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


1500 tanks are too small in diameter for most roller bases, but some will work.
All tanks can be fitted with a regular lid (inversion style) or with a cog lid (for use with a Jobo lift).
All Jobo tanks are leak free. If your lid leaks it needs replacing.
 

My 1500 tank fits my base fine. You are right, the tank lid if all the square teeth are there is leak free and any leak on inversion is due to to how worn and loose the red top is. If the tank leaks a new red top should cure the problem

pentaxuser
 
I sometimes use this setup with my tanks for stainless steel reels or my AP plastic reel tanks.

The clear plastic container was about $5.00 at the Dollar store. It can be hard to find one big enough, with straight sides.

You definitely hear the steel reels moving around.
 

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No. Those gray lids are all cracked now. You going into the photolab business? It was leak resistant 40 years ago maybe, but not now. Want my Paterson System 4 junk? Send me a self-addressed stamped box.

The Super System 4 tanks are much newer than the ones with gray lids.
 
In my post above I should have said my 1510 tank not 1500 but it is part of the 1500 series

pentaxuser
 

You've posted this before, haven't you? It sure looks like the picture I was thinking of.
 
No. Those gray lids are all cracked now. You going into the photolab business? It was leak resistant 40 years ago maybe, but not now. Want my Paterson System 4 junk? Send me a self-addressed stamped box.

No, why would you ask if I'm starting a lab business? Whatcha have in the Paterson system?



I use something similar but it's not clear. I like the idea with the rubber bands.

Question: I have the same base, do you turn the container around to change direction? That's what I've been doing.
 

I have posted the photo before.

My roller base is one of the reversing ones. But I do turn the container a couple of times, to help deal with any issues if the resulting system isn't completely level.

I tend to use this now only when I'm developing a lot of 35mm film. I prefer steel reels with 35mm, and the plastic AP reels in the Paterson Super System 4 tanks (that take two 120 reels) for 120 film. Those Paterson tanks work directly (with rubber band) on the motor base, without the plastic bin.

You need the rubber lids for the steel reel tanks - the steel lids leak or come loose.

If you are using this, a dish draining tray underneath helps protect your counters.
 

Is that a Unicolor or Beseler base? I have the Beseler base. Mine doesn't reverse.

I would like to shoot more, so having a good system for processing will encourage that. I have a Paterson System 4 (non super) tank that I need to try it. Might do it with some MP film I shot as a test.
 

It is a Beseler base.

I don't know whether the older Paterson tanks are as easy to get level on a rotary base.
 
I was thinking of getting some foam to go around the tank to make it level.

It's worked out for me to make it not level. At about a 30 degree angle keeps the developer in the container without using the cap. If you seal up the drum (like c41), the gasses will pop the lid off.

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