SP-645?

mshchem · Apr 17, 2023

tim48v said:
In case you've ever wondered what a mold looks like, here's an exploded view of the mold for the SP-645 tank. Click the photo for more info.

View attachment 332484

Tooling is expensive!!

tim48v · Apr 18, 2023

Actually, the Yankee tank was one of the motivations for inventing the SP-445! It wasn't just the fact that it uses way too much chemistry, (and that I seldom process twelve sheets at a time.) I was never happy with the agitation, or lack thereof. (Try inverting your yankee tank!) Granted, it was designed for the days of newspapers that had to process a lot of film in a hurry and image quality wasn't a major concern.

Frankly, compared to the cost of a box of Kodak sheet film, the cost of the SP-645 is in the noise...

BTW, the sample arrived yesterday and the new texture is wonderful! We should finish testing this week; units available in late May.

Donald Qualls · Apr 19, 2023

The instructions with the Yankee Agitank have sideways arrows that I first interpreted to mean I should slide the tank sharply toward one end and then the other, but after slopping developer all over my darikroom counter my first time using it, I figured out that the arrows were indicating I should tilt the tank, alternately, toward one end and then the other. The legs are sized to control this motion so that even with a full 1.65 L for 4x5, it doesn't slop out at all, and the development seems even to my eye.

That said, it really only makes sense if you shoot A LOT of sheet film or use a replenished developer (I'm in the latter category). If I didn't already have the Yankee, I'm sure I'd be adjusting my photography budget to get the SP-645.

blee1996 · Dec 3, 2023

After using the Yankee tank and Mod54 in Paterson, I finally reached out to my PayPal and ordered the SP-645. I also use Grafmatic and need to process 6 sheets at a time. The Yankee is fine with B&W and stand development, but not possible for C41/E6 due to lack of proper agitation. The Mod54, even after several runs, still feel a bit tricky to load. SP-645 looks like a clever design for easy loading and will use less chemicals, so I'm willing to give it a try.

blee1996 · Dec 9, 2023

Developed first 6 sheets of B&W in the SP-645: perfect results! Even development, no leakage, and uses only 600ML chemistry. And the loading was easy and confident too.

Really like the design and implementation.: kudos to the originality!

Orchid and shadows (Heliar 210/4.5, Ilford Delta 100, F76+ 1+9)

ZetaPhotography · Jun 15, 2024

Anyone use one? Thought about buying one

ZetaPhotography · Jul 17, 2024

blee1996 said:
Developed first 6 sheets of B&W in the SP-645: perfect results! Even development, no leakage, and uses only 600ML chemistry. And the loading was easy and confident too.

Really like the design and implementation.: kudos to the originality!

Orchid and shadows (Heliar 210/4.5, Ilford Delta 100, F76+ 1+9)

Have you tried loading in a Jobo instead and use less chemicals?

blee1996 · Jul 17, 2024

ZetaPhotography said:
Have you tried loading in a Jobo instead and use less chemicals?

I have never used Jobo. The main concern is that my guest bathroom is small with little counter space surrounding the sink. The Jobo tank with motor base might be too big. The SP-645 is tiny for what it does. 600ml is not too much for b&w chemicals with single use. For color, I always reuse 1L chemicals.

Donald Qualls · Jul 18, 2024

blee1996 said:
The SP-645 is tiny for what it does. 600ml is not too much for b&w chemicals with single use. For color, I always reuse 1L chemicals.

I agree, 600 ml is not much liquid for six sheets. In fact, it's the least liquid per sheet of any sheet film processing system I know of.

Mick Fagan · Jul 18, 2024

Donald Qualls said:
I agree, 600 ml is not much liquid for six sheets. In fact, it's the least liquid per sheet of any sheet film processing system I know of.

Sort of Donald.

The Jobo 2520 drum holds 6 sheets of 4x5" film for 270ml of chemistry with rotary processing. I always used 300ml and 4 sheets of film when rotary processing with that tank and reel combination.

For inversion processing with that tank, 1,500ml of chemistry; a very big difference.

I love my SP-445 tank, I use approximately 460-470ml of chemistry. In fact I fill the tank up to the little tab that can be seen when looking down into the filler hole. Haven't had any real issues with this original Kickstarter tank.

Donald Qualls · Jul 19, 2024

Constant agitation as in rotary processing, however, limits the ability to control contrast and boost speed via control of agitation interval.

SP-645?

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