Stand Processing with BTZS film processing

donbga · Jun 29, 2006

I'm curious to know if anyone has attempted stand processing with BTZS film processing tubes.

I know that Sandy King has worked with lengths of PVC placed in color film processing drums and I was think about a similar strategy with the BTZS film tubes. I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't work.

Dave Miller · Jun 29, 2006

Would the whole negative remain covered during the stand period? My understanding of this system is that they are only covered by the rotating action, am I wrong?

donbga · Jun 29, 2006

Dave Miller said:
Would the whole negative remain covered during the stand period? My understanding of this system is that they are only covered by the rotating action, am I wrong?

Dave,

Yes the entire tube would be covered by developer. There would be no rotating action involved.

Dave Miller · Jun 29, 2006

donbga said:
Dave,

Yes the entire tube would be covered by developer. There would be no rotating action involved.

In that case Don I can't see any reason why it shouldn't work either.

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 29, 2006

Dave Miller said:
Would the whole negative remain covered during the stand period? My understanding of this system is that they are only covered by the rotating action, am I wrong?

Dave, the idea, as I understand it, is to use a color processing drum (like a Unicolor Drum) as a light-tight developing tank that can hold several ABS tubes - each loaded with a sheet of film and open so that the processing solutions can readily flow through them.

reellis67 · Jun 29, 2006

I've done it with a 4-reel stainless steel tank and with a Jobo tank - as long as the film is covered the whole time, you should be fine.

- Randy

Dave Miller · Jun 29, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
Dave, the idea, as I understand it, is to use a color processing drum (like a Unicolor Drum) as a light-tight developing tank that can hold several ABS tubes - each loaded with a sheet of film and open so that the processing solutions can readily flow through them.

Yes, that is my understanding, but surely, unless the drum is completly full when stopped, some of the tubes will be high, and dry while other will be immersed. Not much good for stand development; or am I missing something.

Dave Miller · Jun 29, 2006

Thinking further about this, if as Randy suggests only one, or two tubes were used then they would stay at the bottom of the drum in the fluid.

donbga · Jun 29, 2006

Dave Miller said:
Thinking further about this, if as Randy suggests only one, or two tubes were used then they would stay at the bottom of the drum in the fluid.

Dave,

All of the tubes would have equal height in the drum, which would be only partially filled with developer ( enough to cover the tubes by an inch or two.)

FYI, an 8x10 Unicolor drum will hold three 4x5 BTZS tubes and an 11x14 drum will hold four but requires a lot more developer.

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 29, 2006

Dave Miller said:
Thinking further about this, if as Randy suggests only one, or two tubes were used then they would stay at the bottom of the drum in the fluid.

I believe that was the intent - as I recall, Sandy was describing a multi-sheet (Room Lights On) Stand Developing method (not a rotary processing method) using one plastic tube with no end caps for each sheet of film. Of course, sufficient developer would be required to cover and fill all the tubes in the tank.

For only one or two sheets of film it is more efficient to use individual tubes (made of ABS plastic pipe) with Light Trap fill & dump end caps.

k_jupiter · Jun 30, 2006

Tom Hoskinson said:
I believe that was the intent - as I recall, Sandy was describing a multi-sheet (Room Lights On) Stand Developing method (not a rotary processing method) using one plastic tube with no end caps for each sheet of film. Of course, sufficient developer would be required to cover and fill all the tubes in the tank.

For only one or two sheets of film it is more efficient to use individual tubes (made of ABS plastic pipe) with Light Trap fill & dump end caps.

I use flourescent light protectors, cut to length, placed in a Patterson tank. One sheet to a tube, four tubes to a load. I have done stand with it, most times, my sheet exposure is more controlled and I don't need the benefits stand would give me. I find stand works best with 120 rolls of film where I might need the evening out that different exposures in highly contrast situations require. While in theory, BTZS tubes should work, there are better ways to stand develop your sheet film.

tim in san jose

sanking · Jun 30, 2006

donbga said:
I'm curious to know if anyone has attempted stand processing with BTZS film processing tubes.

I know that Sandy King has worked with lengths of PVC placed in color film processing drums and I was think about a similar strategy with the BTZS film tubes. I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't work.

Don,

Sure it will work, if you stand the drums on end. However, using individual tubes this way seems cumbersome to me, regardless of whether you load the film or the developer first, and becomes more cumbersome if you process several sheets of film at once. I personally find it much easier to just load open-ended PVC tubes with film, them plop the loaded tubes all at once into the developer in a print drum, in vertical orientation. Just make sure that you fill the drum with developer so that the top of the tubes will be covered. Then you place the lid on the drum, agitate for 1.5 minutes and then just go away until the next agitation period. After the lid goes on the drum everything can be done with the lights on. This has become my standard method of development for 5X7 sheet film. I usually use this method for minimal and extreme-minimal types of agitation, sometimes for stand.

Sandy

Donald Miller · Jun 30, 2006

donbga said:
I'm curious to know if anyone has attempted stand processing with BTZS film processing tubes.

I know that Sandy King has worked with lengths of PVC placed in color film processing drums and I was think about a similar strategy with the BTZS film tubes. I can't think of any reason why it shouldn't work.

Don,

I have used this extensively. I did, however, develop a tube design that is three piece and that assures that the entire sheet of film is immersed in developer when it is standing on end. This design allows the film to be removed easily when needed and is a real benefit when using a film like Efke which is easily damaged.

I use individual tubes and process multiple sheets at one time. My tempered water bath is based on a plastic tub that I purchased at Lowes.

donbga · Jun 30, 2006

Donald Miller said:
Don,

I have used this extensively. I did, however, develop a tube design that is three piece and that assures that the entire sheet of film is immersed in developer when it is standing on end. This design allows the film to be removed easily when needed and is a real benefit when using a film like Efke which is easily damaged.

I use individual tubes and process multiple sheets at one time. My tempered water bath is based on a plastic tub that I purchased at Lowes.

Well I can easily stand process film in Unicolor drums, but only two sheets of 4x5 or 5x7 at a time or 1 8x10. My biggest complaint is removing the wet film at the end of the development cycle, thus my interest in the BTZS tubes. Sandy showed me his method of stand development using PVC tubes in a paint can , very niffty and ingenious. I'm just trying not to bring more stuff into my darkroom.

Donald Miller · Jun 30, 2006

donbga said:
Well I can easily stand process film in Unicolor drums, but only two sheets of 4x5 or 5x7 at a time or 1 8x10. My biggest complaint is removing the wet film at the end of the development cycle, thus my interest in the BTZS tubes. Sandy showed me his method of stand development using PVC tubes in a paint can , very niffty and ingenious. I'm just trying not to bring more stuff into my darkroom.

Don,

The tube design that I came up with is three piece for the reason that you mentioned. In this design, the film extends past the tube body itself and is then fully enclosed by the extension and ultimately the cap. This allows the tubes to be used in conventional agitation and also in stand development procedures.

Stand Processing with BTZS film processing

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