Looking for a new developing tank

noexit · Oct 22, 2005

I have been using a Patterson System 4 developing tank that I'm borrowing from a cousin. The thing leaks like a... a really leaking tank... and I need to return it to my cousin. What tanks do you recommend? I would like something without too many parts to get lost in the dark, and something that doesn't leak.

Dave Miller · Oct 22, 2005

If it is the latest type with the large diameter soft cap it should not leak. If it is the old type with the screw top; then bin it and buy the new type. Alternativly get a Jobo tank, if you can find one, but make sure it has a reel because the two types are not interchangable.

Flotsam · Oct 22, 2005

For small tank processing using inversion agitation, I favor Stainless Steel tanks and reels. I like the all stainless variety. They last forever.

rbarker · Oct 22, 2005

For 35mm and 120, I also prefer stainless to the plastic Patterson tanks. Several of my stainless tanks (and reels) have served me for over 40 years, and show no signs of wearing out. I'll admit, however, to "converting" to Hewes reels for 35mm.

Richard Wasserman · Oct 22, 2005

I too am a fan of stainless steel tanks and Hewes reels. I never got comfortable with plastic, always seemed too fiddly.

Richard

srs5694 · Oct 22, 2005

I'll add my voice to the chorus of stainless steel fans. I've got a plastic AP tank and a stainless steel tank (with a soft plastic lid), and the stainless tank leaks much less. It leaks a little when doing color film, but not at all (that I've noticed) when doing B&W.

Papa Tango · Oct 22, 2005

For those doing 4x5, the Combi-Plan is about the best I have found. No streaking, uneven development, works well with inversion, stand, and dip processing. Available from B&H and others for around $60 USD.

reellis67 · Oct 22, 2005

Another stainless user here. I have a two reel and four reel SS tank, and about 8 reels of various sizes. I do have two plastic JOBO tanks but never use them. Even though they fill and dump FAST, I learned on steel and I prefer it. For sheet film (4x5), I like the Combi-tank method the best, but have done tray development too.

- Randy

gordrob · Oct 22, 2005

My vote is for the stainless steel tanks as well. I used to use the PAterson but had problems with leaking and sometimes they were difficult to thread the top properly. I use SS for 35mm and 120 and the larger Nikor Stainless Steel tank for sheet film up to 4x5.

Gord

Kevin Caulfield · Oct 22, 2005

I am also a convert to stainless. I recently bought a fully stainless Samigon tank and love it.
One point to consider though with regard to a leaking Paterson tank is that you need to "burp" the tank to stop it leaking. That is, you place the outer lid on, and quickly open one side whilst expelling air.

stephen · Oct 22, 2005

Dave's reply has slightly thrown me, as I didn't know that Paterson System 4 tanks came in more than one variety... Mine are not new, so I suppose that they are the old pattern, but I have not been aware of serious leaks. My tanks do have a light grey plastic ring that fits inside the top of the body before the lid is screwed on. I presume that your tank has this, as they do leak if it is inadvertently left out...

As for recommending others, I can't. I've used Paterson tanks since the 1950s and never tried any others (except for the Combi-plan I use for 5x4).

noexit · Oct 22, 2005

There is another Patterson tank, the Super System 4. It doesn't have a threaded lid, but a light trap/funnel that sort of screw/snaps into place, and a flexible rubber lid that presses on sort of like a lid on a Rubermade bowl. I have used one of those too, and it doesn't leak when you burp it, but it is kind of cumbersome getting the lid on quickly, and I've had the funnel/light trap and my film fall out when dumping developer down the drain.

Fotohuis · Oct 23, 2005

Yes, latest Paterson Version is OK, but I prefer the Jobo system 1510, or 1520 or 1540 developer tanks, because it's a system, a minimum of chemicals required and it is easier to get some spare parts for these tanks if they are going to leak (I hate that!! ). Further they are very easy in handling on the Heiland TAS filmprocessor (Tumbling machine, semi-automatic film developer, Wetzlar, Germany).

Best regards,

Robert

Lee Shively · Oct 23, 2005

I vote for steel over plastic. I used Paterson tanks and reels when I first started developing film and they worked fine. But I started using stainless tanks and reels about 30 years ago and wouldn't consider going back to plastic.

My biggest complaints with the Paterson system was that the reels couldn't be loaded when they were wet and each roll of film took 10 ounces of solution vs 8 ounces for the stainless system. As for leaking, every tank I've ever used leaks a little at least some of the time.

Fotohuis · Oct 23, 2005

As for leaking, every tank I've ever used leaks a little at least some of the time.

If you handle the Jobo tanks in the right way, they are not leaking, even not after 10 years. But there are some tricks to prevent Jobo tanks leaking.........

Best regards,

Robert

Papa Tango · Oct 23, 2005

OOPS, looks like the HP Combi Plan has gotten a little more expensive. But I notice that B&H now stocks all the parts for it. The Paterson plastic tanks are OK for average use, but I have noticed that the funnel does not want to stay in and can become unseated with agitation. I have had it drop out a couple times on draining, luckily the safelight was on or it was a fix drain. This has happened with both the 2 and 3 reel tanks. Maybe I will upgrade to stainless in the future, but I sure like the quick twist loading of the plastic tank reels. Is there something similar in stainless?

Looking for a new developing tank

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