Developing 4x5 - 4 at a time.

ashokgoyal42 · Jan 25, 2011

What would be the most convenient way to develop 4 films of 4by5 at one go? I don't like HP Combi, and I don't have access to a jobo system and I'm still obsessed about developing the film myself. I find processing rolls easy and the results are always better than labs. Struggling with formulating a work flow for 4by5...For color film.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 25, 2011

Tray development is an alternative. You'll have to do it in the dark. Two ways of developing in trays I'm aware of. First method is shuffling them in open trays and the second is to load them in sheet film hangers then put them into trays. Shuffling them can cause scratches if you're not careful. When I process 4x5 film in trays, I process them emulsion down. You will have to put your fingers in the soup though.

Take a look at these hangers on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Stainless-Film-...745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf49266b1

Processing them with hangers with emulsion side up.

The advantage of processing them in trays is that you use less chemicals than tanks. I'm sure another APUGer will have other smart ways.

Good luck!

frobozz · Jan 25, 2011

I'm a big fan of the Nikor cut-film reel and tank. Can hold up to 12 4x5's and works just like the stainless tanks you already know and love, only a bit bigger.

Duncan

vyshemirsky · Jan 25, 2011

I am using the taco method with Paterson 3-reel tank. Works like magic for me.
I am using constant agitation (simulating Jobo processor with my hands) and therefore only 350ml of solution is needed for 4 sheets.

Steve Smith · Jan 25, 2011

Paterson Orbital: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how orbital.html

Steve.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 25, 2011

Wow they're cool

Steve Smith said:
Paterson Orbital: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how orbital.html

Steve.

I've never seen one before. Are they still available?

Q.G. · Jan 25, 2011

How about the thing that got a rather enthusiastic reception (there was a url link here which no longer exists)?

daleeman · Jan 25, 2011

I have been using the guts of a HP Combi (film holder part) and using tupperware tubs filled with chems and do like a dip and dunk in the dark until I finish the fix. My darkroom is the spare bathroom, so until I do a temp sink/table or some realistic darkrrom I am leaning over the tub.

Rick A · Jan 25, 2011

I'm also a fan of the taco method. I use an AP brand two reel tank, its the same as an Arista brand. I have been able to do six films at one time, but prefer four. I've never been able to use the Paterson two reel tank, not tall enough inside once the upper baffle is inserted.

Thingy · Jan 25, 2011

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I've never seen one before. Are they still available?

They are no longer made but I bought one last year on ebay, with the motor, and love it! I use my Harrison tent to load it then do the rest in daylight. It's excellent for B&W developing but for colour you would really need a thermostatically controlled drum outfit like the Jobo.

You can develop up to 4 sheets of 5x4 sheet film in the Orbital, or two sheets of 5x7.

ashokgoyal42 · Jan 25, 2011

Friends I should have clarified that I want to develop color 4x5 - I'm good with bw.

holmburgers · Jan 25, 2011

Tray is hard to beat if you don't want or don't have a lot of equipment. The MOD Photographic 4x5" processor looks awesome as well, but kind of expensive.

Deep tanks just use too much liquid, 1900mL in the case of my SS tanks. I'm only gonna do that for reversal processing where I don't want to be putting my fingers in sulfuric acid.

But, the small tank methods, taco, etc., seem like "the wave of the future".

ashokgoyal42 · Jan 25, 2011

Can I get a link to taco?

ashokgoyal42 · Jan 25, 2011

Ok figured out taco, hmmm interesting.

ashokgoyal42 · Jan 25, 2011

Just checked out Mod photographic sheet film insert - seems to be a good innovation.

rjbuzzclick · Jan 25, 2011

I use a beseler color drum on a motor base. It hold 4 4x5's and only uses 200ml of chemstry.

Rick A · Jan 25, 2011

When using the taco method, cloth covered hair bands work best, rubber bands sometimes leave an unfixed stripe on the back of the negative.

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 25, 2011

Thingy said:
They are no longer made but I bought one last year on ebay, with the motor, and love it! I use my Harrison tent to load it then do the rest in daylight. It's excellent for B&W developing but for colour you would really need a thermostatically controlled drum outfit like the Jobo.

You can develop up to 4 sheets of 5x4 sheet film in the Orbital, or two sheets of 5x7.

You lucky devil

hpulley · Jan 25, 2011

Paterson 3 tank would be 1L of solution which you can reuse anyways so it doesn't matter how much you put in it for C41. I'm not shootint 4x5 (yet, maybe one day) but taco in that tank sounds like what I'd so as I find the plastic Paterson tanks hold the heated C41 solutions at temperature very well, with or without a water bath (I tried the last one without, started at 42C instead of the usual 39C in a bath).

heespharm · Jan 25, 2011

Is the unicolor paper tank and roller system good for color?

Rick A · Jan 25, 2011

heespharm said:
Is the unicolor paper tank and roller system good for color?

Thats a resounding yes.

thicktheo · Jan 25, 2011

ralnphot said:
When using the taco method, cloth covered hair bands work best, rubber bands sometimes leave an unfixed stripe on the back of the negative.

...or you can just fix for extra time, to remove the unfixed stripe.

On my taco-style b/w 4x5s, I just fix for 20-30 mins and I never get any unfixed stripes.

On the color stuff, the one time I did get stripes, I just re-blixed for an extra 10 minutes in a tray and the stripe disappeared.

All in all, taco-style is good enough as a quick'n'dirty solution.

heespharm · Jan 25, 2011

ralnphot said:
Thats a resounding yes.

Does the temperature hold?? When I use a patterson I keep it in a water bath to maintain temp, but the unicolor is in open air.... Does it lose temp over the dev time??? Or is it negligible

CuS · Jan 25, 2011

Here's my method . . .

I use a 2x2 hanger that I cut the hanger bits off of and then drilled a hole in the middle for a screw which I use to manipulate the hanger and film during processing - an example of it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colusite/4346369829/

Ken Nadvornick · Jan 25, 2011

ralnphot said:
When using the taco method, cloth covered hair bands work best, rubber bands sometimes leave an unfixed stripe on the back of the negative.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) approach worked extremely well for me before I purchased a dedicated Nikor stainless steel 4x5 tank, then later a set of water-jacketed stainless deep tanks and hangers.

A little effort upfront, but not much. I sat down one afternoon and made a lifetime supply. Once created these small cages are resusable and will last forever. And absolutely no residual uneven or "stripe" developing or fixing marks.

Ken

Developing 4x5 - 4 at a time.

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