Rotary processing - the wrong way?

[filmamigo]

Hi folks,

I recently processed three rolls of 120 (Acros 100 and Tri-x 400) in a Patterson System 4 tank. I was a little careless, and after I loaded the tank I realized that I did not have sufficient volume of Diafine to adequately fill the tank and cover all the rolls. On a whim, I decided to try "rotary processing." By this I mean, I filled the tank with all the Diafine I had (first A, and then B, obviously.) Burping the lid to ensure a good seal, I lay the tank down on it's side, and began rolling the tank back and forth on the countertop. I would roll it from hand to hand, maybe two and a half feet, completing each roll in one to two seconds. I continued to roll the tank for the entire development period. (I use 5 minutes in Diafine.)

The results seem OK. Not perfect, I did get a couple of frames with striations or banding. But better than I expected. I feel like the results are actually less grainy than my usual agitation (5 seconds or two inversions every sixty seconds.)





I took a risk, and also counted on Diafine being fairly forgiving. I know I should trust my own results and testing, but is it too big a risk? Is there a chance that this will go really wrong next time?

Even if I adopt this method for Diafine, will it work for other developers? I've been thinking of trying HC-110 and don't know what agitation works well for it.

All thoughts and input appreciated!

 

[Rick A]

It's no big deal, people rotary process film all the time. For me, I like not having to use so much chems, 225 ml developer for 4 sheets of 4x5 in my drum, choice of D-76 (1+1), Rodinal, or PMK Pyro (my favorite). Bottom line, as long as you are happy with the results, it's all good.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

As Rick say's and I'll add that I develop all my film (35mm, 120, 4x5 and 8x10) with an old Jobo CPE +. For as many as 6 sheets (1reel) of 4x5 or 2 rolls (1 reel) of 120 requires 8 Oz of developer. I dilute Xtol 1+1 so I actually use 4 Oz stock.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use replenished XTOL, Rollo Pyro, and Unicolor 1 liter kit in my Jobo CPP2 to process 35mm, 120, and 4"x5" sheet film [3010 Expert Drum].

 

[filmamigo]

Great, thanks for the feedback folks!

 

[nikonfm3a]

When you do rotary processing, you need to make sure you have enough chemistry to cover the most inner part of the film reel when the tank is in horizontal position.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When you do rotary processing, you need to make sure you have enough chemistry to cover the most inner part of the film reel when the tank is in horizontal position.

The Jobo tanks have the needed volumes for various number of rolls printed on the side of the tank.

 

[Pioneer]

I use 650 ml to develop 5 rolls of 135/36 in my Patterson System 5 tank. Far more economical and works just as well. As long as there is enough developer for the amount of film you have there should be no problem.

 

[CropDusterMan]

I have one of the Jobo 2501 tanks, and I do PMK hand-rotary processing of 4x5 film...I fill the sink with water
and add the prescribed amount of Chem for the tank, then it floats sideways in the sink and I do my constant
agitation in each direction alternating CW & CCW...works great. I think it's only about 250ml of mix.