Smaller format development question - Jobo spool

[Sean Galbraith]

I have a CPE2-Plus that I development 120 and 4x5 at home. 4x5 is no problem... but for the life of me, I cannot get the damn 120 film to stay on the spool for the processing. Almost without fail, it either partially or completely comes off the spool and sticks to the walls, ruining it. I've tried spooling it all the way to the end and putting on the red lock.. I've tried only spooling it until it is just on the spool... and combinations in between. I never have this problem with my B&W hand develop tank/spool (which won't work in the jobo). Any suggestions?

[Lachlan 717]

Can you provide more details on what equipment you're using?

What drum(s)?

Which reels?

What speed setting on the Processor?

[Sean Galbraith]

Processor speed is 75 (its only speed)
The tank is a 2521
The reel is what I can only describe as a standard white reel? I don't see a model number on it.

[jeroldharter]

Have you experimented with a practice roll of film? I would load the film the way you normally do in the dark and then inspect in daylight to see where the problem is. You should not have any difficulty with the film coming off the spool. Also, verify that the spool is locked into the 120 position.

[Lachlan 717]

Also, verify that the spool is locked into the 120 position.

This is a good point.

Some spools have 2 slots very close together in the (roughly) 120 position. Grab an old piece of film and test that there is minimal clearance when it is in situ in the spool.

Another thought is that you might not, in fact, have a 120 spool. It might be a 620 spool. 620 film is a poofteenth wider than 120 (120 is 62.6364mm wide; 620 is 62.6872mm wide). I doubt it, but this might just make the difference in holding it in place.

[Sean Galbraith]

Loading and fit seems very standard compared to my B&W kit.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5092082414_0d3b4a70be_z.jpg

[venchka]

That doesn't look like the reel for 25xx tanks that I have. My reels are black and much larger diameter. The reel diameter fills the 25xx tanks and will accept 2 @ 120 end to end or 1 @ 220 rolls of film.

[venchka]

I borrowed this photo from the for sale listings.......

This is the hardware I have. The roll film reels are black with the red tab.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5082951390_76dbb64ee0_b.jpg

[Robert Ley]

I agree with Wayne. The reel that you have is a 1500 series reel designed for the 1500 series tanks. Get yourself some 2500 series reels. If you need them, I have many of these reels that I don't use and would be glad to sell you a few.

[gari beet]

I have the same reels, white, but use them with the smaller drum, 15xx? I think. Having just checked 'em they are considerably narrower than the 25xx drums I use for 5X4. If this is the issue I think the 15xx series tanks(if that's what they are) are alot easier to find and pretty cheap to buy, in the UK at least.

Gari

[jeroldharter]

That is a 1500 series reel. I have both 1500 and 2500. So far, I prefer the smaller 1500 series reels in terms of ease of loading. But I don't think you should use a 1500 series reel in a 2500 series tank, even though it fits on the center post.

[venchka]

My guess: The fluid motion is causing the loose end of the film to come off the reel. There is a large gap between the film on the 1500 reel and the 2500 tank. I have never had the problem with 4x5, 120 or 35mm film when using the 2500 reels & 2500 tanks.
Yes, 120 film is more difficult to load in the 2500 reels. Worth the effort in the long run.

[Sean Galbraith]

Sounds like the mystery has been solved. Thanks!