B+W 5x4 film developing kit recommendation

sperera · Mar 11, 2009

i know its quite an ask but could any of you nice people put together a list of items I will need (along with links 'cos wont know where to buy them!) to be able to process 5 x 4 black n white films in the most efficient manner.

its been so long since Ive done this that there could well be some sort of kit that makes life easier for those of us without a dedicated darkroom.

I have measuring cylinders, thermometers and timers and stuff.....what im after is the equivalent to the 35mm spools and stuff that you place the film in to put it inside the chemicals.....

I'm okay with the chemicals side...its recommendations for a kit to get it done in the bathroom for example.....

The Combi Plan T 4x5 Processing Tank with Lid comes up on my list.....basically i dont see myself doing more than about 10 (at the very very most) 5 x 4 film sheets per session.....it could even be like 4 or 5 at a time only

Neal · Mar 11, 2009

Dear sperera,

If you can deal with the cost of a Jobo system, I think it is the nicest way to go. Expert drums are not necessary to get great results with 4x5. I have two different size tanks and I have done as little as 1 sheet and as many as 12 at a time.

Neal Wydra

Martin Aislabie · Mar 11, 2009

Sperera, without a Darkroom is a little more tricky....

You will have to load the tank inside a changing bag or changing tent

I use a Harrison Changing Tent to load and unload film into darkslides - http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=662

A Combiplan Tank is proably the cheapest option - http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=241

However, if you are used to 35mm spools you might be more at home with the Jobo tank systems.

There are a couple of options - a smaller 6 sheet 2521 tank - http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1818 - or the larger (and more expensive) Expert Tank - http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1592

Both work well with a Roller Base - http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=2587

A few sheets of B&W is fine with a manual roller base - but manually keeping the tank turning gets tedious if you are doing large quanities and hence people invest in motorised drives

You can always check E-Bay for stuff like this

Good luck

Martin

David William White · Mar 11, 2009

In the K.I.S.S. corner:

If you're only doing 4 sheets a week or so, just process in trays in the bathroom. Black poly over the window ($2), a stopwatch, and 15 minutes is all you need. Beats fiddling with tanks in a changing bag and all that.

Tom Stanworth · Mar 12, 2009

combi plan tank is the way to go if you ask me. Problem with constant agitatation is is that you cant vary agitation in the same way. The combi tank uses a lot of chemistry though. A paterson orbital allows four 5x4 sheets to be done at a time with about 250ml chemistry rather than 5 x times this in the combiplan. You can pick up an orbital with motor base on ebay if you are lucky. Constant agitation does mean you can just relax while the motor does the work.

nuckabean · Mar 12, 2009

Not to hijack your thread, but does anyone have an Orbital they'd be willing to part with?

Also, I've processed my negatives in a large square tank so far that you can use in daylight. I don't have the name but I wouldn't recommend it, I've gotten very inconsistent results.

Adrian Twiss · Mar 12, 2009

Tom Stanworth said:
combi plan tank is the way to go if you ask me. Problem with constant agitatation is is that you cant vary agitation in the same way. The combi tank uses a lot of chemistry though. A paterson orbital allows four 5x4 sheets to be done at a time with about 250ml chemistry rather than 5 x times this in the combiplan. You can pick up an orbital with motor base on ebay if you are lucky. Constant agitation does mean you can just relax while the motor does the work.

The combiplan, for the money, is a very convenient way to process sheet film. My only issue with it is that I have never managed to use one without it leaking (probably about 30ml on each chemical cycle). fill and drain times are about 30 seconds. The makers suggest only loading 4 sheets when processing particularly valuable negatives. The two centre slots should not be used in case the sheets touch each other.

Soeren · Mar 12, 2009

I had an Orbital but lost it If I still had it I wouldn't part with it
The Orbital is a quite good 4 sheet 4X5, 2 sheet 5X7 or single sheet 8X10 low volume tank. You can use as little as 100ml dev/fix. They seem a bit scarce right now so I'm in the market for another dev-tank system for 9X12, 4X5" and 13X18 cm.
Will those Jobo drums take 9X12 as well as 4X5"?
Kind regards

sperera · Mar 12, 2009

thanks for all your comments!!!!!!

B+W 5x4 film developing kit recommendation

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