Minox Day light tank developing

Ron Valdes · Feb 24, 2017

I getting read to develop film using HC110. My question is do I pump the thermometer same as 35mm. Film.
ie. Pump thermometer 30 seconds and 10 seconds every minute?

Harry Stevens · Feb 24, 2017

Well if you are talking about tank agitation then 30 and 10 is what I apply to all my films be it 35mm or 120, if using rodinal I may replace a 10 sec every other minute with a gentle swirl instead.

Ron Valdes · Feb 24, 2017

Thanks for getting back. I'm talking about using my Minor Daylight developing tank. Wanting to know using the thermometer supplied with tank pumping it for agitation. Do I pump constantly with determined times or use pumping times same a developing my 35mm. films? ie. 30 second 1st minute & 10 seconds every minute for designated time.

DWThomas · Feb 24, 2017

I use HC110 at 1+63 and did 30 seconds constant and about ten seconds per minute thereafter, same as I would do for bigger stuff, but I've only done one roll (Delta 100) in the past two years -- and none for 30 years prior to that, so I am reluctant to play expert. (I did get usable images!) Intuitively it really seems as if that thermometer pumping isn't much agitation, and the liquid volume is pretty low too. Although an entire 36 exp roll of Minox film is not very many square inches. I probably need to tinker some more to optimize the process, but have to admit the per roll cost doesn't encourage too much experimenting.

Ron Valdes · Feb 24, 2017

THanks for your reply. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. By the way I bought a film splitter and going to do my own loading with Fuji. Across 100. I purchased cassette'so used very fragile. Already destroyed one. Be Well Ron

guangong · Feb 25, 2017

The design of the Minox developing tank is as ingenious as the camera and pumping the thermometer circulates fluids very well. However, because of the small amount of developer I use a gentle but constant agitation. I use reels for 16mm but have found that Minox film is too narrow and finicky for reels. The Minox tank is best. Good luck.

Ron Valdes · Feb 25, 2017

Ron Valdes said:
THanks for your reply. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. By the way I bought a film splitter and going to do my own loading with Fuji. Across 100. I purchased cassette'so used very fragile. Already destroyed one. Be Well Ron

Thanks for your input. Ron

summicron1 · Feb 25, 2017

Ron Valdes said:
Thanks for getting back. I'm talking about using my Minor Daylight developing tank. Wanting to know using the thermometer supplied with tank pumping it for agitation. Do I pump constantly with determined times or use pumping times same a developing my 35mm. films? ie. 30 second 1st minute & 10 seconds every minute for designated time.

the instructions that come with the tank say to pump the thermometer continuously. When I use the tank I mix twice the amount of developer I need and keep pouring it in the top and then tipping it out the spout into the container of developer again. That gives you continuous flow.

I would be hesitant to do a 30 and 10 schedule -- the amount of developer in contact with the film is slow little, and circulation inside the tank so limited, i would worry about it not working well. My system seems to give good development.

Ron Valdes · Feb 25, 2017

Thanks for getting back. I didn't have any luck with pumping the therometer. The next time I'll try your message. I appreciate the information. By the way what times do you use when pouring the developer in and out of the tank. Ron

Harry Stevens · Feb 26, 2017

Never heard of this tank system before, Youtube sorted me out.

bsdunek · Feb 26, 2017

As simmicron! said, continuous pumping works best. There really isn't much agitation by pumping the thermometer. I find much better developing with continuous pumping.
Actually, I rarely use the Minox tank - I have much better results using SS reels. I don't find any problem loading them, and you can use more developer and agitate just like 35mm or 120 films. The other advantage is, the cassette doesn't get soaked with chemicals, which tends to ruin the felt light seals. You can wash & dry them, but, I've still had problems with light leaks when they are reloaded,

summicron1 · Feb 26, 2017

Ron Valdes said:
Thanks for getting back. I didn't have any luck with pumping the therometer. The next time I'll try your message. I appreciate the information. By the way what times do you use when pouring the developer in and out of the tank. Ron

I use the listed development times. I pour developer into the top spout, wait until it starts to overflow out the pour spout, pour a bit off to lower the level, then pour some more back into the central spout. Gives me something to do while I'm watching the clock.

For fixer I pour it in, let it sit a coupla minutes, pour some more in and then out to get circulation, let it sit a coupla more, and done.

To rinse I pull the whole central unit out of the tank, set it in a two-cup measuring cup and fill that with water so it covers the tank. Lots more efficient than trying to run water in and out of that dinky tank, and your cassette is pre-rinsed when ur done.

Ron Valdes · Feb 26, 2017

I'll try your suggestion the next time. My 1st attempt was not successful. Ron

Minox Day light tank developing

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