4x5 Developing

JADoss23 · May 15, 2018

Hi,

I was curious what people have found to be the most effective and convenient way to develop 4x5 sheet film. I currently use the tray method but have been looking at the SP-445 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. Are there any other methods that people think are even better like MOD45 or any other tanks? thanks!

TonyB65 · May 15, 2018

JADoss23 said:
Hi,

I was curious what people have found to be the most effective and convenient way to develop 4x5 sheet film. I currently use the tray method but have been looking at the SP-445 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. Are there any other methods that people think are even better like MOD45 or any other tanks? thanks!

I use the "Taco" method in Patterson tanks, I can fit 3 sheets in a tank, it works well as long as you don't leave the sheet in a Taco shape undeveloped for too long (24hrs+), which just means you have to spend time straightening it out when it's dry, which is easy enough, just an annoyance really.

Konical · May 15, 2018

Good Morning, JA,

My favorite method, by far, is rotary processing. Four sheets in an 8 x 10 drum (Chromega or Unicolor) require minimal quantities of solution, can be done in room light, and should result in very even development. Just be sure than any splines and/or spacers are included with a drum to keep the individual sheets separated.

I have also used the SP-445 tank with excellent results. It's not hard to load, but the solution amounts are greater.

Konical

Doremus Scudder · May 15, 2018

Which development method you choose depends on a number of factors, e.g., volume, dexterity, etc.

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool tray developer. I find it the most economical, flexible and simple method for me. If I were shooting lots more (e.g., in commercial quantities) I'd likely look into tanks and hangers or even nitrogen burst lines, but for my present throughput, trays work just fine.

Many find tray developing challenging; they fumble around and scratch film. I'm dexterous enough that I can shuffle up to eight 4x5 sheets at a time in a tray (I prefer six, though). I haven't scratched a sheet in several years now. However, if tray developing is bothersome, other preferred methods are tanks and rotary processors like the Jobo. These are especially good if working in a dark environment is difficult for one reason or another. The SP-445 tank isn't necessarily an upgrade as far as volume goes, but it may be easier than tray processing for some. If, however, you are comfortable with trays and can shuffle several sheets at a time, I don't think you'll find much of an advantage to switching.

Best,

Doremus

howardpan · May 15, 2018

I use the Mod 45 device (Dead Link Removed) which fits inside a Paterson tank to develop up to 6 sheets at a time. I have also used the Jobo tank before (http://www.jobo-usa.com/jobo-analog-products/tank-system-2500). Both work well.

Luckless · May 15, 2018

I've been using a Mod 45 and Paterson tank that I have been very happy to work with, but I have also been looking into other options that would offer some more flexibility. The six sheets at a time thing is 'not ideal' if I don't happen to be shooting six sheets at a time which all need the same development. I'm still not sure what direction to head, but I am suspecting it is going to be a slowly growing collection of containers.

Alan9940 · May 15, 2018

Like Doremus, the method I use to develop 4x5 film depends mainly on the process and if I need precise temperature control. If the former, I use a B&W King stainless steel tank (very similar to the old Nikkor 4x5 tank), the SP-445, and some homemade tanks when doing EMA (extreme minimal agitation) with Pyro. If I need more precise temp control, I use an Expert Drum on my CPP-2.

ic-racer · May 15, 2018

Once I went from trays to the Jobo 3010 tank I have never gone back.

Sirius Glass · May 15, 2018

ic-racer said:
Once I went from trays to the Jobo 3010 tank I have never gone back.

Me too!

I tried trays but scratched film, sheets stuck together and were ruined, and I was not happy with it.
I found that the Yankee tank sloshed chemical out when I agitated.
I never tried the taco method because it had not come out.
I was pointed to the Jobo 3010 Expert Drum and never looked back. It was expensive but it more than paid for itself with consist good results.

Paul Howell · May 15, 2018

I use deep thanks with hangers, have a set of tanks that use a quart and take up to 4 hangers, and 1/2 gallon that takes up to 8 hangers, for just a few sheets 5X7 trays.

jimjm · May 15, 2018

BTZS tubes for 4x5 and my own homemade tubes for 5x7 (very inexpensive to make). Once loaded, all processing steps are done in room light or dim safelight. I've never had any inconsistent or uneven development and they use very small volumes of developer.

Doc W · May 15, 2018

I envy those who use trays and have a darkroom with some level of climate control. I am a musician and would like to think I have good dexterity but after scratching film too many times, I had to go to the "one at a time" method in trays. Very time-consuming. Also, the temperature in my basement darkroom varies widely by season and it is hard to get it to settle down to 20C. So I finally broke down and got a Jobo. It was expensive but it makes my life so much easier. I don't get scratches and I don't have to worry about the unstable darkroom temperature.

BradS · May 15, 2018

Jobo 3006 drum turned by a slightly modified motorized roller base (I don't remember the brand...Beseler? or "color" something?)

Nodda Duma · May 15, 2018

SP-445 because it only uses 16oz of fluid for 4 sheets. A nice side bonus turned to be that it is the only 4x5 developing tank that could accommodate glass plates as well.

Neal · May 15, 2018

Rotary processing with the Jobo 25XX tanks is a beautiful thing. With the one tank (I forget the number) I can do 12 sheets at a time. I have a smaller tank that I use if I need 6 or less but I use it even if I only have one sheet to develop.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

removed account4 · May 15, 2018

either 5x7 or 8x10 trays depending on how many sheets i process at once
i sometimes do between 30 and 40 .. if i "stand" develop i use FR tanks

MegoApesNut · May 16, 2018

I was lucky to get a Jobo unit with a darkroom setup that my mom's neighbor asked me to unload for him when he and his wife decided to head to a retirement home. I will never develop 4x5 any other way. It produces the best looking negs I have ever seen.

Old_Dick · May 16, 2018

Here is a BTZS video. . Mine are homemade and work for me.

mrosenlof · May 16, 2018

http://www.davidkachel.com/assets/trayproc.htm

I've used this method for 20+ years. I use a two step fix with the first step in the tube and the second step with each film in its own tray. I have found that some films (Namely TMX, but maybe other Kodak films too) need a few minutes in an alkalai solution to remove all of the anti-halation dye from the back of the film. I use developer one shot, and use the dev I'm about to dispose of to remove the AH dye after the second fix.

RalphLambrecht · May 16, 2018

JADoss23 said:
Hi,

I was curious what people have found to be the most effective and convenient way to develop 4x5 sheet film. I currently use the tray method but have been looking at the SP-445 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. Are there any other methods that people think are even better like MOD45 or any other tanks? thanks!

I process them in a Jobo tank without issues.

awty · May 16, 2018

The SP-445 works fine, easy to load once you practice a few times and it works. Only down side I have found is that it often leaks (even if you squeeze the tank before putting the caps on), not much, just need to use it over a sink, also some times loosens the emulation along the edge of the film, (need to wash the film well).
I use a rotary drum roller for 8x10 and they work well to.

btaylor · May 16, 2018

I like my Combi Plan 4x5 daylight tank. Up to 6 sheets. Find them on eBay.

KenS · May 17, 2018

JADoss23 said:
Hi,

"I was curious what people have found to be the most effective and convenient way to develop 4x5 sheet film. I currently use the tray method but have been looking at the SP-445 and curious if it's worth the upgrade. Are there any other methods that people think are even better like MOD45 or any other tanks? thanks!

"

After many years of either the 'hangers in tank' or tray processing of both 4x5 and 8x10, I decided to try home-made 'tube' processing in home made tubes.. a 'method' I found to be both 'easier' and more satisfactory.
I acquired 'real' BTZS tubes for use in a "Tupperware" tub to be easier with less 'bobbing around'

I would be less than happy to have to return to tank or tray processing with my much preferred developer of choice. (Pyrocat HD)

Ken

Doremus Scudder · May 20, 2018

Just watched the Fred Newman video on BTZS tubes. Seems like they would work just fine. However, by the time he got six sheets loaded into the tubes, I'd be more than halfway through my development of six sheets in trays... I guess tubes and rotary processors are just fine and deliver good results, especially for those that aren't dexterous enough not to scratch negatives or don't have access to a real darkroom, but I'll stick with trays for the time being. Simple, flexible and effective. I unload, and start processing; no reloading into hangers, tubes or tanks. Water presoak 3 min, dev. 9 min. (my N for TXP in PMK), stop 1 min, fix 5+ min (yeah, I fix longer on purpose). I'm putting six sheets in the washer after 18 minutes total.

Best,

Doremus

Marco Gilardetti · May 24, 2018

btaylor said:
I like my Combi Plan 4x5 daylight tank. Up to 6 sheets. Find them on eBay.

I also use the Combi Plan 4x5. Takes 6 film sheets or 6 glass plates, useful for those who experiment with techniques of the past. I find especially convenient how the sheets can be hanged to dry all together, without removing them from the rack.

4x5 Developing

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