4x5 newbie tank questions

Someone loaned me a 4X5 camera and I'm just now starting to get it fired up. Yesterday I developed a couple sheets in trays and they came out all right. Although in the amount of time I was in my makeshift darkroom I noticed quite a few light leaks. So I'm thinking a daylight tank would be the best route. I've read some posts on here and think my best bet is to make one out of ABS. One question though, does the film just go on the side of the pipe? I don't quite get the picture from the diagrams. Also, I have a few cibachrome tanks lying around, could these be used? What are advantages/disadvantages to tray processing over tank processing oe vise versa.

Thanks,
John

Good Afternoon, John,

I believe that Cibachrome once supplied a small tube meant for just one 4 x 5 sheet. If you can find one, that would certainly do the job, except that doing one sheet at a time isn't a very efficient way to work. Standard Cibachrome drums (8 x 10 and up) are not, however, good choices for film processing, since they have no internal spacers and dividers to keep the individual sheets firmly in place. Unicolor, Chromega (my choice), and other color processing drums are practically being given away on E-Bay. They're virtually foolproof to use. A motor base is not essential, but makes things a lot easier. Cost (used) should be minimal.

Konical

Dear John,

If you're in the UK, a Paterson Orbital processor is even better. Unfortunately several people objected to my posting links to free information on my site as 'spamming' so I can't link you directly to the necessary information, and I am understandably reluctant to rewrite 1000 words + pics, so all I can suggest is that you buy one for yourself and re-invent the wheel.

Cheers,

Roger

Konical said:

Good Afternoon, John,

I believe that Cibachrome once supplied a small tube meant for just one 4 x 5 sheet. If you can find one, that would certainly do the job, except that doing one sheet at a time isn't a very efficient way to work. .........

Konical

Click to expand...

Hey, I got several of these, brand new. I was wondering if the would work for 4x5 sheet film.

Hi all,

Just a note from someone who tried to develop a roll of sheet film in a Cibachrome 4x5 drum. The end of the drum where the cylinder turns into the funnel is not really opaque. Good enough for paper but not film. If you try this I would suggest tape around this corner, or at least give it a few coats of paint. Of course, my drum may be the exception.

Neal Wydra