In a 10" X 8" tray.
Since I have a 3x4 Graflex RB and a cheap source of large format roll film I can cut down, I wanted a better developing tank option than what was available.
What I ended up doing was designing and printing my own insert for a 3 reel Paterson tank. It is based off the 1920s era Kodak film pack tank. It can hold up to 12 sheets of 3.25 x 4.25" film and will develop 12 sheets in 800ml or 28oz of developer which is a lot more economical than most of the hanger based tanks out there. Fluids can also be exchanged in daylight as with roll film, which is something that neither the original Kodak film pack tank nor the hanger based tanks can do.
View attachment 386506View attachment 386508
Now the film does have to be flexed like a taco and then inserted. I primarily use cut down aerial roll film which has a thin base and this isn't a problem. I have not tried developing proper sheet film with a 7 mil thick base but I have tried some old light struck film as seen in the image above and it does fit, albeit a bit snug. Dimensions can't be increased any further due to size restrictions of the Paterson tank.
That is an ingenious design! Are you open to share the design? I happen to have a 3D printer as well, but have never attempted anything this tall.
As long as you're using it for personal non-commercial reasons I'd be happy to share the design.
3x4 Sheet Film Insert for 3 Reel Paterson Tank by Hcompton79
I made this sheet film developing holder based off the 1920s era Kodak film pack tank. This sheet film insert goes in a 3 reel Paterson tank and allows you to develop up to 12 sheets of 3.25 x 4.25" film in 800ml or 28oz of developer which is a lot more economical than most of the hanger based...www.thingiverse.com
If your printer isn't up to the task, I could potentially print you one, provided you reimburse me for the material cost and shipping.
my own insert for a 3 reel Paterson tank
Does your design give consistent development all across the film? I can see how this would be a problem. The flow pattern along the edges is likely to be quite uneven.
I use a Yankee Agitank for my developing. Make sure the Shanghai film fits your holders, I got some from them and had to trim a small amount from every sheet.
film-size-problem
It basically handles 4x5, 9x12, 3 1/4 x 4 1/4.
Nice. Now I just need a solution for 2x3 that doesn't cost an arm and a leg or require me to load that huge Agitank rack with that dinky film. Might be time to wake up the 3D printer and make a taco tank insert like the 3x4 one above...
Here's the same thing but for 2x3 film only, will fit in a 2 reel Paterson Tank:
2x3 Sheet Film Insert for 2 Reel Paterson Tank by Hcompton79
Same as my 3x4 holder but shortened for 2x3 film only and will fit in a 2 reel Paterson tank.www.thingiverse.com
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