Pyro development in stainless tanks

[Ronald Moravec]

I started pyro development using the procedures outlined in Gordon Hutchings "Book of Pyro". That is deep tanks and a lift rod. I used three 8 reel Nikkor tanks held in a fixture.

Developer went in fairly clear, came out all oxidised. I worked fine but i got tired of the dark.

Looking to other solutions, I tried a normal 8 ox 35 mm single reel stainless Nikor tank. Fill the tank with developer, drop the loaded reel in under dark conditions, cap and invert.

Film came out beautifully and the developer did not oxidize because there was little air. The time had to be shortened 30% because the developer remained fresh.

The next step was 4x5 film in a JOBO drum and hand agitate by inverson.
Same basic procedure except I had to add more devloper after the top was added to fill the large air spce in Jobo tank tops which is normally an advantage, but not here. 1400 cc total I believe, 1100 to start and 300 more after the top was on.

One inversion per 15 sec for both set ups.

 

[Ian Grant]

I tried a normal 8 ox 35 mm single reel stainless Nikor tank. .

8 ox in a developing tank, that's a HUGE tank

I dont understand the "I used three 8 reel Nikkor tanks held in a fixture." surely you only need to use the spirals ?

Your issue seems to be oxidation which is a big problem with Pyrogallol based developers, rotary processing gives the greatest Developer/air interface and is why some developers are poor in a rotary Jobo.

Ian

 

[Rick A]

I use Pyrocat-HD in a single 35mm SS tank with good results, and 120 in a single tank(2x35mm)also great results. I am fairly agressive with agitation, 30 sec initial followed by 10 twisting inversions per one minute throughout the specified time. I've tried one load of 4x5 in a plastic tank, taco style, results look very good so far. Developer appears exhausted, and very brown.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Is there a question there? I've used ABC and PMK in stainless tanks and trays, no problem. I've occasionally used ABC in hard rubber deep tanks, and that also works fine.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I have heard of advice like add more A half way though a rotary tank rig in a jobo, because the developing agent degrades quickly in high air contact situations.