how much fluid in trays?

Hey guys, I'm in the process of ordering graduates and such for my soon-to-be darkroom and was wondering what sizes I need. So my question is this, for those of you that use 11x14 inch trays how much fluid (ml) do you guys put in the dev/stop/fix trays for a printing session?


Can't wait to post my first prints, PsYChoRObOtApE

Hi, it depends on the actual size of the brand of trays you use, but 1500ml to 2000ml is what I use.

Jon

There are two issues here. First, you need enough liquid in the tray to cover the print. That's usually not the limiting factor.

The other consideration is working capacity. More chemical in the tray means that you have more working time before you have to mix fresh chemicals. I tend to use about 30 oz of developer/stop/fix - I have been using Sprint chemicals (readily available in a shop near here) that call for 1:9 dilution, so 30 oz is a convenient amount to mix. And it turns out that this also generally gives me about three hours of working capacity, after which I'm tired and ready to stop.

I also use 11x14 trays to process 4x5 sheet film in a slosher. In that case, I need a minimum of 800ml of fluid to cover the film in the slosher.

But the question you are really asking is what graduates should you buy. My suggestion: don't buy laboratory graduates - you can save a lot of money by using ordinary, readily available items. I have an ordinary 1 quart Pyrex measuring cup (less than $5 at K-Mart) that I use a lot. I also have a one quart graduated polyethelene mixing pitcher that came with a formula bottle kit we bought when our first son was born. (He's now 30.)

It's helpful to have smaller graduates. My collection also includes:
- a 6 ounce glass graduate that was intended as a urine collection container (from an surplus store)
- several 4 oz polyethelene graduates that originated as drinking cups during a hospital stay.
- many 1 oz polyethelene graduates that were used to dispense pills during various hospital stays.
- two 1 oz glass graduates that are shot glasses in disguise - one from a surplus store, one from a garage sale
- one graduated glass tapered cylinder - from that same surplus store
- one graduated plastic syringe - from a kit sold for refilling inkjet printer cartridges
- one graduated plastic syringe - from Target, intended for administrating liquid medications to infants

For 14 x 17 trays, I use 2000 ml of solution.

For 16 x 20 trays, I use 4000 ml of solution.

I use single tray processing, so I mix up each solution in the plastic beaker that will be used to transfer the solution back and forth to the tray. In other words, I use one plastic beaker of the appropriate size for each solution, and just one tray.

I bought mine from US Plastics.

I run the teaching darkroom at a university. I instruct my assistants to put 64 to 75 ounces (about 2000ml) in the slightly over-sized 11x14 trays. We need the volume to allow more than one print at a time (19 enlargers in darkroom), but any more than that just spills out when the trays are agitated.

So you might well be able to do with less -- just deep enough to make agitation and covering the print easy, and enough chemicals to last the printing session.

A liter of Dektol diluted 1:2 should do 30 8x10 prints...which is also about the capacity of a liter Kodak Rapid Fix (Kodak says 25 8x10's)

Vaughn

I use 12x16 trays and 1000ml is ore then enough with 8x10. I made the mistake of ordering 500ml bottles. Now my darkroom looks as though its overflowing with chemistry.

yours;

Hi Psychorobotape
The answer is put as much as you can into the tray.
The rationale his as follow :
During your first sessions, you will be quite slow. (I mean it would take some time from the first test strip to the final print you judge acceptable).
During this time, the print developer will oxidize and turn bad (almost partially).
So you will find that there is some discrepancy between the test strip and the final print.
IMHO, your learning curve will be better if you start with as much as possible processing chemistry in the tray. And don't be cheap, dump it at the end of the session. (or use it only for contact print after the first session).
I once took a workshop where I was shown to use 5 liters in a 30x40 cm tray. Into this tray we processed 24x30 cm prints. The guy instructing us made a first print at the beginning of the session, and "the same" at the end of the session. They were quite identical. On second day, one of the attendants had only 2 liters instead of the 5. Same experience as above, the two prints where different. Not the same contrast, maximal black....
Exhaustion and oxidation are to be considered....

jeroldharter said:

For 14 x 17 trays, I use 2000 ml of solution.
For 16 x 20 trays, I use 4000 ml of solution.

I use single tray processing, so I mix up each solution
in the plastic beaker that will be used to transfer the
solution back and forth to the tray. In other words,
I use one plastic beaker of the appropriate size for
each solution, and just one tray.
I bought mine from US Plastics.

Click to expand...

I also process single tray. Rather than reuse the
chemistry I use it at more than the usual dilution
then dump it after a print; one-shot usage. Based
on my over size 8x10 trays 640ml should do 11x14.
Your 11x14 trays, perhaps as little as 500ml.

If giving single tray processing a try pre-wet the
paper so it will take the developer evenly. Dan

I use 14 x 18" trays and find I can develop 12 x 16" paper quite easily with 1,000 ml of go juice.

That said I prefer 1,250 ml of solutions as it's easier.

I have many different sized measuring graduates, but the ones I use the most are these:-

1 litre, 500ml, 100ml and 50ml. With this lot you can pretty much mix anything.

10ml can be handy as well as pipettes, for some of the more esoteric measurements occasionally required.

I prefer the Jobo graduates and in fact I purchased a new 25ml Jobo graduate in Germany 2 weeks ago whilst on holiday.

Having some normal kitchen 1 litre jugs is also a great way to measure, but their graduations are a bit hit and miss if you really require exact amounts of solution.

I also have a Paterson mixing rod, this is really a neat and super cheap item, which is invaluable for ensuring that your solutions are properly mixed.

Mick.