HP Combi Plan 4 x 5 Daylight tank - can I get away with 1000ml in it or has to be the stated 1,050ml

sperera

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Hi again, it's me haha. So I've had the Combi Plan 4 x 5 Daylight tank for years and have not used it yet. Hasselblad shooter as I have been all the time.

Now, the thing is that C41 chemicals for 1 litre is most affordable....but this Combi Plan says it needs 1,050ml (sorry, but I'm European!). That being said I put in 1000ml of water and I found the film would be submerged. My question is....can I get away with using 1000ml only????

I also have the MOD54 film holder for use with Paterson tanks which immediately solves 'the problem' but more often than not I get liquid spilling from the lid in my inversions and its really really really annoying......
What say you my friends....?
 
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Rick A

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I had a CombiPlan years ago, I think I only used 1000ml and didn't worry about the extra 50ml. Put some test films in and measure 1000ml and make sure it covers completely.
 
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sperera

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Rick A said:
I had a CombiPlan years ago, I think I only used 1000ml and didn't worry about the extra 50ml. Put some test films in and measure 1000ml and make sure it covers completely.
Click to expand...
yes I did a test with water and the film is certainly covered......wanted to know from other users.....C41 1 litre kits are affordable and in line with the way I do things
 

Steve Goldstein

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Why don't you ask the film?

Shoot some black-and-white test sheets and do the processing with 1000ml of developer, 1000ml of stop, and 1000ml of fix. Then you'll know.
 
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sperera

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Steve Goldstein said:
Why don't you ask the film?

Shoot some black-and-white test sheets and do the processing with 1000ml of developer, 1000ml of stop, and 1000ml of fix. Then you'll know.
Click to expand...
indeed that will be done hahah good point.....
 

wiltw

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The issue might NOT be the minimum volume of developer to cover and process film.
The issue MIGHT be the number of 4x5 sheets in the tank AND the amount of developer solution in the tank having processing CAPACITY to be able to fully process that many sheets of film. For example one quart (0.95 liters) of HC-110 dilution E is good for only 5 sheets of 4x5; you need another 0.19 liters to be able to bring 6 sheets to full development.
 
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reddesert

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I don't know the exact amount needed for this tank, but if 1000 ml really was just barely not covering the film and 1050 ml would cover it, you could just add 50 ml of water to make up the difference. Home photographic processing is not so precise that a 5% change in concentration will affect the results by much, you'd probably never notice. But if 5% of the film area was underprocessed by sticking above the top of the solution, you'd notice.
 

MattKing

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If it happens to be critical for that tank, I would just dilute my solutions by 5% to bring their volume up to 1050 ml.
Then bump the times by 5%.
The difference in results would be miniscule.
But it is quite likely that 1000 ml will be fine - if you are careful.
 

MattKing

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I'd be willing to bet that the original specifications were for 36 US ounces, and the 1050 ml was just the closest metric equivalent.
 

wiltw

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I hadn't looked at the HP Combiplan user instructions in decades (I purchased one three decades ago, but never used it, so sold it) , and I recently consulted a PDF copy available on the web. The user manual is very explicit in its statement that 1000ml/35 fl.oz. is needed for 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 and smaller sheetfilm, and 1050ml / 36 fl.oz. is needed for 4x5 sheet film. https://www.galerie-photo.com/manuels/HP-Combi-Plan-T.pdf
That three users all confirm 1000ml works fine is beneficial to peace of mind...I wonder why the manufacturer stated 50ml more was needed, perhaps to lessen possibility of issues arising?!
 
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sperera

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The extra 50ml means, obviously, C41 developing becomes needlessly expensive and wasteful. The other day I developed 4 sheets in it and they came up excellently
 

neilt3

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Possibly to reduce the liklihood of development issues from poor agitation ?
Not a problem I've had with mine .
 
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