Anyone else processing APHS in a PVC Tube?

Hello

I'm using diluted HC-110 (1:11 from stock) to process APHS lith film to make large contact negatives from Scala negatives. Initially I used a tray for developing from which I was getting a good negative (for Alternative Processes) but the tray also led to uneven development (higher density around edges). I recently came accross a thread by Sandy King in which he processes ULF in PVC tubes:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

This seemed to be the answer to my problem. I got myself a 4" pvc tube and a narrow tank (which takes 11 litres of developer to cover the tube!). However, after experimenting with several different types of agitation, I am still getting some bromide streaks and slightly increased contrast. At this point I am gently lifting the end of tank once a minute (to move fresh developer down the tube) and rolling the tube very slowly between lifts. Using tray development, I was using steady but very gentle agitation.

I am wondering if it's possible to get good results with tube developement with a film such as APHS, as it needs such a dilute developer? Perhaps I just need to keep experimenting with the agitation or dilute the HC-110 further? I'm really close to getting good negs from the HC-110 and would really like to just fine tune this process rather than have to try another developer.

thanks for any suggestions.
davido

A couple of years ago I experimented with some Arista Ortho Litho, a previous film to the APHS they sell now. I also got uneven development with dark edges when using trays. I switched to a Devtech drum system that I bought for making color prints. The results were better, but I was getting "pin striped skies", which may have been a characteristic of the emulsion. I was using the film to make negatives in an 8X10 view camera, a different application from yours. Then I went back to trays, but used a Rubbermaid "Servin' Saver" food storage container that has very high sides. This allowed me to tip the tray to a 45 degree angle and really get the developer sloshing. My routine was to tip a different side every 15 seconds or so. Uneven development gone. I eventually gave up on the Ortho Litho for making negatives and bought some regular B/W negative sheet film for the view camera. I kept using the Rubbermaid trays, and have been very satisfied with them. I guess this is not what you want to hear after you went to all the trouble to build the tube setup. Maybe someone with more experience than me can help you get the most out of the tube.

Thanks desertrat. The idea of using a rotary processor crossed my mind; however, it's my understanding that they would rotate too quickly for this process, which would lead to further bromide streaks. With tube processing the negative is always in developer as well.
If the tube doesn't work out, and I have to go back to tray processing, then I'll explore some of your ideas. A larger tray is a must and I like your comment about 'tip(ing) a different side every 15 seconds or so. . .'. My agitation routine consisted of only one side, but perhaps using all side would at least cut down on the film edge density problem.
Another great thing about tube processing is the chemisty has less surface area and therefore keeps to a constant temp better (especially when your darkroom is never actually 68º!!).

david

I have a couple of pages at my web site where I talk about APHS developed for continuous tone.

Formula is here.

And some other shots recently are Dead Link Removed

I used to always develop with a red lamp on in a tray by inspection, but the Rodinal formula is working so well I just put the stuff in a JOBO and do 5 at a time.

I use APHS frequently for both in camera exposures and enlarging negatives.
I had a similar problem with dark edges until I went to a bigger, deeper tray which allows the film to move a little bit. I now use an 11x4 tray for 8x10 film and have no problems with streaking or dark edges.

Question for APHS users, do you sometimes get uneven density in areas of blank sky? If so, how do you deal with it?

TIA

thanks for your replies guys.

Jim, could you please explain your process a little further. What type of developer do you use and at what dilution? How much developer do you use? Also, do you agitate from all four sides and do you use constant agitation. I am asking because I have been processing 8x10's in a 11x14 tray with 1 litre of developer. But, I have only been lifting one side of the tray for agitation, which I'm thinking might be causing the uneven edge density?

I have run across your site recently jimgalli and your developer recipe sounds really interesting; something to look at in the future.

Desertrat, getting uneven density in blank skies is helpful for me, in that it means that I haven't developed quite long enough to reach full density.

It's really great to hear from others who use APHS lith, sometimes I get the feeling that I'm the only one not digitally printing my negatives on transparency film.

david