Small footprint print developing? Suggestions?

[ErosP]

Hello friends!

I'm in need of a solution to a challenge and perhaps the community can help me... yours truly is looking to experiment with using photo paper in a pinhole view camera to create a negative, then scanning the print on my computer and reversing the image to achieve my final result. What I am looking for is a daylight tank of some sort that I could use to stick my paper sheets in and batch develop them all at once using minimal chemistry. My reasons are two-fold.

1. I want to minimize any environmental impact that darkroom chemistry can create
2. many years ago I reacted to darkroom chemistry in such a bad way I had to almost give up photography until digital quality came around to something decent and allowed me to continue taking photos

I remember seeing a funky 4x5 sheet film daylight tank ages back but don't know if anything still exists. Ideally I would love to use 8x10 but that would certainly be a stretch for a tank. What comes to mind is a developing system someone marketed years ago that reminded me of a toaster but was used for prints and film. Anybody remember or know what I'm trying to describe?

Thoughts appreciated!

~!Eros

 

[MattKing]

Look up Nova Darkroom (they are in the UK). They sell Nova Print Processors.

 

[Bob-D659]

Or a Beseler 8x10 print drum. You only need 75ml of chemistry per 8x10 piece of paper, or 4 4x5 pieces.

 

[presspass]

The Nova slot processors are wonderful but not cheap. I have used them for more than 10 years. They work well with RC paper; I think there's also one that works with fiber-based paper, but have no experience with it. I have a four-slot processor that includes a wash tank - all one unit, small footprint for up to 11X14; they also make them for 8x10. They are not, however, for batch processing - one sheet at a time. As to funky 4x5 tank, you may be thinking of the Yankee. Google it and see what comes up.