How do you develop your paper prints

BradS · Nov 11, 2021

Trays, Dektol, 2 minutes

ic-racer · Nov 11, 2021

Bezoar said:
How many are using trays to do it versus how many are still using paper developing tube?

I have only tube processed prints with Cibachrome or RC B&W. Otherwise it is trays.

eli griggs · Nov 11, 2021

I use trays, in a 4' abs deep well sink, no running water.

I have a couple of drums and a Beseler motor base, but I've done almost no b&w processing in them, and only used an earlier set up for the much missed

Cibachrome, though I guess I should get an updated motor base and some longer tubes for b&w papers.

I like trays and I set up additional shelf's for a full line,

I have some very large trays, but my usual line, printing 7" x 7" prints in Glad Ware plastic topped gallon trays, developer, stop wash, fixer x 2, plus toner, hcl, standing bath until transferred to bath trays, distilled final wash.

5"x7", 8"X10", 11"x14" trays are no problem but 16"x20" and larger need extra space.

Small dark room, big trays, do need work-arounds and it seems tubes are a reasonable solution.

Godspeed to you and yours, everybody.

Eli.

MattKing · Nov 12, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
That is what I am afraid of. I need to buy more tubes.

I find 4 tubes works well.

Michael Firstlight · Nov 12, 2021

eli griggs said:
I use trays, in a 4' abs deep well sink, no running water.

Cibachrome, though I guess I should get an updated motor base and some longer tubes for b&w papers.

Eli.

You have Cibachrome/Ilfochrome chem and paper that's still usable?

Michael Firstlight · Nov 12, 2021

OK, for all you tray uses, how do y'all stack your trays (if you stack)? Those old Ledal tray stackers were nice, but rare and I've never seen them for anything but smaller trays. These are 11x14 trays and I used a few small monitor stands to use as a stacker. I could take the ends (they screw into the boards) and insert a longer board between them for stacking larger trays up to 20x24 - might do that next.

Mike

eli griggs · Nov 12, 2021

Michael Firstlight said:
You have Cibachrome/Ilfochrome chem and paper that's still usable?

No, which is why I do no regularly use the drums and old base for processing.

That a billionaire would pick up the rights to make Cibachrome just because he/she wanted to leave a legacy for the photographic world and our art, is an old dream that I'm sure others here would share in.

IMO.

Michael Firstlight · Nov 12, 2021

eli griggs said:
No, which is why I do no regularly use the drums and old base for processing.

That a billionaire would pick up the rights to make Cibachrome just because he/she wanted to leave a legacy for the photographic world and our art, is an old dream that I'm sure others here would share in.

IMO.

Ahhh, OK, the way the lines broke on your post made me read it as its own line. I guess it was wishful thinking on my part. I assume a comeback is about as likely as a Kodachrome comeback LOL.

eli griggs · Nov 12, 2021

Nice tray stacker.

I should make a few of these myself to get a larger print size than what I can do now.

Cheers

Michael Firstlight said:
OK, for all you tray uses, how do y'all stack your trays (if you stack)? Those old Ledal tray stackers were nice, but rare and I've never seen them for anything but smaller trays. These are 11x14 trays and I used a few small monitor stands to use as a stacker. I could take the ends (they screw into the boards) and insert a longer board between them for stacking larger trays up to 20x24 - might do that next.
View attachment 290804
Mike[/QUOTE

mshchem · Nov 12, 2021

Michael Firstlight said:
OK, for all you tray uses, how do y'all stack your trays (if you stack)? Those old Ledal tray stackers were nice, but rare and I've never seen them for anything but smaller trays. These are 11x14 trays and I used a few small monitor stands to use as a stacker. I could take the ends (they screw into the boards) and insert a longer board between them for stacking larger trays up to 20x24 - might do that next.
View attachment 290804
Mike

That's a great setup. I have giant sinks that I have scrounged up. My last darkroom I had a nice long counter and a regular kitchen sink worked great!

Sirius Glass · Nov 12, 2021

MattKing said:
I find 4 tubes works well.

I will have to buy the Jobo drums.

GKC · Jan 7, 2022

Trays. My faves are Kodak Duraflex

How do you develop your paper prints

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