Moving to large format and need some help

So far.

Thanks everyone for getting me started. For the last 2 weeks were, I was in the process of getting the setup ready. i.e to get used to the whole pipeline (from shooting to processing)

Yesterday I did my first real tray processing using HP5+. Two things I noticed:
-> Tray processing is definitely cost effective. I am thinking in 250ml, I can get 4 -6 sheets a go. Until I get experience, next few months I will go with 2 at a time.
-> I need to get/do few more things to make everything more smooth:
1. Need a dark cloth for focusing. My bath towel is a little bulky.
2. Need a way to store up exposed sheets (I don't have a spare box yet). Taking it out of holders, and straight to the dev is tricky. I was afraid of getting it scratched.
3. Def need a better way to keep time. I am thinking of recording a music and playing it in iphone
4. Agitation. Here, I am thinking consistency is much more important than perfect timing.

-> For carrying it around, I bought a think tank street walker pro. Very light bag and everything fits fine with almost 2/3rd of the space still free.

Overall I like it. I will need to take it out next week to see how everything fare.

I started with a 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic because it can be used hand held, has limited movements when using it as a field camera, and can be resold or traded without much if any loss. I was so happy with it that I later go a 4"x5" Graflex Model D. Both can be used with barrel lenses [sans shutter]. Consider starting with a press camera.

After trying tray development and then a series of daylight 4'x5" tanks in an increasing price order, I found that, in spite of the costs, getting a Jobo processor and the Jobo 3010 Expert Tank was well worth the expense. Now I can develop both color and black & white 35mm, 120 and 4"x5" film with very little effort and a highly repeatable quality.

rakmaya said:

-> Tray processing is definitely cost effective. I am thinking in 250ml, I can get 4 -6 sheets a go. Until I get experience, next few months I will go with 2 at a time.

Click to expand...

Tried processing in an open tray and very quickly got hold of a Paterson Orbital - Have also tried the Combiplan and Jobo 25xx tanks. I'll maybe set the Combiplans up as part of a dip'n'dunk line if I ever need to do a bulk of processing.

-> I need to get/do few more things to make everything more smooth:
1. Need a dark cloth for focusing. My bath towel is a little bulky.

Click to expand...

Have a look around a haberdashery store - I found a length of coated nylon, black on one side, silver on the other and showerproof. With some velcro stitched on, it wraps around the camera quite nicely - Also has a dressmaker's tape sewn down one side which is handy when doing close-up shots.

Others use a teeshirt or one of them specially made jobbies that look similar - If you go for a "proper" darkcloth, avoid the ones with lead weights sewn in to the edges.

2. Need a way to store up exposed sheets (I don't have a spare box yet). Taking it out of holders, and straight to the dev is tricky. I was afraid of getting it scratched.

Click to expand...

Got a papersafe ?
I use a small one when working through a stack of films as it saves on having to fight with the boxes & bag.

3. Def need a better way to keep time. I am thinking of recording a music and playing it in iphone

Click to expand...

A cheap kitchen timer that beeps on reaching a set time, or you can get a dedicated darkroom process timer (Paterson still make/sell them).

4. Agitation. Here, I am thinking consistency is much more important than perfect timing.

Click to expand...

10-15 seconds on an eight minute development regime is not going to make enough of a difference to see.

rakmaya said:

3. Def need a better way to keep time. I am thinking of recording a music and playing it in iphone
4. Agitation. Here, I am thinking consistency is much more important than perfect timing.

Click to expand...

You can make a recording of yourself counting out the time. Or just look around for an iPhone timing app. I know there is at least one free darkroom app for iPhones. (I use a normal timer in the darkroom.)

You can get used GraLab timers here at APUG for $15 to $30. They last a long time and can be used to time an enlarger when you get one.