Film Developing Aprons for 35mm

[MattKing]

Some time ago there was a request here on APUG for film developing aprons for 35mm film. I've looked for it, but cannot find it (it may very well have been an old "Wanted" ad in the Classifieds).

I've just obtained a couple as part of a Craigslist purchase, and would be happy to pass them on for the cost of postage.

Matt

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Wirelessly posted (BBBold: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

It was a thread, probably in the darkroom section.

 

[rusty_tripod]

Is the apron the plastic strip that replaces the reel?

 

[MattKing]

Is the apron the plastic strip that replaces the reel?

It is.

Matt

 

[Chazzy]

Freestyle was selling them, at least for a while. I had bad luck using the ones for 120.

 

[George Collier]

I used them as a kid, but my memory says that they are not considered a good method, reels are better.

 

[Ian Grant]

Actually therecent thread was about processing problems and was from a former Eastern Block photographer. I used them very early in my photography and they were terrible, prone to unevenness, I should still have one somewhere in the UK,

Ian

 

[VaryaV]

Hi Matt - I don't recommend using them either. I started off with them so I could learn the developing process. At that time I got frustrated with spooling stainless reels. While they are very easy to use and flawless, they left little tiny dots on the film seemingly inside the emulsion areas where the noodles hits the film. It showed up inside the print area. But again, they are a good way to get started. I got them from Freestyle at that time. Oh, and I quit using them when my dad humiliated me about it. Kept calling me the "noodle kid." ....
CHEERS.

 

[mgb74]

Despite their limitations, they are still the easiest to use for the very young and the infirm. I once knew of a someone with Parkinson's that used these; it was the only reel he could use with shaky hands.

But I may be biased. It was the first tank I ever had (age 13). I developed 620 Verichrome Pan from a Kokak box camera with Tri-Chem packs and contact printed.

 

[MattKing]

I've never used them for 35mm, but I did have good success using them for 120 (maybe even 620) way back when.

It seems to me that they don't work well if the bottom of the tank is flat, and there isn't anywhere for the chemistry to flow around the edges of the aprons.

In any event, if anyone is looking for the 35mm versions, they'll be some in my storage area for the next while ...

Matt

 

[mjs]

I was the one looking and I'd be happy to give you money for yours! Thanks for remembering!

Mike

 

[youngrichard]

Apron

I haven't a clue what you are talking about, and cannot remotely visualise an apron that replaces a reel. Could someone post a picture and brief explanation? I'm sure I'm not the only one who is mystified.
richard

 

[Ian Grant]

Here's a photo of a 120 version.

The film is rolled up with the apron, the dimpled edges supposedly keep the film from contacting the apron allowing even processing. But the were prone to uneven development, more problems with cross contamination etc.

Ian

 

[youngrichard]

Apron

Thanks for that. I have been developing films for 50 years, never heard of them. When were they popular?
Richard

 

[Ian Grant]

They'd largely disappeared by the late 60's, although I think some were made in the Eastern Block countries for much longer.

At a guess they'd probably became popular in the 30's but by the 50's Paterson & similar tanks became dominant.

Ian