I have a Nova Trimate, and love it. I'd like to be able to have both color and b/w chems mixed at any given time, and I can't afford a second Nova. I'm imagining in my head some kind of sealable, veritcal Tupperware thing that would hold an 11x14 print, and wouldn't have a big footprint. Does it exist? I haven't found anything.
Containers for Vertical Print Processing (Poor Man's Slot Processor)
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There are 1 gallon tanks like that. There are some that are even smaller.
IDK where to get them today.
PE
IDK where to get them today.
PE
The problem is getting something narrow enough so that the solution volumes are manageable. Also, the sides need to be rigid to resist the stress of the solution pushing out the sides. Unfortunately, you need something like heavy acrylic which then gets expensive and requires some skill. In the end, you buy another Trimate!
For B&W, consider single tray processing. That is what I do and it works great. I sold my Jobo 16x20 Quad.
For B&W, consider single tray processing. That is what I do and it works great. I sold my Jobo 16x20 Quad.
Tray processing (single or otherwise) won't work for me due to space limitations, lack of a sink, and unwillingness to pour chems in and out between sessions, or in the case of single tray, between each step. The Trimate spoiled me! I don't have to mix chems until they are exhausted, as the dowel rods on top of the slots keep the air out. I cannot for the life of me understand why the slot setup is not the standard, and why I can't walk into B&H and buy a vertical tray with lid for $20. It's just so obvious! Why are these not mass-produced?
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- Aug 21, 2009
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I second that! I just got a Jobo drum with insert that can take 20x24" sheets, but these vertical trays would be perfect for smaller prints.
I'll Tell You Why
MOST darkroom workers DO have space for 3 or 4 trays, DO
have a sink, and ARE willing to save or dump chemistry. Also
there is less reason to keep the same chemistry till exhausted.
I have space limitations but do have a sink so single tray one
-shot processing works well for me. The chemistry can change
from one print to the next. It is used very dilute.
I would need 7 trays or slots to duplicate what I am doing
with 1. I've fresh chemistry and water each print. I do use
a second tray for hold & soak. Dan
MOST darkroom workers DO have space for 3 or 4 trays, DO
have a sink, and ARE willing to save or dump chemistry. Also
there is less reason to keep the same chemistry till exhausted.
I have space limitations but do have a sink so single tray one
-shot processing works well for me. The chemistry can change
from one print to the next. It is used very dilute.
I would need 7 trays or slots to duplicate what I am doing
with 1. I've fresh chemistry and water each print. I do use
a second tray for hold & soak. Dan
What about Kodak Stainless tanks for 8X10? I don't remember them being more than 4-5" wide. The hangers themselves don't have a lot of value on the used market, usually in a a dealers "please take this crap of my hands" bin.
I print 11x14, and would like the option of 16x20, ideally.
buy a fishtank, and some clear acrylic 3/8" from a glazier. go to the hardward store, buy some clear waterproof caulk, and make your own slot processor.
craigslist for the fish tank, and maybe another $70-80 for the acrylic and caulk/caulk gun.
easy peasy
-Dan
craigslist for the fish tank, and maybe another $70-80 for the acrylic and caulk/caulk gun.
easy peasy
-Dan
I thought about that, but I don't know anything about this stuff. What kind of caulk would make a watertight seal?
I'm not sure of the name, since you're in NY and I'm in LA, there might be a difference in kinds/brands available.
something like this: meant for aquariums, should be able to bond glass to acrylic
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1419409&CAWELAID=109354543
-Dan
something like this: meant for aquariums, should be able to bond glass to acrylic
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1419409&CAWELAID=109354543
-Dan
I'm not so sure about how easy that would be. Slot processors must have drains to empty the slots, ideally a drain for each slot. Trying to lift an aquarium large enough for 16x20 prints that is full of water is inadvisable.
Hey Jerold,
the OP has stated that he doesn't have access to a sink in his "darkroom", so he could technically have the "slot processor" on a rolling cart, if he wanted.
but yes, if he wants to print 16x20, this could be a problem, well probably more than one.
1. he has stated that due to living in NY, he has cramped quarters. this is understandable, unless you're a Trump family member. but he has stated he wants to print 16x20?
if he doesn't have that much space for a darkroom, or at least easy access to a sink, where is he going to store 16x20 prints?
2. I've never been to NYC, but I've heard from friends that the dumpsters there are a literal goldmine for those willing to search. If you find the right ones that is
. So furnishing a fishtank shouldn't be THAT hard, especially now with craigslist, ebay and Kijiji(another craigslist) at his disposal.3. IDEALLY, having a drain for each slot is nice, but definitely NOT necessary. Buy a plug-into-the-wall 115v waterproof pump, and just wash it out between chemical changes. Shouldn't be any problems with that.
Just go to Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware, and ask to see their plug-in water pumps.
I'm not trying to argue, just asking the OP to maybe use his noggin a bit more than I've personally seen, or read here so far.
I'm not a book-smart guy, but investing $100 to build your own slot processor is a nice weekend project. IF he really wants to print THAT BADLY in his little NYC apartment.
just my humble $.02
-Dan
Good points.
New York City real estate makes it a bit difficult
Some of us manage tray development
in closets in New York City. We sell
our slot processors to the, um, less
imaginative. ;-) :::::ducking:::::
If you have a bathtub; make a deck for your 16 x 20 trays. For washing drop prints into the bathtub. Worked very well for me for about 10 years.
Have one made? Fabrication of SS isn't hard if you have the know how. There has to be someone in NY with the skill. $$$$?
The man that made the sinks & washers for Darkroom Aids lives in Michigan. Helix, in Chicago was still selling his washers 2-3 yrs ago.
The man that made the sinks & washers for Darkroom Aids lives in Michigan. Helix, in Chicago was still selling his washers 2-3 yrs ago.
Oh come on now....asking if there already exists a container that does what I need is not not using my noggin. I have more projects than I need.
I could do trays in my bedroom darkroom if I really had to, but the whole point is to not pour chemistry every time. With the Nova, I can uncover and whip out a couple of prints with no setup or clean up time. Like I said, it spoiled me!
I guess the conclusion here is that no, what I'm looking for does not exist outside of the Novas.
It's not that simple. The Nova processors use a
textured plastic surface for the tank walls -- the
texture is important to keep the paper from sticking
to the walls. A SS tank with smooth walls would
not work so well.
Chris: I went down this same line of questions in
my head, and hunted around for a homemade fix,
and never came up with an acceptable DIY solution
-- which is why I bought the Nova in the first place.
If you can come up with a DIY version that works,
please post your solution here for us.
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