- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 6,297
- Format
- Multi Format
I starting shooting 8x10 film 10 years ago. There were several problems I had to figure out.
1. Process the 8x10 sheets with relative low volume of chemistry.
2. Be able to process film in daylight.
3. Make a tank that allows ease of filling and emptying of chemistry in daylight.
4. It allows stand processing of sheet film.
I bought a Paterson Orbital and it works great for a single sheet. Due to the design, I must process film with constant agitation. The plus side is it requires very little chemistry.
Through out the years, I'm lucky enough to buy paper safes at a relatively low cost. I've made one 8x10 film tank and through many test, I've one that I've used for a few months. The problem is that I could only process one sheet at a time with an 8x10 paper safe using only 1 liter of chemistry. Today, I created a tank that processes 2 sheets in an 11x14 paper safe. I discovered that film will float inside the tank without being weighed down. The solution is to use metal 8x10 film hangers that have the handles cut off. I'm able to make a tank that allows it to be filled in daylight by using black PVC pipes and elbows. To get chemistry out of the tank, I drilled holes in the front corners. The corner is covered by the paper safe lid. The film must be first pre-wetted or else streaks will happen on your negs. I've successfully used it for stand development by pre-wetting the film and putting once drop per liter of Edwal LFN in 1:100 dilution of Rodinal or HC-110.
1. Process the 8x10 sheets with relative low volume of chemistry.
2. Be able to process film in daylight.
3. Make a tank that allows ease of filling and emptying of chemistry in daylight.
4. It allows stand processing of sheet film.
I bought a Paterson Orbital and it works great for a single sheet. Due to the design, I must process film with constant agitation. The plus side is it requires very little chemistry.
Through out the years, I'm lucky enough to buy paper safes at a relatively low cost. I've made one 8x10 film tank and through many test, I've one that I've used for a few months. The problem is that I could only process one sheet at a time with an 8x10 paper safe using only 1 liter of chemistry. Today, I created a tank that processes 2 sheets in an 11x14 paper safe. I discovered that film will float inside the tank without being weighed down. The solution is to use metal 8x10 film hangers that have the handles cut off. I'm able to make a tank that allows it to be filled in daylight by using black PVC pipes and elbows. To get chemistry out of the tank, I drilled holes in the front corners. The corner is covered by the paper safe lid. The film must be first pre-wetted or else streaks will happen on your negs. I've successfully used it for stand development by pre-wetting the film and putting once drop per liter of Edwal LFN in 1:100 dilution of Rodinal or HC-110.
