Office supplies for 8x10 film processing?

Mainecoonmaniac · Sep 29, 2018

I've been trying to figure out a way to process 8x10 film on hangers in a small darkroom for years. I'n experimenting by using office supplies. File folders and a file holder. Each "tank" is 9"X11 1/2"X1" which holds a little less than 2 quarts. Take a look and give me your feedback. Right now, The folders leak and I'm trying to figure to fix the problem. This. is definitely a work in progress.

btaylor · Sep 29, 2018

Nice idea, hope you can work it out.
There is of course the alternative, which is to pick up some narrow (I think they hold 4 sheets or so) stainless tanks and some hangers all of which are made for processing 8x10 film. I got a set on the ‘bay, with some patience I think everything came to under $200. And Vinny over at LFPF was making acrylic tanks for not a lot of money. But if you can get those folders working that would be by far the least expensive solution. Have you thought about coating the interiors with something like plastidip ?

Andrew O'Neill · Sep 29, 2018

That's almost 2 litres of solution for 5 sheets, if I'm looking at it right. Why don't you just make some tubes? I had a tiny "darkroom" in Japan, and two tubes for 8x10. 250ml total developer per tube.

btaylor · Sep 29, 2018

Good point on the amount of developer, the significance will be what developer regime one is using. I use both replenished TMax RS or HC110 at 1:63, so not a lot of cost either way.

tezzasmall · Sep 30, 2018

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I've been trying to figure out a way to process 8x10 film on hangers in a small darkroom for years. I'n experimenting by using office supplies. File folders and a file holder. This. is definitely a work in progress.

Great starting point idea.

I reckon this was probably something like Nova's first incarnation of their Trimate Print Processor!

Terry S

PS This link might be of interest to you as well, especially my last link to a video showing another diy alternative to a Trimate.

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...any-other-similar-setups.162243/#post-2112537

Mainecoonmaniac · Oct 1, 2018

Andrew O'Neill said:
That's almost 2 litres of solution for 5 sheets, if I'm looking at it right. Why don't you just make some tubes? I had a tiny "darkroom" in Japan, and two tubes for 8x10. 250ml total developer per tube.

Thanks Andrew. I love tubes. I have some Beseler color processing tubes. I have an 8x10, 11x15 and 16x20. When I printed RA with the tubes, they were very economical. 1.5 oz per 8x10. I'm experimenting with hangers because I shoot Fuji HRT which have an emulsion on both sides. I processed it in tubes and I got awful scratches. Even trays will scratch HRT when you process it. I'm guessing that hangers and tanks won't have that issue.

DWThomas · Oct 1, 2018

Mainecoonmaniac said:
I'm experimenting with hangers because I shoot Fuji HRT which have an emulsion on both sides. I processed it in tubes and I got awful scratches. Even trays will scratch HRT when you process it. I'm guessing that hangers and tanks won't have that issue.

I also use 8x10 Fuji HR-T and I ended up buying some trays by Cesco that have a smooth sort of matte finish bottom (Freestyle had them as I recall). They are maybe a bit touchy to fish the film out of but I haven't had any scratching. I've also seen a suggestion of using a sheet of glass in the bottom of a tray. Acrylic might work, but it might float -- never investigated that. Typing this I had a flash of some old rocker tray thing -- a "color canoe"??? One could probably create an acrylic equivalent.

If using fast panchromatic film, a more tank-like approach would likely be better, but the HR-T can even be handled under a safe light (albeit a dark red) which makes working in the open a little easier.

Mainecoonmaniac · Oct 1, 2018

DWThomas said:
I also use 8x10 Fuji HR-T and I ended up buying some trays by Cesco that have a smooth sort of matte finish bottom (Freestyle had them as I recall). They are maybe a bit touchy to fish the film out of but I haven't had any scratching. I've also seen a suggestion of using a sheet of glass in the bottom of a tray. Acrylic might work, but it might float -- never investigated that. Typing this I had a flash of some old rocker tray thing -- a "color canoe"??? One could probably create an acrylic equivalent.

If using fast panchromatic film, a more tank-like approach would likely be better, but the HR-T can even be handled under a safe light (albeit a dark red) which makes working in the open a little easier.

Hey Dave.
I appreciate your valuable advice! I do have some Cesco trays.
I'll give it a try. The good thing about Xray film is I work under a red safelight so I don't have to grope for the film in the developer in the dark. The HR-T film won't even process in Paterson trays with troughs. It will leave marks.

Andrew O'Neill · Oct 1, 2018

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Thanks Andrew. I love tubes. I have some Beseler color processing tubes. I have an 8x10, 11x15 and 16x20. When I printed RA with the tubes, they were very economical. 1.5 oz per 8x10. I'm experimenting with hangers because I shoot Fuji HRT which have an emulsion on both sides. I processed it in tubes and I got awful scratches. Even trays will scratch HRT when you process it. I'm guessing that hangers and tanks won't have that issue.

I've never gotten scratches even with double-sided xray in flat-bottomed trays. I've never used Fuji HRT. Is it double-sided? I've processed in hangers, and one has to be really careful with surge marks... once you figure it out, it's a nice way to develop... except for the amount of solutions required. Great for stand/semi stand, mind you.

DWThomas · Oct 1, 2018

Yes HR-T is double sided emulsion. I typically work one sheet at a time through the trays and set up a sort of cascade multi-tray washing operation over a laundry sink. It's somewhat tedious and time consuming, but then I typically do about a half dozen shots once a year for pinhole day. If I was doing two dozen at a time -- or a few every week; I might -- nay, be forced to -- look for a more efficient approach.

Mainecoonmaniac · Oct 1, 2018

Andrew O'Neill said:
I've never gotten scratches even with double-sided xray in flat-bottomed trays. I've never used Fuji HRT. Is it double-sided? I've processed in hangers, and one has to be really careful with surge marks... once you figure it out, it's a nice way to develop... except for the amount of solutions required. Great for stand/semi stand, mind you.

Thanks for the tip. I'll bring out my Cesco trays and tray process them. I might have to let the nail on my right index finger grow a bit to pry the film off the bottom of the tray. The emulsion is so delicate when it's wet, you can't even use tongs.

Mainecoonmaniac · Oct 1, 2018

DWThomas said:
Yes HR-T is double sided emulsion. I typically work one sheet at a time through the trays and set up a sort of cascade multi-tray washing operation over a laundry sink. It's somewhat tedious and time consuming, but then I typically do about a half dozen shots once a year for pinhole day. If I was doing two dozen at a time -- or a few every week; I might -- nay, be forced to -- look for a more efficient approach.

I'm trying to be more efficient with chemistry and time. If I could get the office supply system to work, I'd like to process a sheet at a time in hangers. I plan to use replenished HC-110.

Office supplies for 8x10 film processing?

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