Processing 2x3 (6x9 cm) sheet film

[EASmithV]

For those of you who do it, how do you do it? I'm getting really tired of taco-developing, and I really dislike tray developing.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've done it in trays, with deep tanks and hangers, and with the Nikor sheet film tank. They all work.

 

[ic-racer]

Jobo 2518 reels will do 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 sheets. The 2509 does 6x9 sheets. So it depends on the exact size you are shooting.

 

[Bob-D659]

Modified an old Ansco tank with a groove to hold the movable flange at the right spot.

 

[Oren Grad]

Jobo 3006 drum.

 

[JPD]

Combiplan tank.

 

[ricksplace]

Modified an old Ansco tank with a groove to hold the movable flange at the right spot.

I do the same thing. If you use plastic reels, take an adjustable reel and set it at the point where the sheets will slide into the reel easily. Glue the reel at that point. You will have to work the sheets in to the reel since the ratcheting action won't work when the reel is glued. It's not a problem.

I can get six sheets in to the reel just by working them in with my fingers. Pop it in the tank, and process like roll film.

Rick.

 

[2F/2F]

I have done it in 5x7 and 4x5 trays, and also borrowed my friend's Combi Plan tank, which you can get from Freestyle. I liked the tank, though it does use a lot of solution and take a while to pour. The film turned out fine, though.

 

[JPD]

..and also borrowed my friend's Combi Plan tank, which you can get from Freestyle. I liked the tank, though it does use a lot of solution and take a while to pour. The film turned out fine, though.

Here's a faster way to fill it:

http://www.photax.se/mrkr/dsr/combiplan.htm

It works well, but I seldom bother to use this method since I prefer longer developing times, like with Rodinal 1+100, and never get uneven developed negs.

 

[panastasia]

I have done it in 5x7 and 4x5 trays....

I use 5x7 trays. Someone on another thread was asking about where to find 4x5 trays. Where did you find those?

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[ChuckP]

Nikor sheet film tank. Very expensive nowadays. Glad I got mine a few years back.

 

[2F/2F]

I use 5x7 trays. Someone on another thread was asking about where to find 4x5 trays. Where did you find those?

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I looked for a long time and never found them. I pretty well gave up. Then, I got three by chance from a friend. She had bought a $150 darkroom setup advertised in our local Craig's List classifieds, and the 4x5 trays were included. I got so excited that she just gave them to me.

 

[DannL]

I develop two sheets of 6.5x9 at a time in a Jobo 1520 type tank. Remove the reels from the tank, toss aside. Put the center fill-post back into the tank. While supporting the fill-post, insert one sheet of film into the tank with the emulsion side facing away from the fill-post. Insert another sheet into the tank on the opposite side of the fill-post in the same manner. Cap and fill your tank to the top of the fill-post with developer. Develop as normal.

 

[aoresteen]

I have a sheet film reel that does 6 sheets and process it in a daylight tank. I also have used an old Yankee sheet film tank.

 

[nworth]

The Jobo works best for me. The Nikkor tank should work well if you can find one. I used one a few times many years ago, and I was quite happy with it. I have used the Yankee tank many times, but I've been getting inconsistent, splotchy results sometimes with 2X3 sheets. I haven't tried the Combiplan tank, but it also takes that film size.