How do you wash 8x10 film?

[gbenaim]

Hi all,

If you don't own either a print washer or 8x10 hangers (the only methods I've read about), how else can you archivally wash 8x10 film? Thanks,

GB

 

[Craig]

I tray develop, and I wash in a tray, just like a FB print. You might try some hypo clear or Ilford Wash Aid to help with the washing and reduce the amount of water you need.

 

[eric]

Hi all,

If you don't own either a print washer or 8x10 hangers (the only methods I've read about), how else can you archivally wash 8x10 film? Thanks,

GB

1. Put in tray
2. fill with h20
3. watch TV
4. wait 10 minutes
5. Repeat process 2-4 about 4 or 5 times.

 

[gbenaim]

I do as you describe, Craig, but when there's a stack of 6 that tends to stay togetehr at the bottom of the tray, it doesn't seem it's getting enough circulation for an effective wash. I've been shuffling it a bit, changing the water every so often, but was hoping there's a more effective and efficient method short of the ones I mentioned in the op.

 

[matt miller]

1. Put in tray
2. fill with h20
3. watch TV
4. wait 10 minutes
5. Repeat process 2-4 about 4 or 5 times.

This is what I do.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I put it in a running water wash tray for about 20 minutes, moving sheets from the bottom to the top every couple of minutes. For sheets that are larger than my wash tray, I just do what Eric describes, but of course instead of watching TV, I see what's happening on APUG.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If you're going to tray wash a stack of film, bring a radio or other entertainment device into the darkroom with you while you wash, and shuffle the film like you would to develop it, but you can do this at a slower pace. You can also get a bigger tray, and hook up one of those Kodak tray siphons to circulate the water - if you adjust the positioning properly, it will do a better job of keeping the sheets separated. While you're doing that, browse eBay for either a deep tank and some hangers (cheapest) or a print washer (more water efficient).

 

[Nick Zentena]

I develop in print drums so I basically wash the same way I wash prints in the drum. Start off by adding water. Spin the drum. Drain. Repeat. I'll do this five times. 30 seconds of spinning for the last 2-3 times. Less with the first few batches. After wards I pop the lid off and fill the tank with fresh clean water.

 

[Jim Noel]

I use the tray fill, shuffle, refill tray method for 7x17. For 8x10 and smaller I wash them in the processor tube using a fill and dump process.

Several years ago I had my films checked for residual hypo after using the tray method. I learned that five repetitions, one minute apart did as much good as twice this number, so I use five repetitions.

 

[keeds]

I develop and wash 2 up in Jobo 2840 drums on a CPE. The wash is 3 x 2mins of water rotational followed by a quick soak in a tray with Ilfotol. I hope this is enough. It's similar to Ilfords suggested for 35mm / roll film.

 

[John Bartley]

1. Put in tray
2. fill with h20
3. watch TV
4. wait 10 minutes
5. Repeat process 2-4 about 4 or 5 times.

Pretty much, but I'd like to think that a cold beer could be involved ...:rolleyes:

 

[Neanderman]

In my print washer.

 

[fschifano]

This fellow http://philbard.com/panel.html made a processing panel for 4x5. It wouldn't be difficult to upsize it for 8x10 and is definitely not expensive to build. place it in an appropriately large tray and use a Kodak tray siphon, if you have or can get one, or use a modified Ilford wash sequence.

 

[photomc]

GB, how is the 8x10 coming? I wash mine in the drum I develop in (but I use a soak and dump method). If you are working on several negatives at a time, maybe a tray filled with water until you are finished and then like has been mentioned above - fill/soak/dump/repeat. Found a little wetting agent helps on the last pass to keep it from getting those drying spots.

 

[haris]

I don't use 8x10, but plan for future. Thinking of it I wouild use one for next two things:

1. use print washer

2. Buy somewhere cheap Jobo drum and wash it in it. Even process it in it

 

[CBG]

What about a few 8x10 or 11x14 trays with one neg each - and do the fill and dump thing. I like a few extra complete changes of water, beyond minimum recomended number. One neg each makes the question of sheets clinging moot.

I have always trusted fill and dump more than any constant flow system. Constant flow for me always seems analogous to swimming in diluted but untreated sewage. Even the tiny amounts of hypo laden water that cling to a tray when dumped gets my attention - thus I feel safer with a couple of extra changes.

Best,

C

 

[gbenaim]

Mike,

It's going well, all except the camera I bought came w a bellows full of holes(see my other thread), but no scratches tray processing! Also, the little dagor I got (6.5 inches) actually covers 8x10, which was a very nice surprise. I haven't used the pyrocat I got yet, just wanted to get all the pssible tech problems out of the way. That's the next step. How's 7x11 treating you?

 

[JBrunner]

I use one of those kodak tray siphon washers. the current from the incoming water gently moves the sheeets around and gets the water under and in between them. I also dump the tray a few times while it is washing, to assure complete turnover.

I tried using my print washer, but it seems too easy to make scratches getting them out. A more graceful person might have better luck. (And takes a huge volume of water to wash a small number of negs.)

 

[vet173]

Get some hangers, you won't regret it.

 

[photomc]

Mike,

It's going well, all except the camera I bought came w a bellows full of holes(see my other thread), but no scratches tray processing! Also, the little dagor I got (6.5 inches) actually covers 8x10, which was a very nice surprise. I haven't used the pyrocat I got yet, just wanted to get all the pssible tech problems out of the way. That's the next step. How's 7x11 treating you?

GB,
Well it sounds like you are having fun!! Sorry to hear about the bellows issue, but still you seem to be having a good time...and that little dagor will be sweet I bet. 7x11 is coming along, have a couple of prints in the gallery from recent outings. Really love the format (you could mask 8x10 to 6.5x10 to see what the format looks like if you get the chance).

Really looking forward to your work when this all comes together, you are in a very photo rich environment I think.

Best,

 

[Michael Kadillak]

Washing 8x10 Sheet FIlm

Come on guys, you can do better than this!

Use a dedicated sheet film washer. Alistair Inglis manufactures a low cost format specific sheet film washer that is amazingly simple and effective and does not risk emulsion damage to scratching in the wash. I use one for 5x7, 8x10 and even 8x20. Being responsible to using the least amount of water to get the job done is not only advisable, it is what each of us can do to be sensible when using such a precious resource like water. Utilizing dedicated Inglis washers (as well as other makers) and testing for optimal washing time just makes good sense. I have a water meter at my house and it hits me square in the pocker book.

Cheers!

 

[JBrunner]

Come on guys, you can do better than this!

Use a dedicated sheet film washer. Alistair Inglis manufactures a low cost format specific sheet film washer that is amazingly simple and effective and does not risk emulsion damage to scratching in the wash. I use one for 5x7, 8x10 and even 8x20. Being responsible to using the least amount of water to get the job done is not only advisable, it is what each of us can do to be sensible when using such a precious resource like water. Utilizing dedicated Inglis washers (as well as other makers) and testing for optimal washing time just makes good sense. I have a water meter at my house and it hits me square in the pocker book.

Cheers!

Looks really cool! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Michael Kadillak]

Looks really cool! Thanks for the heads up.

No problem. When you see how Alistair jets the water across the film surface area you will recognize how little water you need to accomplish the stated objective. Washing 8x20 sheet film has always been a real PITA. His 8x20 washer is more expensive, but I consider it an investment in the correct tool for the job. Every time I wash these large sheets I smile because I know that I can rest assured that there will be no adverse surprises in the wash cycle. We are fortunate to have such a great guy to provide these products to us. Please give him my absolute best!

Cheers!