Resurrecting Type 55?

[holmburgers]

I've always wondered about Donald Quall's. He seems to be a prominent figure in the analog world and occasionally I find posts of his on APUG. His monobath is very interesting too. Is he still around?

Following the 55 project has been fun; always a pleasure to see things moving/shaking over there. Best wishes!

 

[holmburgers]

...then topcoat with release agent (soap).

Bob,

Could you share any details of this release agent? I'm looking for a method to bind two sheets of film in optical contact so that they can be released from each other easily. One sheet would be a processed sheet of slide film (screen-plate w/ TV-screen reseau) and the other would be a sheet of b&w film.

In old bi-pack & tri-packs there were patents and methods that used soap to bind the different layers. Right now I'm using gelatin w/ sorbitol which works, but is not yet ideal.

 

[BobCrowley]

Right at this moment I have samples on the bench drying with acacia/gum arabic as the release layer on two different papers. Gum arabic is nice stuff, shiny, smooth and clear, but also brittle if too thick, and needs to be dissolved in water once dried to peel away. If your layers can be soaked, maybe that will work. In our application the gum arabic presumably sits on top and never gets a chance to dry and stick.

Otherwise I have no idea: maybe you could look at some transparent tacky polymer, such as silicone, (not the kind with acetic acid, but the type used for fishtanks) if you don't need a strong bond and need to peel it. You might need a release layer for your release layer, perhaps a light film of silicone oil on one of the surfaces adjacent to the cured silicone, so it will peel away.

What's the adhesive used in clear packing tape? That peels, and is clear.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Try Caboxy Methyl Cellulose.

PE

 

[BobCrowley]

We've made a bit of progress

http://new55project.blogspot.com

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

Is Type 55 for a 545 holder, or a 550 holder ?

We are not trying to resurrect 55. We are trying to provide a high quality field processable negative system, such as 55 did provide.

If you want Panatomic X you can still order some in long rolls from Kodak, as it is still used for aero cameras. Otherwise it is not available any longer.

If you expect a duplicate of 55, that is not the goal. I am now using Efke 25 which processes quite well in reagent III which has been developed for the project. I think the two are superior to 55 in some ways.

The biggest opportunity is to make 4x5 more accessible to a greater number of people, and marketing it to a new audience of younger people just discovering 4X5.

What isn't made clear here or on the web-site is in
what format the 55 will be in ?

If it's type 55 single sheet for the 545 holder I say
hurrah & then I will even keep my Daylab, where I
can use it as well as in my Super Speed Graphic.

If it's for the type 550 holder, like what Fuji is
producing,I would be most disappointed.

I hope that it won't be necessary to carry around a
clearing bucket, as they are very expensive collectors items now.

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

See Below

Since the focus is on making a very good, sharp and detailed negative in the field, we will put the emphasis on that first. If we can get a decent positive, all that much better.

I'm sorry, but I'v just got to say it,

Very Punny !

 

[jp498]

We've made a bit of progress

http://new55project.blogspot.com

Very nice is an understatement!

 

[BobCrowley]

The materials produced are all 4x5 format. We can also produce 8x10.

 

[canuhead]

...We can also produce 8x10.

this is intriguing, do tell

btw, do you still need metal 55 end clips ? I have a few sitting in the darkroom

 

[BobCrowley]

There are never enough clips, so yes, thank you!

New55 FILM
72 Nickerson Rd
Ashland MA 01721

 

[canuhead]

sorry bob.think my last post was unclear, I don't have *55* end clips, I have several from T55 and will mail those off when I get a chance.

it's late