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SP-645? What's the interest level in processing more than four sheets of 4x5.

Would you buy an SP-645?

  • Yes

    Votes: 16 39.0%

  • No

    Votes: 19 46.3%

  • Maybe

    Votes: 6 14.6%
  • Total voters
    41

tim48v

Partner
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Jul 6, 2015
Messages
305
Location
Erie, Colorado
Format
Large Format
We still get requests for a higher capacity version of our SP-445. Most ask for 6 sheets, some want 8; a few have asked for even more!

So we've decided to ask: do people want a SP-645: 6 sheets, 700 ml of chemistry? Price would be slightly higher, in part because it comes with three film holders.

Let us know. BTW, it would probably be March 2021 before it would be available.
 
Probably more interested in 645 than 845.
 
I voted no, when coming home from a day of photography, I rarely have more than 4 sheets of film. If I do have more than four sheets, then I process either later the same day, or on another day; being retired one works like that. I have your original version, hasn't missed a beat.

If on a trip I can come home with up to 50+ sheets, I just take my time and develop when I'm ready. On my last long trip I took a week to develop my films, don't ask how long it took to print them; that's another story.

I can see the advantage of having the ability to develop 6 sheets, but 8 sheets would start to get rather heavy and/or ungainly with the amount of chemistry sloshing around inside.

Mick.
 
Im the same as Mick. I will only take 1 to 4 (at the very maximum) sheets in a day. Whether that makes me typical or atypical i dont know; but 4 sheets is ample for me to take into the darkroom until im ready to shoot 5x4 again (i have the 4 sheet stearman too)
 
I use the Jobo Expert 3010 Drum so I can develop up to ten sheets at a time.
 
I would probably just buy a second SP-445. In reality, I don't usually have more than 4 sheets of the same film to develop at the same time.
 
I have to agree with many of the other posts that 4 sheets is my usual amount when processing. If I do get back from a long photo trip and have many sheets, I still just process in batches of 4.
 
I am not your customer base but I always develop 6 to 7 sheets in a tray at a time. That's one Grafmatic load and a sensitometry sheet.
 
I'm fine with the SP-445 (I have two). I used to use a Combi-plan, which holds 6 sheets, and I'm fine with going to 4. I rarely shoot more than 4 sheets in a day, so I'll get my results sooner this way.
 
Here's the problem with marketing surveys: we've had over 225 views and only 15 responses. Do we count the "no answer" as a "no"?
 
Well, I've viewed because I am curious and have friends with your product, but I don't use 4x5 film so haven't participated in the survey.
 
Okay, responded after the prompt. With a "no" -- the concept of the SP-445 is neat, but as a user of replenished developer (or alternatively, "almost free" home mixed one-shot soup), the large solution requirement of my Yankee Agitank is no obstacle; it's easy to load, fast to fill and drain (for its liquid capacity), easy to clean, and it slops all over if you over fill or over-agitate -- and I don't mind
 
I use 5x4 all the time in a Jobo.

I did not answer the survey because although i'm unlikely to buy any version of this tank, i would not want to discourage anyone from going into production to satisfy the needs of others.

The other thing to remember is that many of us already have some way of processing film....so your target may be "newcomers" or those looking for a new method.

Mike
 
tim48v said:
Here's the problem with marketing surveys: we've had over 225 views and only 15 responses. Do we count the "no answer" as a "no"?
Click to expand...
That would have been a spooky way of skewing statistics.

It might help with more details on the SP-645, like tank liquid capacity and actual projected cost. I have just bought SP-445 mostly because I have little choice to day-process 4x5, but to be frank pricing is on a high side, that's just something that I believe turns people off to begin with. In current SP-445 price, extra 2 holders should be included and discount offered when extras are purchased along with whole kit.
 
tim48v said:
Here's the problem with marketing surveys: we've had over 225 views and only 15 responses. Do we count the "no answer" as a "no"?
Click to expand...
No, because some people might be curious about what this topic is about. Like me.
I mostly shoot medium format, so 645 means something different to me.

So I could give an answer but it is useless for you. It is what it is, no answer. Not a yes, not a no.
Sorry for clicking
 
tim48v said:
Here's the problem with marketing surveys: we've had over 225 views and only 15 responses. Do we count the "no answer" as a "no"?
Click to expand...
Absolutely not... that is not normally done as it would be an assumption rather than a cast vote. In survey research it is understood that response rates could be as low as 10%.

As far as survey research goes, 20 data points isn’t much data. But it should give you a notion about the potential viability of such a product.
 
Last edited:

The Yankee tanks slopping over the sides is the reason I brought it back to FreeStyle and ended up with the Jobo 3010 Expert Drum which gives better and more consistent results.
 
Sirius Glass said:
The Yankee tanks slopping over the sides is the reason I brought it back to FreeStyle and ended up with the Jobo 3010 Expert Drum which gives better and more consistent results.
Click to expand...

What I found is that if I use only the amount of solution needed to cover the film -- even 1630 ml for 4x5 -- it doesn't slop. If I misread the graduations and try to put in 200 ml too much, it assuredly does. In the end, I don't wind up mopping up any more solution than I would with a stainless tank -- and it was more than a hundred dollars cheaper than the B&W King stainless setup. That's a couple boxes of 4x5 film.
 
The Stearman Press tanks are the only daylight tanks widely available that dry plates can be developed in. Glass doesn’t like being rolled up.

-Jason
 
Nodda Duma said:
The Stearman Press tanks are the only daylight tanks widely available that dry plates can be developed in. Glass doesn’t like being rolled up.

-Jason
Click to expand...

Nor even slightly curved for retention in the Yankee Agitank.
 
I voted no. Even tho if you made one I would probably purchase it. I enjoy supporting small manufacturers keeping large format viable. And I’m saving now for an additional SP-445 for glass plates.
 
tim48v said:
Here's the problem with marketing surveys: we've had over 225 views and only 15 responses. Do we count the "no answer" as a "no"?
Click to expand...

Don't count it as a "no"
I clicked on the thread as it's refers to "645" and assume your making something specific for 645 format medium format film . ( 6 x 4.5 cm ) , clearly not , so a lot of your views might be from people who are curious on what the topic is .
I have several Combi-plans already , so I wouldn't be buying one as they hold 6 sheets already .
There's clearly a market as when one comes up for sale , it's gone very quick .

What I would be in the market for is a 7"X5" version that holds 4 sheets at a time , or even just 2 sheets .
 
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