This week I received an SP-445 from Freestyle Photo, and put it through it paces. Here is a two-part video on my process and results:
In summary:
Pro's:
Uses less chemical than a Yankee-style tank (about 475-500 mL).
Permits processing of up to 4 sheets simultaneously.
Permits daylight processing with only a changing bag; good for those without a true darkroom.
Permits thermometer to be inserted in fill port to monitor temperature during processing (Not certain of value of this feature; I assume this is only relevant during stand development, as otherwise you'd be constantly removing the thermometer and capping the fill port to perform periodic agitation. And you wouldn't want to pre-fill the tank with chemistry prior to inserting film holders, as this would otherwise defeat the purpose of using a changing bag).
Good uniformity of development.
Reasonable price compared to rotary processing (especially if you include the price of even a manual rotary base).
Permits stand development - not possible on a rotary system.
Good rinse methodology, of removing both fill/vent caps and rinsing the film in-situ; this also rinses residual chemistry from tank and internal components.
Con's:
Filled with liquid, is top-heavy, can easily fall over. Would be nice to have a wide support base.
Easily leaks from lid o-ring seal, especially with developer (base-pH solution has less surface tension); minimized by squeezing tank before tightening caps.
Scratches edges of film along both long sides (not a deal-breaker, as these are in the rebate under the film holder rails); but also leaves a 1/8" deep rectangular scratch near edge of short side, due to retainer clip on film holder, that requires a bit of image cropping in printing or scanning.
In one instance I had a sheet dislodge from film holder during rapid fixer agitation; one must be careful not to agitate excessively.
Film holders seem very thin and flimsy, potentially easily breakable.
Removable baffles seem thin and easily breakable; not certain of replacement parts for these items.
450mL minimal level indicator line (as listed in instruction sheet) is not apparent on my sample. I instead measured my chemistry volume using a graduated cylinder.
Sample results captured with Anniversary Speed Graphic and Fujinon 135-5.6 lens; using Arista EDU Ultra 200 film rated at ISO200 and processed in SP-445 using HC-110B mixed 1+31 from syrup, developed for 3:30:
Stearman Press SP-445 Test, Arista EDU Ultra 200, HC-110-B by
Joe Van Cleave, on Flickr
Stearman Press SP-445 Test, Arista EDU Ultra 200, HC-110-B by
Joe Van Cleave, on Flickr
These were "scanned" at low resolution on light table using mirrorless camera, processed to positive using Filterstorm app on iPad and not spotted at all.