4x5 Developing

Skiver101 · May 26, 2017

Logan Becker said:
I'm interested to know what epoxy you used for your setup

Hi Logan,
I'm in Scotland, and I purchase ''Evo-stick-Quick Bond'' ...It's a cheap two-part epoxy that costs around £6 for 30ml ...about $8 bucks in US money.
Unfortunately, I don't know the California equivalent.
I have no problems; exept the temperature of solutions. These have to be VERY warm before any detatchment issues arise.
I use home-brew D/76, water stop, and Ilford Rapid Fixer. All at 68 F.

Good Luck...
JP

trendland · May 26, 2017

Skiver101 said:
Hi Klaus,
This is my budget solution.
I adapted a Paterson tank by setting two small plastic rails taken from a 'flow-guard' plastic contraption that fits on the end of drainpipes.
The rails have a smooth surface to them and I fine-sandpapered the ends, they are flat on one side and bevelled on the other. I carefully epoxied them to the inside of the tank.
I can develop one or two negatives with varying degrees of agitation; without slippage.
This method is easy and has returned excellent results.
Two issues that may be considered minus points; I have to use 800ml of solution (but this is retained after development and used again - so no big deal).
Also, when cleaning the tank I have to be careful that the water I use is not too warm; or it can loosen the epoxy. Although this is easily repairedr...I would just re-attach the rail. It hasn't happened yet so, again...no big deal.

Here's some pics, it's easy - and cheap. And it works a treat.

JP

View attachment 179031 View attachment 179032 View attachment 179033 View attachment 179034

Well Skiver101 - This is an elegant method of avoiding (for example) : MOD54 Large Format Filmprocessor
from B+H $ 59,95 (only the film holders -
if you still own the paterson drum)
To have quick developement to only
2 shieds of 4x5 - just excellent idea within lowest costs.

with compliments

BHuij · May 26, 2017

I had bad luck with the taco method in my Paterson tank, and after a lot of trying things out eventually I just bought a cheap set of 5x7 trays on B&H and learned to tray develop my 4x5 sheets in pitch blackness. Turned out to be way easier than I expected, and the results are great.

Skiver101 · May 27, 2017

trendland said:
This is an elegant method of avoiding (for example) : MOD54 Large Format Filmprocessor

Thanks for the compliment, but it wasn't my intention to discriminate against any particular product. Good Luck to the MOD54 guy, we need more actualisers - if I can put it that way.

JP

JPJackson · May 28, 2017

Alternative tray development of sheet film
Discussion in '(there was a url link here which no longer exists)' started by (there was a url link here which no longer exists), (there was a url link here which no longer exists).

I have been using this method for a few years with 5x7, 8x10 and 7x17 film. I do pre soak for 3 minutes. Very even development with constant agitation.

Stephen Jeffery · May 29, 2017

I use a two piece plastic paper safe with or without smaller tray inside. Minimizes my time in the dark especially for stand development.

klaus3428 · May 30, 2017

Just a quick update:
as I got the Yankee tank I have taken up the suggestion to reduce the liquid volume by way of a block of close cell packaging foam. It's been quite a job finding this - someone is actually sending me some (it seems most things still come packed with styrofoam). Will use the block to lock the film holder to 5x4, using a long cable tie to secure. This leaves me with space for six negatives, and the volume should be down to under a litre.
Will post a picture when all is done.
Nearly forgot must take some pinhole images soon!

klaus3428 · Jun 5, 2017

Well, taken my first ever pinhole image (using the Noon box), my first ever 5x4 negatives, developed in the Yankee tank with reduced liquid capacity.
Actually took two images but with the first the dark slide somehow fouled up the film which ended up outside the DDS so another practice negative. See the photo of the tank film holder with a block of foam secured with a cable tie. Still looking for a larger size piece, this only reduced volume to 1 litre. Quite difficult to develop with all the liquids sloshing about. I seem to have a case of uneven development, see picture - this was a practice negative without an image, but I have a similar mark on the one with the image. need to find a way to scan the image, will probably try to use the DSLR and lighttable (it's still drying) .

Colin Corneau · Jun 5, 2017

Run, don't walk, away from the Yankee tank.

Ruined my negs from overseas and I learned the hard way that tray, hangar or other methods are the way to go.

klaus3428 · Jun 5, 2017

Colin Corneau said:
Run, don't walk, away from the Yankee tank.

Ruined my negs from overseas and I learned the hard way that tray, hangar or other methods are the way to go.

Will bear it in mind - I am just aiming at pinhole images but still if this is a regular feature then sure I will consider the options. Attached is a "scan" of the original negative and the final image. I just used my DSLR to get the scan off the lighttablet, freehand as I don't have a copy stand.

Colin Corneau · Jun 5, 2017

Yup, classic Yankee tank ruination.

It doesn't circulate the chemistry sufficiently. I'm curious to learn more about this option: http://www.freestylephoto.biz/445100-SP-445-4x5-Developing-Tank-with-Two-Holders

But so far, I've only used a slosher tray in some 11x14 trays, as well as hangars in hard rubber tanks. Both ask me to be in complete darkness until the fixer is done but knock on wood (taps my own head) I've had no problems.

Mike Bates · Jun 5, 2017

I think everyone has tried a Yankee tank at some point. They're cheap and ubiquitous. I've heard of a few people that tolerate them, but nobody who actually likes them. I certainly didn't like using mine. I found it messy and prone to uneven development. I was like everyone else who thought I was buying it for a bargain. The truth is whatever I paid for it effectively adds to the cost of the next/real solution that I should have bought in the first place. It's still around here somewhere only because I can't bear to throw it away, but I'd never use it again.

The SP-445 is awesome for me. It's reasonably priced. The version-2 film holders are easy to load. I get even development of four sheets at a time in 475ml of chemistry. Give it a gentle squeeze before you tighten the cap and it doesn't leak at all on inversions.

klaus3428 · Jun 11, 2017

Still haven't given up on the 4x5 lark!
By chance I came across one of my less useful purchases, up til now. A Paterson Double Major II dev tank (image 1). Dates back to the 60s or early 70s - the price was written on in Pounds/Shilling/Pence! It's ok for developing two 120 roll films but will only do short 35mm films, i.e. 20 exposures. But with the pieces in the box I constructed a sort of of holder which keeps the 4x5 sheet in place and will allow me to process up to three sheets "taco hairband style" with just 600ml of developer (image 2).
Only thing missing is the top cap - I can probably find a rubber bung about 5cm diameter to keep the liquid contained during agitation. Don't remember how much I paid for it, never used it, but worth a try.

klaus3428 · Jun 19, 2017

klaus3428 said:
Only thing missing is the top cap - I can probably find a rubber bung about 5cm diameter to keep the liquid contained during agitation. Don't remember how much I paid for it, never used it, but worth a try.

I am persevering: now got a stopper so I can develop without splashes. A pipe plug from Screwfix (UK hardware merchant) costing £1.09 plus some insulation tape to pack the end of the plug to fit tightly into the tank opening. Just now waiting for cooler weather to go out with the box .. it's too hot ....

MattKing · Jun 19, 2017

Now that is an old developing tank!
I wonder how the age of that compares with my Kodak apron tanks?

klaus3428 · Jun 19, 2017

MattKing said:
Now that is an old developing tank!
I wonder how the age of that compares with my Kodak apron tanks?

The box still has the price label on showing pre-decimal £2/7s/6d so this is definitely 60s or very early 70s.

Adrian Bacon · Jun 19, 2017

klaus3428 said:
I'd like to do some pinhole photography using 4x5 sheet film.
Do you use special tanks? Have been reading about various options, trays, drum and dip tanks but don't really want to invest too much for the low amount of film I'll be shooting. And darkroom facilities not available ....

Like other posters, I use the Mod54 system with my Paterson tanks. Zero issues. I usually do 4 sheets at pop instead of the 6 sheet capacity though.

klaus3428 · Jun 25, 2017

I think I am on the way, with the tank shown above, very easy to work with, no splashing . Couple of pinholes done over the weekend, using Noon with FP4+ at ISO125 for 40 seconds, in Ilfosol3 for 8 minutes. Bit of scratching and other damage to emulsion which is down to my rough handling rather than anything else. Planning to do "scanning" with DSLR, have a copy stand coming in a few weeks so the picture is just freehand from the light table, not processed so far. Bit overexposed.

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