SP-457 film developing tank for 5x7"

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I don't even own a 5x7" camera but I've pledged my $97 + shipping to this project. Once I have this I think I've worked out one of my major concerns with shooting 5x7", next up is buy a camera & holders.

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LAG

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Although that honeycomb pattern does not give me much confidence, the project sounds being a great alternative. Good luck with the camera/kit buying as well!
 

Groundloop

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Although that honeycomb pattern does not give me much confidence...

That's a response based on some users of the SP-445 having issues with the anti-halation layers of some films not clearing completely during processing. I haven't had any issues with my SP-445 so far, but I might break out the drill press and "aerate" my film holders just to be safe, considering I'm planning on testing some new films over the coming months.
 

LAG

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Is neither my case, nor my distrustful reason. Anyway it would be good to see those test.
 
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One litre of chemistry for four sheets of 5 x 7!

As the sizes increase it seems to me you'd be better off with a light tight flat bottomed tray with a clipped top, even if you have to process one sheet at a time. They'd be so much cheaper you could easily afford four. Evenness of development would also probably be less problematic. The seal also need would not need to be totally water tight.

A light trapped pour-in pour-out spout in the lid would be nice, but not absolutely essential.
 

MattKing

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tim48v

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Regarding chemical usage: our rule of thumb is 500ml/8x10; thus 1 liter = 4 sheets of 5x7 with a safety margin. Of course, you could save the developer and reuse it if you're comfortable doing that.
 
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I don't do anything like enough processing to justify replenishing, and have been rotary processing of 4 x 5 in a Jobo tank, but am about to do some 5 x 7.

I'd forgotten I had a Paterson Orbital, which was designed for processing a single sheet of 8 x 10 color paper, and will do two sheets of 5 x 7 film in the way I was envisaging. I’d tried it before for 4 x 5 and not been very impressed, but from information now more easily available online, it needs some modification to prevent the bottom of the film sticking to the bottom of the tray and not clearing, the separation pegs need extending to keep the film in place, and the fins on the top may need to come off for more even agitation.

There seem to a few people still using Paterson Orbital processors. Values on Ebay vary. An updated and improved version of a similar light tight tray tank might be a possibly simpler and useful alternative product to the SP457, especially if the manufacturer is considering moving up to 8 x 10 next. In revising the Orbital design, the bottom needs to be slightly textured, and perhaps not necessarily curved, and slightly higher sides might be a good idea. Getting tray agitation even and uniform may however still prove difficult. There seem to be mixed reports about the usefulness of the Paterson Orbital’s motor base (I don't have one), especially for larger sizes.
 

rthollenbeck

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I kicked in.

Id like to see the 8x10 realized. While there are other adaptations for 8x10, only good things can come from a purpose built 8x10 daylight tank. IMHO.

This should bring that possibility closer.
 
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