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Best tanks for rotary processing 135, 120, maybe 4x5 soon.

mweintraub

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I'm looking to trade in my stainless tanks and reels (do love them, though) for a good set of leakless tanks for rotary processing. I'm looking for multiple sizes as I vary in # of rolls (and a mix of film sizes) that I process at a time.

What are your thoughts. I've been eyeing the Paterson Super System 4. Thoughts? Am I right to think that the "Super" versions have the leak resistant lid that covers the whole thing?
 
A trick that I have used is to place a wide (1/2 inch or more) rubber band around where the SS top meets the tank proper. This stops any leaks and costs a lot less than replacing everything. Check with your local office supply for the bands.

BTW, even plastic tanks leak if not kept upright.
 

Thanks for the good idea. What about the rotating of the reels inside?
 
I remember somebody posting a few years ago, with pictures, that they put a stainless tank inside a largish-diameter pvc pipe, and put that on the rotating processor. He may have put rubber bands on the tank to grip the inside of the pipe.
 
I'm it worried about the tank not spinning. The reels inside might spin freely and not rotate with the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
mweintraub said:
I'm it worried about the tank not spinning. The reels inside might spin freely and not rotate with the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Can't help you there. That does sound like it could be a problem.
 
I rotatory process my film in stainless steel tanks with stainless steel reels. I have a besler motor base with a Patterson universal sitting on it. The stainless steel fits inside and is held at an angle. I use 175 ml of developer, but usually only process 1 roll at a time. Works great!

It doesn't have to get complicated. It may look ugly, but this is what I have used for the last 5 or so years......






If you cannot see clearly, the last photo shows the ss can easily fitting into the paterson with the ss take lid holding it at the outside edge. The angle is set to be able to use 175 ml of fluid wth without the cap on the ss tank.
 
Don't think Patterson will be leak proof, maybe if you tape around the lid with duct tape. The only tank made for rotary processing was the old Unicolor tanks, need to make sure you can find or make a replacement gasket for the end where the chemistry is added and drained. The other end is adjustable, has a locking system to adjust for the number of reels, I don't recall off the top of head how many 35mm or 120 reels it takes. I have an old tank, it is usable, a couple of years ago I replaced the gasket with material I found at an auto parts shop. For 4X5 I use an Bessler color paper tank, 2 at a time. When I shoot 4X5 I usually have 10 to 12 negatives so I use large tanks and hangers.
 
The patterson universal is only used to hold the ss tank in place and to better fit on the motor base.
 

I have a tall SS tank that fits on the rotary fine. I also have a coffee can thing that I can put the small tank on. But what about the SS reels inside? Do you worry about it freely spinning inside?



I have a Unicolor tank that ha the piston thingy to shorten / lengthen but the seal on the piston is busted. (That's what I get for new old stock!)
I haven't gone out to try to fix it, maybe I should just fix it and use it.
 
If it's rotary processing you want to do then you might as well "go the whole hog" and buy a Jobo processor. Certainly with a jobo tank on a rotary processor you need half the volume of liquid and that volume always stays below a level where it can possibly leak.

pentaxuser
 

I haven't found a working system that I can afford.

What's different from the Paterson / Unicolor tanks and the Jobo tanks if you only fill it up to less than the middle hole?
 
I have seen nothing that would indicate a problem. I often ask myself why I had not done it before. perhaps you are over-thinking it.
 
Jobo processors aren't cheap admittedly but it might be possible to get a hand-turned crank type of device and replicate the speed and back and forth turns of the Jobo processor. If I had to do all of that it would raise the question in my mind of what are the tangible benefits for the film's processing of hand-cranking a tank compared to simple inversion. I throw that in as a philosophical kind of question and what you wish to do is strictly your business but it just seems worth considering.

pentaxuser
 
I use a uniroller with a Jobo tank. It leaks a little now and then, but not much, and is easily handled by folding up a washcloth under it. Stainless tanks would be to small to fit on the wheels and would never turn.

Having thought about your concern of the stainless reels not turning, I don't think you have to worry. The reels should press down heavily enough against the tank and turn along with it. Mrred has it pretty well figured out.
 
mrred said:
I have seen nothing that would indicate a problem. I often ask myself why I had not done it before. perhaps you are over-thinking it.
Click to expand...

To be honest, I've processed a few times with the SS, but I don't want to get caught with half a roll not being processed. I want to make a more fool proof system without paying big bucks.... yet. I'm willing to go whole hawg eventually, but right now, I can't justify it.


I already have a rotary base, not sure what the hand crank one accomplish different.
 

I mix my reel formats (120 and 135) so the lid doesn't always press against the top reel to hold it in place. hm. Might figure out a way to rubberize the rim to keep it snug. =/
 
This past weekend, I was successful in dropping a Paterson reel loaded with medium format film into a Unicolor 8x10 print drum. I reduced the development time by about 20% and processed it in a roller base. Good even development. That said, there are a few kinks to work out in the process. My goal is to do two or even three rolls of 120 at a time.
 
mweintraub said:
I'm looking to trade in my stainless tanks and reels (do love them, though) for a good set of leakless tanks for rotary processing. I'm looking for multiple sizes as I vary in # of rolls (and a mix of film sizes) that I process at a time.
Click to expand...
You want a modular, versatile system that does not leak - Jobo 1500 system tanks. Want to use it on a motor base - 2500 system tanks.

mweintraub said:
What are your thoughts. I've been eyeing the Paterson Super System 4. Thoughts? Am I right to think that the "Super" versions have the leak resistant lid that covers the whole thing?
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as a leakless paterson tank.


Or get a processor and tanks. Its more then a PTP115, but it also gives you more.
 

What makes the 2500 more rotary friendly than the 1500? Doesn't the 1500 come available with a rotary cog lid?


Are Jobo tanks leakless? Or do you not see it because it's underwater?


I don't expect anything to be foolproof / leakless, just want something that won't spew everywhere.
 
I have used the Unicolor tank, it is nice when developing a large number of rolls at one time, but for just a few rolls, maybe less than 4 rolls of 35 or 2 rolls of 120 I don't see the advantage.
 
The biggest advantage would be consistency with little to no effort. It's a win.
 
I never experienced the reels spinning separately. There seems to be enough friction between the reels and the SS tank to keep them in place.
 
I doubt there would be an issue, even if they did.
 
mweintraub said:
I'm looking to trade in my stainless tanks and reels (do love them, though) for a good set of leakless tanks for rotary processing.
Click to expand...

Most rotary processing machines use dedicated tanks.
 
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