120 format in a Patterson tank

rayonline_nz · Feb 1, 2016

I haven't got a 120 format camera yet. Doing the prep work. With my 35mm, 1 reel I use 300ml of solution. Under 120 format, how much solution do I need? And I cannot do 2 reels of 120 right? My tank does 2 reels of 35mm but that is kinda the max.

Thanks in advance.

HiHoSilver · Feb 1, 2016

There have been a couple revisions to patterson tanks since the last ice age. Mine's from the 80's and I have one from the 70's. I use about 575ml for a single roll of 120. If you have a local shop that can give you a waste roll of 120, they handle a little differently. The narrow width of 35 is easier to handle. Some dry runs of loading the reel w/ 120 might not hurt. All the normal caveats apply - DRY reel, dry hands, etc. I just paid some dues trying a stainless reel on shots that should have had no experimenting. Wrinkled negs show up.

rbultman · Feb 1, 2016

Look on the bottom of the tank. Should be 500ml/120 roll. Your two-reel tank will do 1 reel of 120.

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Dali · Feb 1, 2016

If you tank can load 2 35mm films max, It will carry 1 120 film only.

For 120 film, the guidance says 500ml I thinks but I always use 600ml.

MattKing · Feb 1, 2016

Which Paterson tank do you have? (note that there is just one "t" in Paterson).

If you have one which permits loading 2 reels of 35mm, you can use it for 120. As far as I know, there are no modern Paterson tanks which aren't big enough to take at least one reel setup for 120.

The tank will indicate on its bottom what volume of solution you need for various size films.

If your tank is big enough for 120, the Paterson reels will permit loading two 120 films on the same reel - I do it regularly. There are, however some complexities if you do that, so I wouldn't start out by doing that.

rayonline_nz · Feb 2, 2016

Thanks all

There it is on the bottom. 500ml for a 120 and 290ml for a 35mm. I have the Paterson Tank System 4 with the grey lid on top.

R.Gould · Feb 2, 2016

With a Patterson tank you need 500ml of solution fo cover the reel for 120, bit I suggest that you use 600ml as the reel can slide up the center colum slightly and the extra 100ml makes sure that the film is covered, I reel per tank instead of two for 35mm, but you can put 2 120 films in the 1 reel, wind the first film into the reel as far as it will go, then load the second, two films will develop in the same amount of chemistry as one.

chromacomaphoto · Feb 2, 2016

I use a fairly new Patterson tank at the minute and typically just go with 600ml for devving a single 120 roll in it but I dare say I could get away with a bit less. Never had any problems. BTW: You might find it a little trickier getting a roll of 120 film onto a Paterson reel than a 35mm roll at first, be patient though, it takes a bit of getting used to for some people.

bence8810 · Feb 2, 2016

I load 2 120 rolls into one reel as well, you basically double your output that way. Load the first one in, make sure the end passes the loading aid (little metallic ball) and then just keep turning it until it's gone all the way into the core. Now it's time to load the 2nd one in and you're good to go.
I use an LPL / AP style reel in the Paterson tank as its a lot easier to load for 120 rolls.

Good luck,
Ben

ritternathan · Feb 2, 2016

Take Matt's advice, only load one 120 film in the beginning until you can do it smoothly in the dark. And when you do want to load two rolls of 120, after loading the first until it is wound tight, leave the tape on the second roll after removing the backing paper and make a loop with the tape, joining the end of the tape at the place where the film ends. This will help keep the two films separate on the reel. If the two rolls overlap, the developer and the fixer aren't always able to reach both films. Don't ask me how I know

Rick A · Feb 2, 2016

Use a clip to lock the single reel on the spindle when you develop single 120 film, otherwise the reel could creep up and a portion of the film could be above the level of developer.

bvy · Feb 2, 2016

Or just use 600ml of solution -- which I would do anyway.

Rick A · Feb 2, 2016

Too much developer in the tank does not allow for proper agitation.

CropDusterMan · Feb 2, 2016

I switched away from Paterson's to Jobo because I found them more ergonomic to use for inverson, and I like their reels better, but that's just me. I agree with above about the reel having the potential to slide, usually a good rap on the counter solves that following each completed inversion, but a rubber band tight above the reel on the center shaft also does the trick.

bvy · Feb 2, 2016

Rick A said:
Too much developer in the tank does not allow for proper agitation.

600ml hardly fills the tank; it just brings the developer to a more comfortable level above the reel.

Rick A · Feb 2, 2016

bvy said:
600ml hardly fills the tank; it just brings the developer to a more comfortable level above the reel.

Why waste the chemicals? It doesn't gain you any advantage to use extra.

destroya · Feb 2, 2016

I also use 600 ml per roll. Chems are cheap. Having to retake a photo because of uneven development is not fun and most of the time not possible.

R.Gould · Feb 2, 2016

Rick A said:
Why waste the chemicals? It doesn't gain you any advantage to use extra.

The extra 100ml costs very little and saves ruining a film by the top creeping up the center colum and not being developed properly, something that has happened to many, it is certainly cheaper than more film and travel to reshot

bvy · Feb 2, 2016

Rick A said:
Why waste the chemicals? It doesn't gain you any advantage to use extra.

I'm not going to economize on developer at the risk of ruined images.

MattKing · Feb 2, 2016

If you are obsessing over how much developer you are using up, may I suggest a replenishment regime.

cliveh · Feb 2, 2016

Rick A said:
Too much developer in the tank does not allow for proper agitation.

I don't understand why this should be.

pbromaghin · Feb 2, 2016

cliveh said:
I don't understand why this should be.

You need air to provide a place for the chemicals to move to. If there is no air in the canister, the developer does not move.

cliveh · Feb 2, 2016

pbromaghin said:
You need air to provide a place for the chemicals to move to. If there is no air in the canister, the developer does not move.

I don't have a degree in fluid dynamics, but does the liquid turn to jelly without an air space?

Rick A · Feb 2, 2016

cliveh said:
I don't have a degree in fluid dynamics, but does the liquid turn to jelly without an air space?

No, but you do need enough air space to create turbulence in the developer so it can bring fresh chems to the film surface while moving the bromides away from the film as well, to avoid uneven development and bromide drag streaks.

cliveh · Feb 2, 2016

Rick A said:
No, but you do need enough air space to create turbulence in the developer so it can bring fresh chems to the film surface while moving the bromides away from the film as well, to avoid uneven development and bromide drag streaks.

Rick, thanks for that, so am I correct in thinking that lack of air space causes insufficient turbulence regardless of agitation technique?

120 format in a Patterson tank

rayonline_nz

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120 format in a Patterson tank

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