Help with 8x10 Film Processing...

[SteveKomp]

Hello Everyone -

One of my students and I recently built an 8x10 camera. I found some old dip and dunk stainless steel canisters for processing the b&w film, but because they take such an enormous amount of chemistry I'd like to try something else.
I've read several posts where Unicolor drums are used. I've used JOBO drums for processing 4x5 chromes (many years ago), but never anything as big as 8x10.
When processing 8x10 negs in a drum, do you have spools that hold the negatives or do you just put them in the drum one at a time?
I realize that the tray method is another option to conserve chemistry, but the tube route seems attractive.

Any advice on this method would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks - Steve

 

[Ole]

I run them one at a time. Or rather two at a time, in JOBO print drums. No spools or spindles, just the cup in the lid as for paper processing.

 

[don sigl]

The jobo 3005 expert drum is made for holding up to 5 8x10 sheets. it is a bit pricey new, but you may be able to find one used. I use the 3005 with a cheap beseler drum processor. You might want to check some of the other threads concerning this method. I recommend purchasing a speed control from MLCS. It is simple to use and will allow you to slow the motor on the drum processor. Much of the literature available recommends slowing down the drum speeds. I recommend it, but there are those who will dispute it. Faster drum speeds (like what you are going to have with a unicolor or beseler drum processor) can cause contrast and oxidation problems with some developers. I prefer to use pyrocat with a drum processor, but there are other choices.

 

[Jim Noel]

ALthough I have a Jobo and appropriate Expert drums for all sizes up to 8x10, I use other brands of paper drums when only doing one or two sheets of film.

The Unicolor drum works well and the ridges designed to hold paper hold the film well and keep the back side off the drum so that chemistry and washes can clear the anti-halation layer.

Another drum which works well, and never leaks, is the Chromega 8x10 drum.

I use these on an old Uniroller which reverses. Before getting the Jobo I processed hundreds of sheets of 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 film very successfully.

 

[DannL]

I must agree with everyone else. I use the Unicolor II 8x10 print drum (all black plastic drum) designed for prints. I have never scratched a negative in the drum and it minimizes chemical fuming. Simply load it in the dark and then turn the lights on. Those internal ridges hold the film in place. You can process one negative at time in the 8x10 drum. Also works for multiple 4x5's. 11 oz of each chemical is more than enough to process the negative. I've only used it for 8x10 B/W negs.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/unicolor/

 

[Vaughn]

Trays are generally the most even and consistant

Trays are great, but I happily gave them up for the Jobo 3005 and a Beseler motor base -- I'll have to see about slowing the beast down as suggested above. I have spent a quarter century in the dark standing over trays -- the drum has got me spoiled!

I still use trays when I have to (for x-ray film and sizes bigger than 8x10).

For learning your film/developer, trays are nice for consistancy and control.

Vaughn