Plastic Vs Steel Tanks

CMoore · Dec 28, 2017

Compared to plastic...I have only used my steel tanks a few times. But it does seem like it takes A Lot longer to get the liquid into the metal tanks.
Is this what you guys experience also.?
I am not sure of the exact time, but at least twice as long. It takes me so much longer that i was wondering about when to start my time on the clock.

Konical · Dec 28, 2017

Good Evening, CMoore,

If you're using a tank which holds only one or two reels (16- oz. tank), it probably won't make enough difference to worry about unless the developing time is extremely short. With tanks holding three or four 120 reels or as many as eight 35mm reels, the fill/dump times could become a factor.

Easy solution: Turn off the lights, pop the tank top, fill with developer, replace the top, and turn on the lights. After development, dumping can be done in a similar manner. This is really only for the developer and water/stop bath fill parts of the process. If your film washer is close by, just lift the reels out of the developer and drop them in and let the residual developer wash away while you dump the tank and wash it out; if you prefer stop bath, dump it into the tank, drop the reels back in, and proceed as with the developer step. This is not really difficult to do in the dark. With fixer and wash aid, timing, as long as it is at least adequate, is normally not critical.

Konical

CMoore · Dec 28, 2017

Yes.....Right.
That is exactly what i finely figured out the last time i used my steel tanks.
It seems like the opening is so small that you have to go slow, and also that the developer creates a "Bubble" as it goes in the top of the tank, and that makes pouring hard to do as well.
Anyway....yeah, doing the developer in the dark worked fine.
Thanks Again

removed account4 · Dec 28, 2017

hi cmoore
my hallmate used to tell me that
metal tanks transfer hand-heat and
warm developer and film when you are agitating it.
i never found this to be a problem but people smarter than me
have ... so YMMV .. i have cold hands so maybe it doesn't count with me ?

MattKing · Dec 28, 2017

Metal tanks fill more quickly if you tip them slightly.
I use the small cap as a stand for one edge - adds about a 15 degree slant that makes things work better.

Sirius Glass · Dec 28, 2017

I have used both but I like the metal tanks better. They fill and empty faster. Also they use Hewes reels. That said I use the plastic Jobo reels when using the Jobo processor.

jim10219 · Dec 28, 2017

My steel Omega tanks want to leak a bit, so I have to tape the lids down. But they are really old, and other than that, they work really well. I imagine they’ll last 100 years if taken care of. The plastic ones don’t leak nearly as easily, but they’re also not as durable over the long haul. I also like the metal reels better. I think they’re easier to load and you don’t have to worry if you drop them on a concrete floor.

I don’t think the real world differences between them are all that large. I’d be willing to bet that most people prefer which ever one they are most experienced with.

bdial · Dec 29, 2017

You should be able to fill or empty a 2 (35mm) reel metal tank in about 10 seconds. If it's taking longer and you're are getting a lot of bubbling tip the tank more as you fill and pour into the low side of the center part opening.

Actually, dropping a metal reel on a concrete floor is a very good way to ruin it, especially a thin 35mm reel, any bends can be difficult to spot and more difficult to correct, but will cause jamming when you load the film.

voceumana · Dec 29, 2017

The Paterson plastic tanks fill and empty very fast--it is one reason why I usually prefer them over metal.

CMoore · Dec 29, 2017

voceumana said:
The Paterson plastic tanks fill and empty very fast--it is one reason why I usually prefer them over metal.

Yeah, they are way faster than the metal tanks. With the Paterson, you can pour a container of liquid, straight down that big tube.

markbarendt · Dec 29, 2017

When you start and stop the clock is irrelevant as long as you do it the same way each time.

Like Matt I find tilting the tank makes things easier and quicker.

bvy · Dec 29, 2017

With a funnel, I can get 600ml of solution into a steel tank in under five seconds.

Patrick Robert James · Dec 30, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I have used both but I like the metal tanks better. They fill and empty faster. Also they use Hewes reels. That said I use the plastic Jobo reels when using the Jobo processor.

This must be from your Sirius alternate universe theory.

No metal tank I have ever used filled faster than a plastic one. I can fill a JOBO 5 reel tank in maybe three/four seconds. Literally just pour the developer right in. If you try that with a steel tank it burps and pukes all over the place. The Kindermann four reel stainless tanks I have, which I use for color, take at least 12 or so seconds minimum even when tilted. Still there are some advantages to using steel depending on the process you are using.

Vaughn · Dec 30, 2017

I like the SS lids for my SS tanks. They can be much faster (pouring in/out) than the plastic lids, as the metal lids are usually designed to vent air out of the tank via a seperate opening as developer is being poured in. Lid design differs brand-to-brand, some are faster than others. As Mark suggested, it is being consistent in one's methods and timing that counts. I put an extra 15 seconds on the timer and start the timer just before I start to pour in the developer. By the time I carefully grab the tank and the jug of developer, pour it all in (one liter), and put the cap on the lid, the 15 seconds has passed and I have started my agitation.

Sirius Glass · Dec 30, 2017

Patrick Robert James said:
This must be from your Sirius alternate universe theory.

No metal tank I have ever used filled faster than a plastic one. I can fill a JOBO 5 reel tank in maybe three/four seconds. Literally just pour the developer right in. If you try that with a steel tank it burps and pukes all over the place. The Kindermann four reel stainless tanks I have, which I use for color, take at least 12 or so seconds minimum even when tilted. Still there are some advantages to using steel depending on the process you are using.

Since I got the Jobo processor I only use the Jobo tanks.

rpavich · Dec 30, 2017

bvy said:
With a funnel, I can get 600ml of solution into a steel tank in under five seconds.

I remember that post. I'm going to have to give that a whirl. I was doing a 2 reel tank and took about 12 or 14 seconds to fill it.

bvy · Dec 30, 2017

rpavich said:
I remember that post. I'm going to have to give that a whirl. I was doing a 2 reel tank and took about 12 or 14 seconds to fill it.

600ml in four seconds.

Sirius Glass · Dec 31, 2017

bvy said:
600ml in four seconds.

I always like silent movies.

mrosenlof · Dec 31, 2017

I use steel tanks. Even for the big tank that holds four 120 reels, I pour through the lid. The timing just isn't *that* tight. At least not for B/W. I have a couple of Patterson plastic tanks that I rarely use. I think they pour faster, but I find steel reels easier to load.

If using plastic lids, tilt the tank about 45 degrees when pouring in, that allows the air to vent out the top part of the light trip. My metal lids have two channels so air vents fine when the tank is vertical. For both types of lids, hold the tank horizontal to start pouring out and slowly turn to lid down as the tank empties.

Chris Livsey · Dec 31, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I always like silent movies.

The sound effects were amazing, short list for best short film next Oscars?

bvy · Dec 31, 2017

The downside of tilting... Pour marks.

Granted, this is C-41, so times are fast at just over three minutes. But it's something anyone doing C-41 in steel tanks should know about. This is what inspired me to look for a funnel to fit a steel tank.

Sirius Glass · Dec 31, 2017

bvy said:
The downside of tilting... Pour marks.
View attachment 192700

Granted, this is C-41, so times are fast at just over three minutes. But it's something anyone doing C-41 in steel tanks should know about. This is what inspired me to look for a funnel to fit a steel tank.

That is a shame. It looks like you were on a trip to southern California. Kodak always recommended never using developing times less than five minutes for black & white. That as you stated in not possible for color work. I have not had those problems with the Jobo processor. I know that the processor and tanks can be pricey but one can not put a price on consistent reliable results.

Plastic Vs Steel Tanks

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