Paterson Super System 4 missing center column

<p>Hi there. I just picked up a Paterson Super System 4 with the hopes of taking a stab at developing some film at home. I noticed that it is missing the center column that connects the base of the tank, through the spindle and to the lock. Is that gonna be a problem? If so, is there an alternate solution? Everything seems to fit together ok, but I just wanted to check with you guys. Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Yes, it will make a big difference. The tank is not light tight without the center column.</p>

<p>You could try calling Freestyle and see if they carry replacement parts.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.freestylephoto.biz/">http://www.freestylephoto.biz/</a></p>

 

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<td>1-800-292-6137</td>

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<td>1-323-660-3460</td>

<td>(international)</td>

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<p>the centre column makes the tank light proof. not using a central column will ruin the film.</p>

<p>A new center column will run about $6, depending on which you need: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=paterson+center+column&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=.</p>

 

<p>Thanks for all of the advice! Glad I asked!!</p>

<p>That's great that you can buy the part separately and so cheaply. I have your tank, and one thing I would suggest is that if yours still has the little plastic spindle that is designed to fit in the center column, don't use it. I was having huge development issues using mine. I tried agitation by twisting the spindle slowly, and tried twisting it fast. No matter what I did, I was getting surge marks on the film. I threw mine away and went with a gentle, twisting motion on my inversions, and things came out perfect from then on. Well, they came out perfect if I did everything else right, but that fixed the problem on the agitation. Now I use the twisty, gentle inversion for 30 seconds when I do developing (D76), then 2 gentle, twisty inversions every 30 seconds, except for the last minute, where it gets no inversions. There are youtube videos that will give you a good look at this technique. Don't forget to give the tank a firm rap on a hard surface to get air bubbles off the film.</p>

I agree with Steve on the center spindle, just not complete enough agitation. I found it does ok with 35mm but not so

much with 120. Great tanks though, fastest fill and drain times in the business which I *really* prefer.