Paterson vs Kaiser RC paper washer

I'm trying to decide between the two 12x16 RC paper washers:
Paterson high speed print washer http://www.patersonphotographic.com/patersondarkroom-details2.htm#high-speed-print-washers ,
or Kaiser PE/RC print washer http://www.kaiser-fototechnik.de/en/produkte/2_1_produktanzeige.asp?nr=4094
Any user experince is much appreciated as I have no chance to see either in a store.

Thanks!

I'm open to suggestions on how to wash RC paper efficiently in 2 minutes in running water?

miha said:

I'm open to suggestions on how to wash RC paper efficiently in 2 minutes in running water?

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Kodak Tray Siphon in a tray

MattKing said:

Kodak Tray Siphon in a tray

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Thanks. I guess it's compareable to the one in the link? http://www.fotoimpex.de/shop/images/products/main/Deville_Potolav.jpg

miha said:

Thanks. I guess it's compareable to the one in the link? http://www.fotoimpex.de/shop/images/products/main/Deville_Potolav.jpg

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It may very well be .

The wash times are very short for RC paper.

I wash mine by having two trays stacked one above the other. The water flows into the top tray, and then flows out through some holes I've drilled near the rim on one edge. The outflow falls into the bottom tray.

All my prints go from the fixer to my bottom wash tray. They get a fair amount of flow and agitation from the falling water. They stay there until an opportunity arises to move a single print up to the top tray where it is washed individually for at least one minute, but no more than three minutes, in the flowing water. I then take it out and move it to the drying area.

When I'm being efficient, I can do the final stage of washing at the same time as agitating a later print in the fixer, all the while waiting to turn on the light to examine the later print.

You could probably use the item you linked to instead of drilling holes in the top tray.

Hi,

I don't use anything specific. My RC washing is usually done with a tray under a running faucet. I print, process, and bring a tray with wet print into my bathroom. With RC, only 2 to 3 minute wash is required. So I wash it by hand and inspect the print while I'm at it. Then to a flat surface with a towel. Squeegee and inspect again.

It gives me time to really check the print before making another one.

Matt - thanks again. An interesting and efficent method you have using stacked trays!

tkamiya - I used to use the same method years ago when I started but found it to be too labour extensive.

I often wonder what the overflow rate per minute has to be? In say a 1 litre tray how often does the water have to change in those 2 mins in the wash which is the minimum suggested by Ilford?

I have an upright Nova washer which when full holds about 1 litre and it can be made to flow very rapidly but I often wonder if I am wasting water. Would an overflow of 1/2 litre per min be enough so the water changed completely in 2 mins or could the overflow be much slower?


pentaxuser

I use the Paterson washer. It works well. It depends on print size, how many can be washed at one time. I tend to keep RC prints in a tray of water until I'm finished printing. I then give them 2 mins each in the Paterson unit. It's a simple device that works well. I don't have experience of the other type. Alex

Alex Muir said:

I use the Paterson washer. It works well. It depends on print size, how many can be washed at one time. I tend to keep RC prints in a tray of water until I'm finished printing. I then give them 2 mins each in the Paterson unit. It's a simple device that works well. I don't have experience of the other type. Alex

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Does the water flow out of the washer trough a hose or trough a series of holes?

The water drains through a hose. I sit mine on the draining board next to my laundry sink. The drain hose sits in the sink.

Thank you. This looks to be the main difference compared to Kaiser. The hose makes it much more convenient I would think.

pentaxuser said:

I often wonder what the overflow rate per minute has to be? In say a 1 litre tray how often does the water have to change in those 2 mins in the wash which is the minimum suggested by Ilford?

I have an upright Nova washer which when full holds about 1 litre and it can be made to flow very rapidly but I often wonder if I am wasting water. Would an overflow of 1/2 litre per min be enough so the water changed completely in 2 mins or could the overflow be much slower?


pentaxuser

Click to expand...

Good question, partially answered here: http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=296&garpg=4

Thanks miha. I had read this very informative article before but had forgotten what it had said on water movement by replacement. It is still quite a high rate if I have understood things correctly. Maybe i am not wasting water after all.

pentaxuser

Totally agree, The Kodak Tray Siphon is a most efficient wash set up when mounted on a slightly larger tray. I usually float a soft sponge on top to keep the prints under the water and place the prints back to back to maximize the flow over their surfaces.