Did They Ever Make a Funnel for Steel Film Tanks?

[bvy]

Just wondering. It would be nice, especially for C-41 where pour times can exceed 10% of the total development time.

 

[Ian Grant]

Not that I've ever seen.

Ian

 

[tezzasmall]

Won't a plastic one do?

I'm asking as I'm unsure why you are looking for something specific for a steel film tank?

Terry S

 

[bvy]

Won't a plastic one do?

I'm asking as I'm unsure why you are looking for something specific for a steel film tank?

Terry S

One that attaches and doesn't constrict flow any more than necessary. It would have to work with a tank lid that has a vent.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Normally a plastic funnel will work for a steel tank will work as well as a metal funnel. In fact both plastic and metal funnels will work for plastic tanks too.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Just wondering. It would be nice, especially for C-41 where pour times can exceed 10% of the total development time.

what's wrong with just any large funnel?

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

If steel is the requirement there are many examples to choose from online, aimed at food/restaurant applications.

 

[Ian Grant]

I think a point being missed is the way the lids of SS dev tanks work because of the light baffle system, this slows the filling quite significantly compared toPaterson and similar plastic tanks, hence the OP's question. A normal funnel would actually be worse than just pouring from a measure.

It may be possible to adapt a funnel but it would need to fit tightly onto the inlet part without restricting flow. There's a more important issue because you can't check the developer temperature with a SS tank and it's critical with C41.

Ian

 

[rrusso]

Give the steel tank a slight tilt as you're pouring, and you can fill it pretty quickly.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Just wondering. It would be nice, especially for C-41 where pour times can exceed 10% of the total development time.

Having to fiddle with a funnel will take even more time. Learn to pour until you can do it rapidly and accurately.

 

[jbrubaker]

I think a point being missed is the way the lids of SS dev tanks work because of the light baffle system, this slows the filling quite significantly compared toPaterson and similar plastic tanks, hence the OP's question. A normal funnel would actually be worse than just pouring from a measure.

It may be possible to adapt a funnel but it would need to fit tightly onto the inlet part without restricting flow. There's a more important issue because you can't check the developer temperature with a SS tank and it's critical with C41.

Ian

Temp. control is not a problem with SS tanks. If you use a tempering bath around the tank and pour in c-41 developer at the proper temp., you don't need to measure inside the tank itself. I do c-41 frequently using this method. ---jb.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Give the steel tank a slight tilt as you're pouring, and you can fill it pretty quickly.

+1

Having to fiddle with a funnel will take even more time. Learn to pour until you can do it rapidly and accurately.

+1

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

Agree w jbrubaker re tempering bath. Measurement in tank not necessary when a tempering bath is used.

 

[Photo Engineer]

There was an SS funnel for one model of tank. I had one years ago, but it is long gone. It was not very useful.

PE

 

[pentaxuser]

Ian Grant makes good points. I have both Jobo and Durst tanks. The Durst is configured like a steel tank and there is no doubt that pouring take longer than with the Jobo. In the case of the tank for 120 it takes appreciably longer which might or might not affect accurate timing in the case of C41.

The Jobo is made for C41 rotary processing and is certainly an easier tank to use but there is a way round it. Load the tank with developer prior to loading the reel, place tank in a sink in an area so you know where it is, such as one the corners of the sink. Place the reel in and put on lid.

pentaxuser

 

[darkroommike]

Kindermann made one, but SS tanks fill faster when held at an angle. The other thing you can do is load the film into a dry tank fill a tank with developer and then transfer the loaded reels to the "wet" tank in the dark. http://www.qualitycamera.com/ebay/kinderman-1365013120-82294.jpg

 

[bvy]

Maybe I'm pouring wrong, but the fastest I can fill a tall stainless tank (holds two 120 reels) is about eight seconds for 600ml of solution...

 

[pentaxuser]

Maybe I'm pouring wrong, but the fastest I can fill a tall stainless tank (holds two 120 reels) is about eight seconds for 600ml of solution...

Well based on the times Durst gives for its tanks I'd say No, you are not pouring wrongly. 8 secs seems pretty good to me. Let's assume over a time of 8 secs that the difference between bottom of film being covered and top may be not more than 6 secs. That's about 3% over 3 mins 15 secs. I'd be surprised if 6 secs is long enough to make enough of a difference to appreciably affect the film but frankly the only way to know is to risk it

pentaxuser

 

[Photo Engineer]

Maybe I'm pouring wrong, but the fastest I can fill a tall stainless tank (holds two 120 reels) is about eight seconds for 600ml of solution...

It takes me 8 seconds to fill and drain a Jobo tank. I use that time as suggested in tables for part of the process step timing.

PE

 

[BMbikerider]

I have never had a problem - funnel or not!

 

[Ronald Moravec]

Proper procedure is to fill the tank with developer, hold reel in right hand over tank, start time with left hand with extra 5 sec, grab cover with left while counting to five, drop film reel, and cap tank. Commence agitation. Pour out is not critical.

More than 2 reels, use a lift rod.

 

[bvy]

Having to fiddle with a funnel will take even more time. Learn to pour until you can do it rapidly and accurately.

That's not my experience. "Pouring faster" doesn't work. It just makes a mess.

It may be possible to adapt a funnel but it would need to fit tightly onto the inlet part without restricting flow.

Well, that's where I'm going with this. I fashioned a makeshift funnel more or less as you described, and cut my pour times in half -- 600ml of solution in four seconds. I was surprised. Won't work on any tank though, just the ones with the lid shown that have the vent around the opening. It got me to thinking that some manufacturer might have made a proper funnel at one time or another, hence my question. In any case, this will work for now, and will allow to me get back to processing two rolls of 120 at a time (C-41). Previously, my pour times were too long and I got uneven development on the top reel.

 

[Arklatexian]

If steel is the requirement there are many examples to choose from online, aimed at food/restaurant applications.

Probably would not make much difference if the stainless steel funnels ae washed well after use, but restaurant stainless is usually type 304 and photographic stainless is usually type 316. The 316 is more resistant to chemicals than 304. I would not let chemicals stay in contact with either for much longer than it takes to process your film. Good "wash-up" is the secret to long life with either............Regards!

 

[Ian Grant]

That's not my experience. "Pouring faster" doesn't work. It just makes a mess.

Well, that's where I'm going with this. I fashioned a makeshift funnel more or less as you described, and cut my pour times in half -- 600ml of solution in four seconds. I was surprised. Won't work on any tank though, just the ones with the lid shown that have the vent around the opening. It got me to thinking that some manufacturer might have made a proper funnel at one time or another, hence my question. In any case, this will work for now, and will allow to me get back to processing two rolls of 120 at a time (C-41). Previously, my pour times were too long and I got uneven development on the top reel.

That's exactly what I was thinking

Ian

 

[tezzasmall]

Before I saw the video from bvy, which seems to a non ss tank user, as ideal, I was going to suggest a jam funnel. But looking at the video, I think the pouring hole on a jam funnel may be too big, although they do come with different hole diameters?

Terry S