Developing Large Film in Small Tanks

Hi guys and gals,

Do any of you use 3- or 4-roll film tanks to develop 4x5 or 5x7 sheet film?

I'm currently using J&C's 8x10 film tubes to develop two sheets of 5x7 at a time. It works well, but the exchange of chemicals must take place in absolute darkness. I use a good-sized funnel, but pouring the chemicals into the tube can still get a bit dicey.

I was wondering if a 3-roll small-film tank would allow me to daylight-process a single sheet of 5x7 film. If my math is correct, the tank would need to be either 2 1/4" in diameter and 5" high, or 1 3/4" in diameter and 7" high.

Whaddya think?

TIA!

Steve

I've done individual 4x5 sheets in a two-rool 35mm tank - stand development.

Why must everything be done in total darkness? Can't you put the lid on the tank?

A four-reel 35mm tank is 3.25" in diameter by 8" tall So you could fit two 5x7" sheets inside. The only concern I would have is that if you are using a process that involves agitation, the sheets could move about and eventually overlap.

I do 9x12cm and 4x5 sheet film in my 120 tank. If I do one sheet, I just slip it in the tank, emulsion side in. If I want to do more sheets (2-4) I put a rubber band around the sheets, again emulsion side in, and drop these in the tank.

Do a search for "taco development" for more info.

Monophoto said:

Why must everything be done in total darkness? Can't you put the lid on the tank?

Click to expand...

I didn't say "everything", just the exchanges of chemicals. I forgot to say so, but I'm semi-stand developing, so I'm talking about pouring about 1300ml of solution from a bottle into the tube. I'm basically guesstimating the location of the bottle's mouth. The funnel compensates for my miscalculations, but it's still a bit uncomfortable.

Monophoto said:

A four-reel 35mm tank is 3.25" in diameter by 8" tall So you could fit two 5x7" sheets inside.

Click to expand...

So... would a 3-reel tank be about 6" high? If so, I could do a single sheet of 5x7 in it.

If my calculations are correct, it would take about 675ml of solution to cover the film, and 800ml to fill the tank. I guess that's not too bad.

Thanks!

http://www15.plala.or.jp/monoan/Darkroom/c2.jpg
http://www15.plala.or.jp/monoan/Darkroom/c3.jpg
This may be warth a try. I'm using similar inside-tube.
I liked P C Headland's rubber band idea !

My 5x4 tubes have light traps. I use them vertically for inversion agitation. With a suitable size of tube it should work for 5x7, though the chemistry volume would be larger. With the tubes I used I think the internal circumference is just under 5".

http://www.gapatterson.org/photos/lfdevelop.html