Crinkled Plastic 'ribbon' for 120/220 &70mm

eli griggs · Oct 6, 2020

Does anyone here know if this old method for developing film is still in use and suppliers whom still carry it.

I'd like to use this as a low cost 'reel' material as a way to develop 70mm film in long length.

I'll also post a wanted ad, just in case someone has what I need laying about.

Cheers.

MattKing · Oct 6, 2020

You are looking for the material used in a Kodak apron sized for 116 or 616 film.
I've been casually looking for one for years, with no success.
The 620/120 aprons are too narrow.
The instructions and boxes for the associated Kodak Developing Tanks reference the 116/616 aprons, but I've never seen one.

Donald Qualls · Oct 6, 2020

If you're good with tools, you could buy some heavy PVC sheet material long enough for your apron, cut to width, and emboss the crinkles with heat and a lasagna noodle roller...

eli griggs · Oct 6, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
If you're good with tools, you could buy some heavy PVC sheet material long enough for your apron, cut to width, and emboss the crinkles with heat and a lasagna noodle roller...

I have a pasta roller, which I used for polymer clays, and 'think' I have the correct form.

What do you and others here, think of using 70mm film itself for forming an apron?

Donald Qualls · Oct 6, 2020

I don't know any reason it wouldn't work. Give it a bath in Clorox to strip the gelatin off the plastic before you try crinkling it.

Kino · Oct 6, 2020

I don't think it would last too long and the film would be come brittle very quickly, but it's worth a try.

Donald Qualls · Oct 6, 2020

@Kino What makes you think the film will get brittle? I've shot and developed film from the early 1960s; film base (more so the modern versions) is pretty durable stuff.

Kino · Oct 6, 2020

If you continuously expose film base to alkaline and acid solutions, it will become brittle. That's why we don't use standard film for machine leader purposes. It is an extra thick polyester or acetate base and is replaced on a regular basis.

Even just sitting in a tank, it is constantly being stressed by alternating between acid and alkaline solutions.

Just process it once, or reprocess it twice, it will be fine, but use it over a long period of time and it will become brittle.

Edit: especially acetate!

Donald Qualls · Oct 6, 2020

Okay, I can see that. Polypropylene, ABS, or PVC would likely be better (I've got a couple homemade developing tanks built from ABS pipe) -- but the TAC, PET, or polyester that modern film comes on is better than no apron at all, and if you're playing with 70mm film, you presumably have access to that.

I wonder if you could get acrylic in long/thin enough pieces?

Paul Howell · Oct 14, 2020

Kino said:
If you continuously expose film base to alkaline and acid solutions, it will become brittle. That's why we don't use standard film for machine leader purposes. It is an extra thick polyester or acetate base and is replaced on a regular basis.

Even just sitting in a tank, it is constantly being stressed by alternating between acid and alkaline solutions.

Just process it once, or reprocess it twice, it will be fine, but use it over a long period of time and it will become brittle.

Edit: especially acetate!

What using T4 for fix?

eli griggs · Oct 15, 2020

If you had either a 5.5 wheel or 16 ft. straight-line mold, perhaps of plaster of Paris, you might try using flexible Fine Arts Pure Acrylic Medium, I would chose Golden Acrylics, to layer in, say a dozen times, the material to build up a base, followed with a painted non-pigmented colour of similar thickness, leaving room for another dozen layers of Medium.

That would give an apron or ribbon the correct lengths for a 70mm cassette, IMO.

While the Plaster of Paris molded wheel wheel would take considerably more time to build, the foot print would be quite a bit smaller, and the medium, if a fluid, as well as acrylic paint, could be sprayed in from an airgun, easy peize.

Latex will work also and you can paint in the material rather than spraying a thick semi-fluid.

Likewise, an epoxy that is also flexible enough for use when dry, should work, but I have no knowledge of any particular type.

IMO.

David A. Goldfarb · Oct 15, 2020

I recall seeing apron-style tanks from Freestyle in the past 15 years or so. I wasn’t particularly looking for them, but was surprised to find out they still existed. Maybe they have some old stock.

MattKing · Oct 15, 2020

David A. Goldfarb said:
I recall seeing apron-style tanks from Freestyle in the past 15 years or so. I wasn’t particularly looking for them, but was surprised to find out they still existed. Maybe they have some old stock.

I don't know that they ever had aprons that were the larger size necessary for 116/616/70mm. Kodak once did.

UnderwoodPhoto · Oct 21, 2020

I've found my reel of EK 70mm leader for the old Pakor processor. Here is an original Kodak 120 and one I just made using a soldering iron set at 600 deg. F. It takes about 5 seconds per bump. I'm open to part with some.

Kino · Oct 21, 2020

Very neat job! Well done.

neilt3 · Oct 27, 2020

Greg Davis said:
I know the person that makes the new 35mm aprons that are listed on eBay. He uses Teflon strips and has quite a setup to make the wavy edges.

Any chance if posting a link to one of his aprons ?
I've done a few searches , but being in the U.K it hasn't come up .
I've tried eBay .com and other designations as well , but no luck .
Thank you .

eli griggs · Nov 1, 2020

UnderwoodPhoto said:
View attachment 257612 View attachment 257613 View attachment 257614 View attachment 257616
I've found my reel of EK 70mm leader for the old Pakor processor. Here is an original Kodak 120 and one I just made using a soldering iron set at 600 deg. F. It takes about 5 seconds per bump. I'm open to part with some.

Very nice and good to know, thanks for sharing,.

I'm sure others will also appreciate your sharing this.

Please, PM me with your details on acquiring some of your ribbon, for 70mm for a 16 foot length, or shorter.

Eli

UnderwoodPhoto · Nov 3, 2020

eli griggs said:
Very nice and good to know, thanks for sharing,.

I'm sure others will also appreciate your sharing this.

Please, PM me with your details on acquiring some of your ribbon, for 70mm for a 16 foot length, or shorter.

Eli

I do not see any option to pm you Eli. My contact info on website underwoodfilmandcamera.com.

Fujicaman1957 · Nov 4, 2020

there are 2 of these "ribbons" on Goodwill's auction site right now.

Donald Qualls · Nov 4, 2020

Are they 116/70mm, or the regular 120?

UnderwoodPhoto · Dec 5, 2020

UnderwoodPhoto said:
View attachment 257612 View attachment 257613 View attachment 257614 View attachment 257616
I've found my reel of EK 70mm leader for the old Pakor processor. Here is an original Kodak 120 and one I just made using a soldering iron set at 600 deg. F. It takes about 5 seconds per bump. I'm open to part with some.

I have plenty. A roll of b&w 120 per 10 foot length, plus 5 bux shipping will get you un- crinkled 70mm leader. If you want pre-crinkled, pm me.

Crinkled Plastic 'ribbon' for 120/220 &70mm

eli griggs

MattKing

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Donald Qualls

eli griggs

Donald Qualls

Kino

Donald Qualls

Kino

Donald Qualls

Paul Howell

eli griggs

David A. Goldfarb

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MattKing

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UnderwoodPhoto

Kino

neilt3

eli griggs

UnderwoodPhoto

Fujicaman1957

Donald Qualls

UnderwoodPhoto

Crinkled Plastic 'ribbon' for 120/220 &70mm

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