too. Check for the absence of phosphates and chlorofluorocarbons, and for the presence of a recyclable container of septic-system friendly stuff when used properly.

Plan to use it on a variety of surfaces in your bathroom, from the tiles to the sink and tub, even the vinyl shower curtain. Anything made of chrome, stainless steel, porcelain, or baked enamel. Check the label for more specifics.

If you have a shower door, it’s also a good bet to keep it on its track, literally. You might need a different, more specialized brush, though, to fit in the groove. Don’t forget to wipe down your rubber bath mat and plastic garbage can, and that diaper pail.

Watch out in the case of colored grout. It’s important to perform a test on a small patch in an inconspicuous spot to check for possible color fading. And make sure you don’t let it sit for a minute on marble surfaces.

While bathroom tiles are not exactly like teeth, they do end up being subjected to a good workout when it comes to most families. Unlike dental floss, more like mouthwash, your tile and grout cleaner can help you make sure that your bathroom enamel lasts a heck of a lot longer. And that can only save you time and money in the long run. Prevention, protection, it’s back and forth and back again.

When getting down to the nitty-gritty of the job, make sure you spray your cleaner from about six to eight inches away from the surface. Then take a damp cloth or a sponge, instead of that grumpy old toothbrush, to do any necessary scrubbing and wiping. Don’t forget to give the surface a rinse.

In no time at all, you’ll have completed the task and be on to the next pressing household mission. It always feels good to know that you’ve conquered all those stubborn soapy films, dirty rings, and grimy corners for another day.

But don’t stop there. Don’t lose track of time star gazing into all those shiny surfaces. There’s life outside of there.

Once you’ve rinsed out your rag, recycled your toothbrush (oh you perfectionists!), and put away your trusty grout cleaner, you’ll be smiling at a job  well done. Don’t forget to take a moment to do something nice for yourself after all that. You’re worth it!

About the Author

Author, V. P. Platania, Jr. specializes in writing about home care & personal care subjects. The Fuller Brush Company has been in business since 1906, offers high quality grout cleaner, home & personal care products to keep your home and your body clean.

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