developing 4x5 B&W negs

lxdesign · May 25, 2008

Hi there,

I am new to LF, and I have shot quite a bit of film, but up until now, everything I have done has been processed by a lab. Now that I have moved up the ranks to a 4x5 view camera, I want to learn how to develop my own b&w negs. I have read the how to here on apug.. but its more for working with 35 or 120mm film. So what I need to know is what equipment and stuff I need to get to start working with 4x5, and how to do it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

thanks,

David

keithwms · May 25, 2008

The combiplan system is nice for 4x5, though I think you should buy two tanks.

Other than that... just dive in, it's not hard. B&w in particular is very easy and quite forgiving of minor mistakes!

If you want to get a really quick start then my advice would be to do an apprentice session with an experienced b&w shooter. Just being walked through one session can save many hours of trial and error. Seek someone in your area....

drpsilver · May 25, 2008

24 May 2008

Lxdesign:

My recommendation would be to find a JOBO tank (2500 series) that will fit 4x5 negs (series 2509m reels) and a motor base. With this you can simulate the JOBO processor for A LOT less money. I have used this system for many years with lots of good results. You just have to be careful how you agitate/rotate the tank.

Barring the expense of a JOBO tank and reels the CombiPlan is a good method as long as you can agitate chemicals sufficiently well. Not ever used one in practice I do not know if you can invert the tank. The JOBOs are no problem.

I will echo Keithwms comments about scheduling a session with someone experienced in processing LF film. It will save you many hours of learning by experience.

Regards,
Darwin

John Kasaian · May 25, 2008

Steve Simmons book Using The View Camera has the best description for tray processing I know of.

David William White · May 25, 2008

Quite a few people find 4x5 development easier and simpler than roll film. One advantage is you can do as little as one sheet at a time, check the results, and modify your technique as necessary.

You can get the fancy rotary processors when your finances allow, but don't let that hold you up: As long as you've got a dark room (or can wait until nightfall), all you really need is three small trays, a thermometer, a timer, some film developer and some fixer. Both Ilford and Kodak have short instruction pdf's for tray processing their sheet film. From an equipment point of view, it's pretty rudamentary.

23mjm · May 25, 2008

I am new to 4X5 also--started in February. I am very experienced in developing 25mm and 120 (1000's of roll) but 4X5 was a whole different ballgame. I started with tray-that didn't go well-very inconsistent results, few scratches and streaks in open sky. Drove me crazy all that hard work to take the pic's and down the drain. Enter the Jobo system--I broke down and ponied up the cash. Got the 3006 drum and I already had a motorbase. THE BEST $300 I HAVE SPENT on film development. !!! I would get a drum and motorbase, save time and frustration.

Ian Grant · May 25, 2008

Earlier 70's Jobo 2000 series tanks are excellent for 5x4 as well. I also have a very much older Jobo tank the same dimension which will take the same 5x4 spirals, Jobo made these tanks for many years.

Ian

Martin Aislabie · May 25, 2008

I started in 5x4 about 12 months ago and have been using the Combiplan tank.
Actualy - as mentioned above you need at least 2 of them.
I have a set of 4 tanks and move the film carrier between the pre-filled tanks
Once the lid is on PROPERLY you can invert the tank with very little or no chemical leaks
Loading the Combiplan cassette with sheets of film is relatively easy.
However, starting to process your own film is not - without an experienced freind to help & guide
The problem without a guide is not recognising you are making mistakes but knowing what mistakes you are making and the best way of overcoming them.
A local buddy is the best bit of photographic equipment you can get
The equipment is easy to buy - the experience is not
There are many photographic books available for beginiers which will give you the minimum equipment list you need to start.
Have a go - its fun
But get a photographic buddy
Good luck
Martin

jbbooks · May 25, 2008

This is another vote for using a JOBO drum.

What you need is the JOBO Expert 3010 drum for processing up to ten 4x5 negatives. You will also need the 3360 Foot Pump to remove the lid, a 3007 Sponge Rod for cleaning and aiding in drying and three small graduated cylinders, minimum 300 milliliter, for the chemicals. Once the film is loaded into the drum, there is no further need to work in the dark. The JOBO processor is nice, but not necessary for B&W.

http://www.jobo.com/web/Expert-Drums.338.0.html

Also, for tray developing, I would recommend what is called a slosher . I have one for 4x5 that will hold up to 6 negatives at a time, each in an individual compartment. This allows varying the time used for development, you just add each negative, emulsion side up, at the required remaining time-- starting with the one that is to be processed the longest. Not as convenient as the JOBO drum and it requires a darkroom, but will give results comparable to the JOBO.

http://www.summitek.com/products.html

As you can see from the link, Peterson no longer sells the ones he made. However you can see what it looks like and they are not hard to make yourself.

df cardwell · May 25, 2008

A single 4x5 sheet in an 8x10 tray is pretty easy.
It is also immediate, no big set up involved.
Developing a single sheet at a time also focuses your attention
while you are shooting ! It is a great way to learn the technique.

Avoid buying a bunch of stuff instead of mastering the camera and negative.

papagene · May 25, 2008

I'll toss in my vote for the HP Combi plan. I have been using it for about i7 years now with extremely few problems. I have only one tank and find it no bigger hassle than processing 120 film in stainless steel tanks.
Whatever method you decide on, have fun and remember 4x5 negs are a real pleasure to print.

gene

Shangheye · May 25, 2008

I started devloping my own 4x5 about two months ago. 25 sheets later. Not a single negative lost. I used the combiplan (three tanks and using them as dip and dunk tanks) I recommend you visit largeformatphotography.org, where a great article has been written on how to use them this way. You need a darkroom...but alternatively, use them the way they are meant to be used with the lid on as a day tank. Satisfation guaranteed. K

lxdesign · May 26, 2008

thanks for all the feedback... I am going to investigate this locally... see if there is a course or someone willing to teach. I am in Toronto. thanks,

David

keithwms · May 26, 2008

Just search "GTA" on the forum and you'll find a willing tutor or two or three.

jeroldharter · May 26, 2008

jbbooks said:
...
Also, for tray developing, I would recommend what is called a slosher . I have one for 4x5 that will hold up to 6 negatives at a time, each in an individual compartment. This allows varying the time used for development, you just add each negative, emulsion side up, at the required remaining time-- starting with the one that is to be processed the longest. Not as convenient as the JOBO drum and it requires a darkroom, but will give results comparable to the JOBO.

http://www.summitek.com/products.html

As you can see from the link, Peterson no longer sells the ones he made. However you can see what it looks like and they are not hard to make yourself.

That is right. His supply is all gone. You can buy the same thing but in a red color from photographers formulary.

For getting started as simply and cheaply as possible, but with a system that works well for a beginner (unlike trays alone), use the slosher in trays.

Slightly more complicated, but my preference, are BTZS tubes ($120) which are like a deconstructed Jobo 3006 and your hands are the motor base, i.e. you manually rotate the tubes in a water bath. You can control the temperature, develop each sheet in a run for an individualized time, easier to dry than a Jobo, and even use different developers for each sheet. Also the most economical with chemistry volumes.

The next most expensive is the Jobo drum with a motor base ($300+) but you don't have any means to control the temperature, need electricity, etc.

The most expensive option that many people use is a Jobo CPP processor (>$1000) which is very good but takes up a lot of space, minimal customer support (nowadays), a lot of fuss for small batches, can't control development time of individual sheets, etc.

butterfly · May 27, 2008

One more vote for the Combi-plan tank

I use this tank with pleasing results. You do need to presoak the film for 2 minutes in water to ensure even development, and allow for the emptying and filling time, which is a bit slow.

As you get more familiar with the use of the tank the better the results (same can be said of any photographic piece of hardware).

I still get a buzz each time I lift off the tank lid after fixing to see what I've got - very rewarding (most of the time!)

Good luck.

Steve

developing 4x5 B&W negs

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency