Print washer for film?

[Shootar401]

Is there any reason why I can't use an 8x10 print washer with 8x10 film? Would I be in danger of scratching the emulsion? Are they not as efficient?

I'd like to have a combo film and print washer due to my smaller darkroom setup, but I don't know if they are interchangeable.

Thanks

 

[wildbill]

Yes. people do it all the time.
can you take out the dividers and fit the film into the slots?

 

[Maris]

I've used my Paterson Major archival print washer for some decades to wash 8x10 film with no problems at all. The agitation mechanism doesn't hurt the film during the 20 minute wash cycle I use.

 

[ROL]

No reason, other than anal retentive tendencies. Just be careful to keep the emulsion side away from the compartment dividers. The film can be hung, by its clip or pin between dividers to avoid this, also making extraction easy.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

I fashioned a pair of brass hanging rods for my 16x20 Versalab washer. I threaded small nylon spacer cylinders onto the rods. I then remove the entire print dividers cage from the washer when processing 8x10 film and hang my 8x10 film hangers between the spacers on the (submerged) hanging rods.

Works like a charm. And as you say, makes the washer space do double-duty in a smaller darkroom.



Ken