Choice of developing tank

jonasfj · Mar 1, 2015

Hi friends,

I have been using a Patterson 2 reel tank for years. However, sometimes when I use diluted developer solution, I can only process one film at a time.

Therefore, I have decided to get a 3 or 5 reel tank.

I'm really happy about the quality and the design of the Patterson. I also like that it is really easy to load the reels. There's only one thing: It tends to leak a little during agitation and that is quite annoying.

Which tanks would you guys recommend? And why?

Best regards,

Jonas

Fixcinater · Mar 1, 2015

Paterson, just get the size you need and forget about the leak as APUGuser19 says.

SS reel loading and I do not get along.

jonasfj · Mar 1, 2015

APUGuser19,

Kodak recommend that a minimum of 8 oz D-76 stock solution is used per film. That means that at 1:1, I need 473ml solution per film. The same holds for a 1:19 solution of HC-110, where I need 400ml solution per film.

The max capacity of the 2 reel tank is 600ml. Thus, only one film at a time.

Groet,

Jonas

MattKing · Mar 1, 2015

There is only one "t" in Paterson .

Which version of the Paterson tanks are you using? The most recent version seems to leak less than older versions.

Always be sure to "burp" the lids.

I use the AP/Arista/Samigon reels with the wider flanges for 120 in the Paterson tanks.

For 35mm, I sometimes use Paterson, and sometimes use steel reels. I prefer steel reels for 35mm.

MartinP · Mar 1, 2015

I have two Paterson tanks and a Jobo. The Patersons don't leak and the Jobo dribbled a little bit until I replaced the lid - the Jobo was secondhand and had been heavily used. As mentioned above, be sure to 'burp' the Paterson lids like you would a sandwich box lid, and when inverting a large sized tank do keep a hand over the lid of course (in case the weight of the chemicals loosens the lid seal).

Sirius Glass · Mar 1, 2015

I like the stainless steel tanks with the Hewes reels for development when I do not want to or need to use the Jobo tank [color processing or 4"x5"]. Before I got the Jobo, the stainless steel tanks and Hewes reels were my go to choice. I could do one roll or several rolls with reels that were easy to use and consistent. One collection of reels, 135 and 120, and several sizes of tanks.

pentaxuser · Mar 1, 2015

jonasfj said:
APUGuser19,

Kodak recommend that a minimum of 8 oz D-76 stock solution is used per film. That means that at 1:1, I need 473ml solution per film. The same holds for a 1:19 solution of HC-110, where I need 400ml solution per film.

The max capacity of the 2 reel tank is 600ml. Thus, only one film at a time.

Groet,

Jonas

Try ID11 instead. It is reputedly the same stuff and as far as I know there is no such minimum quantity. If there was then in Jobo 135 film tanks (25Omls only) you could only do films with stock solution

I used to used ID11 at 1+1 with Jobo tanks so used 125mls of stock without a problem.

Are you sure about 237mls minimum of D76? Shouldn't it be Ilford going broke( not selling enough developer) and Kodak thriving if you need this much D76 for a film?

pentaxuser

MattKing · Mar 1, 2015

Ilford's data sheet indicates that one litre of stock ID11 has the capacity to develop 10 rolls of film provided that the developer is re-used, and the development time is increased by 10% each time another roll is developed. That procedure requires you to keep pouring back the used developer into the 1 litre bottle, and to keep increasing the time.

It may be that the results of that procedure would be equivalent (as to capacity) as using 125 ml diluted 1+1 for each roll.

cliveh · Mar 1, 2015

jonasfj said:
Hi friends,

I have been using a Patterson 2 reel tank for years. However, sometimes when I use diluted developer solution, I can only process one film at a time.

Therefore, I have decided to get a 3 or 5 reel tank.

I'm really happy about the quality and the design of the Patterson. I also like that it is really easy to load the reels. There's only one thing: It tends to leak a little during agitation and that is quite annoying.

Which tanks would you guys recommend? And why?

Best regards,

Jonas

There is nothing wrong with processing one film at a time in a single reel tank. Why get a 3 to 5 reel tank?

Sirius Glass · Mar 1, 2015

cliveh said:
There is nothing wrong with processing one film at a time in a single reel tank. Why get a 3 to 5 reel tank?

Because I sometimes process several rolls of 135 or 120 at a time.

AgX · Mar 1, 2015

You should consider Jobo too.

There are Long, religious-like discussions on the qualities of Jobo- or Paterson-style reels. And there are even two kinds of the smaller Jobo reels (I started even a thread on just this issue).
Jobo not only offer two diamaters of tanks, but moreover a modular system that can be taken over to their processors, in case you might want to use those in future.

MartinP · Mar 1, 2015

Why get a three or five reel tank?

The main reason is that it takes the same amount of time to process five rolls in a five reel tank as it does to process one roll in a single roll tank. If one is back from a trip or a shoot with dozens of rolls to process, especially using 120 with fewer exposures but probably more rolls, then this time saving is a great help. One downside with larger tanks may be that the preparation of the larger volumes of chemicals and tempered wash-water can be more awkward, but the saving in time usually makes it worth wrestling the larger jugs etc.

jonasfj · Mar 1, 2015

APUGuser19,

Check the Technical data sheet J-78 Oct 2002. Under Storage life and capacity, there is a table indicating that the capacity of D-76 1:1 is 8 rolls (135-36 or 120) per gallon, which is 16 oz or 473ml solution per roll. Thus, 8oz stock per film.

Best regards,

Jonas

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jonasfj · Mar 1, 2015

cliveh,

I agree, there is nothing wrong with developing one roll at a time and when you want to control the contrast in an individual roll it is a must.

However, last time I returned from a trip. I had 12 rolls that I wanted to develop to box speed in diluted solution.

I just don't have the time to do that.

BR,

Jonas

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jonasfj · Mar 1, 2015

APUGuser19,

Strange, I'm not saying you're wrong, but that's not how I interpret what I read.

In my sheet is says Useful Capacity Per Gallon (stock) = 16 rolls

1 Gallon = 128 oz

128 oz / 16 rolls = 8 oz/roll

It also says to extend the useful capacity when processing 2 rolls in 1:1 in a 16 oz tank, increase development time by about 10%.

Cheers,

Jonas

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bill Burk · Mar 1, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
Referencing the data sheet described, I do believe we have found the first typo I ever saw Kodak print. They are calling a liter a quart in that table. Read the little paragraph concerning 2-36 exp rolls in a 16oz tank, and do the math--4 oz per roll capacity. As far as using replenishment tables, this does not refer to capacity, as you are contaminating the gallon jug when you pour stock developer back into it That table merely states how many sheets you get before replenishment MUST be done, because of the contamination. Further, that table has a typo calling a gallon a liter.

I didn't see a typo calling a liter a quart. But I see the "gallon a liter" typo. Looks like a heading was intended to have the numbers "Gallon (3.8 Litre)" but the heading omits the numbers and shows "Gallon (Litre)". Everywhere else in the text I saw the number of ML or L is clearly specified... for example a little further... "3.8-litre (1-gallon)".

But regarding 2-36 exp rolls in a 16oz tank, you are correct APUGuser19 that it works out to 4 oz per roll. But also you are directed to give 10% more time. If you want the times in the chart to be relevant, then you are expected to use 8 oz per roll.

I have never yet used this "correct" 8oz amount of D-76 stock per roll when developing roll film. I always use the 4 oz per roll "because that's what fits the tank".

jonasfj... it is not necessary to use the correct 8oz amount... IF you adjust the developing times accordingly.

My developing times are always longer than the published times. I develop to contrast which I measure on test exposures. I recommend developing to measured contrast, and would be happy to contribute to threads discussing exactly how to do that.

Time and temperature tables have a long history of success, but there are a lot of rules to follow... If you don't follow the rules carefully, the times may not be the "right" times for "you". But you usually won't run into total failures, so don't worry. The main thing that might happen if you use "just" 4 oz per roll, is slightly less contrast in your negatives.

Bill Burk · Mar 2, 2015

APUGuser19 said:
Well, looks like I made a typo too. But I'm glad to know that using 4+4 in a Nikor 8oz tank for the last 43 years, I was doing fine. And can assure the OP not to fret it, and not to try to re-invent the way tanks have always been used. A 16oz 2-reel Nikor tank is 16oz, which is 8+8, and. Were it not so, a 16 oz Nikor tank would have been manufactured with a false bottom, for 1 reel use, and there would be no 8 oz tank at all.

If it weren't for APUG, we probably never would have pondered this fine point so long...

And I was supposed to develop film for the negative exchange tonight... Well there's always "staying up late"...

jonasfj · Mar 2, 2015

APUGuser19,

I've been developing 2 rolls in 1:1 in my 600ml tank for years, before I read the instruction and I agree with you, it's not possible to tell the difference. However, I'm trying to get more consistent in several ways, so I'm thinking it is a good thing (for me) to start following the recommendation.

Well, main thing is to have fun!

Cheers,

Jonas

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sagai · Mar 2, 2015

jonasfj said:
Hi friends,

I have been using a Patterson 2 reel tank for years. However, sometimes when I use diluted developer solution, I can only process one film at a time.

Therefore, I have decided to get a 3 or 5 reel tank.

I'm really happy about the quality and the design of the Patterson. I also like that it is really easy to load the reels. There's only one thing: It tends to leak a little during agitation and that is quite annoying.

Which tanks would you guys recommend? And why?

Best regards,

Jonas

[emoji2]
No worries, mine does not have the top cover plastic cup at all. I use it with no problem.
Plastic gloves actually give some confidence, I use all time those.

mauro35 · Mar 2, 2015

I use the Paterson developing tank. It does not leak at all, not a single drop, provided that I burp it after pouring the chemicals in (press the plastic lid in the middle while opening one corner of it slightly to expel trapped air). If I do not burp the tank, 50 to 80 mL of developer will leak out in 10 agitation cycles.

Choice of developing tank

jonasfj

Fixcinater

jonasfj

MattKing

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MartinP

Sirius Glass

pentaxuser

MattKing

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cliveh

Sirius Glass

AgX

MartinP

jonasfj

jonasfj

jonasfj

Bill Burk

Bill Burk

jonasfj

sagai

mauro35

Choice of developing tank

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