New 4x5 film processing system on Kickstarter: $47!

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How many sheets of 4x5 film do you typically processes at a time?

  • 1 or 2

    Votes: 15 9.7%
  • 3 or 4

    Votes: 47 30.5%
  • 5 or 6

    Votes: 58 37.7%
  • 7 or 8

    Votes: 9 5.8%
  • more than 8

    Votes: 25 16.2%

  • Total voters
    154

Axle

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frobozz

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OK I'm in. I love my Nikor 4x5 tank and reel, and often have more than 12 sheets to develop at a time so have to run two batches through it back to back... but it would be nice when doing smaller batches not to have to run through that much chemistry!

Duncan
 

Wayne

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Everyone,
Here's our latest update: Dead Link Removed
Thanks again,
Timothy


Since my only use for this would be color film, I'm wondering whether its worth it for my purposes. Assuming 32 4x5 sheets per liter, I'd need to use the 16 oz of solution 4 times to get nominal capacity out of it. I've never re-used any film developer once, let alone color developer 4 times, and I suspect will lead to heartache. It just doesn't seem advisable, for me, that is. Seems like a great idea for people who don't like to tray develop B&W.
Now if you could get 8 or more sheets into that 16 oz, that might change my mind.
 

Sirius Glass

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Reusing the C-41 chemicals is not a problem. I have developed four rolls at a time for four times to process the 16 rolls of film. When I writer rolls I me a roll or sheet film equivalent of a roll.
 

MattKing

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davedm

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'When I write rolls I mean"....

Sent from my MI 3W using Tapatalk
 

Sirius Glass

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Wot he^^^ says.

When I wrote "rolls" I meant "rolls of film or equivalent rolls of film". I had just washed my hands and now I can do nothing with them. [a line from Snow White by one of the dwarfs talking about washing his feet and now he could not dance.]
 

Roger Cole

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Yep. I used to reuse both C41 and E6 to the manufacture's capacity. No issues at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk and 100% recycled electrons - because I care.
 
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tim48v

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Just in case you've missed it, we've posted an update on kickstarter: Dead Link Removed
 

mgb74

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It appears to me that your o-ring is a "wear" item. I hope that it's a relatively easily found size. It would be great to include that specification in the instructions. And maybe a spare as well.
 
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tim48v

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It is a standard "-243" silicone 1/8" O ring. Any industrial catalog would have them; I've even seen them on Ebay.
 

mgb74

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It is a standard "-243" silicone 1/8" O ring. Any industrial catalog would have them; I've even seen them on Ebay.

Exactly what I wanted to know.
 

jpreston

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Well crud, it looks like I missed out on this one. Somehow, this thread slipped by me. I took a quick look at the Kickstarter page but didn't see the price for those of us who missed the backing period. How much for the production units?
 

Mackinaw

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Well crud, it looks like I missed out on this one. Somehow, this thread slipped by me. I took a quick look at the Kickstarter page but didn't see the price for those of us who missed the backing period. How much for the production units?

Not sure what the unit will cost once it goes public, but he will soon be setting up an online store where you can buy it.

Jim B.
 

jpreston

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Not sure what the unit will cost once it goes public, but he will soon be setting up an online store where you can buy it.

Jim B.

Since I missed the Kickstarter, I'll probably wait and see some real world results before spending my money. I bought a 4x5 reel from a guy on Facebook that is supposed to work in a Patterson tank (kind of a MOD54 derivative), but I can't get it loaded with dummy sheets well enough to trust it with real exposed film.
 

Stoney3K

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I suspect the system could even be improved if they find a way to load the tank in daylight. The tank already uses film holders, if it's possible to modify these holders so they can also be used in a camera (thus having a standard size) or make Readyload-like sleeves that can be transferred from the camera to the tank without in a light-tight manner, they would have a unique selling point on their hands.

I can imagine that working for this type of (rectangular) tank with only a few modifications. The workflow would be a lot quicker in the field: Load the film holders or sleeves in a darkroom or changing bag, insert into camera, expose, and transfer the sleeve into the development tank. Once inside the tank, pull the sleeve's dark slide (or remove the sleeve entirely in some way) and close off the tank for a fluid-tight seal.

The fact that you need to load *and* empty sheet film holders in a dark room and need to handle the film in both cases makes the film format less convenient to use while on the road. If this tank can be loaded in daylight, combined with a monobath developer like the New55 R5, it would be a great kit to develop negatives right out of your camera bag.
 
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tim48v

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Regarding 'processing in the film holder', we actually spent quite a bit of time looking into that; even did a 3d model. The biggest problem is that everything has to be waterproof, including the lightrap for the slide. It got complicated fast. Could it be done? Probably. Is it worth the extra expense? Don't know but it looked risky.

For those that missed the kickstarter, we will be setting up online sales (either directly from Stearmanpress.com or other distributors), immediately after we finish shipping the kickstarter rewards.

In case you missed it, here's a link to the latest update: Dead Link Removed
 

Jockos

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I'd be super interested in a 5x7 version! Great design by the way, I like that you're thinking of economy as well as function :smile:
 

europanorama

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How about using waterbath-method?anything against that experts. did that often with 70mm developping using 70mm-reel 2570 and testdrum 2820. yes the one for prints-using 500m. three-reel-method to bypass the need of 2570-reel is also working. but didnt try yet. is matching in height.
 
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tim48v

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The first production run of SP-445s is finished, boxed up and on its way to the distribution center in Hong Kong.

In fact, we messed up and sent a few too many. Thus, we're having a warehouse sale (I know, it sounds cheesy but we don't want to have to air freight the units to the USA if we don't have to.) Visit Dead Link Removedfor details.

upload_2016-7-27_20-53-57.jpeg
 

Sirius Glass

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The intro is interesting.
 
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