Tray developing 4X5

[Gerry M]

When tray developing 4X5, is it necessary to rock/slosh the tray? If I am using the Kodak negative holder that takes four 4X5's, can the negatives be left in it for drying? If so, is it best to stand it vertical, or lay it flat? I am using 8X10 trays.

Thanks,

Gerry

 

[M Stat]

Remove the negatives after processing and wash and hang them in a dust free environment.

 

[Jim Noel]

Yes, you need to rock the tray.

 

[wiltw]

When developing any film in any format, the primary principle behind agitation is so that fresh solution is brought to the emulsion, moving away the depleting solution that was in contact with the film. So, yes, you need some form of agitation...whether lifting film holder out of solution and then placing it back (in the case of vertical hangers) or in tray processing. Rocking/sloshing the tray should be sufficient.
A very long time ago I used to process a stack of sheetfilm, pulling the bottom sheet out and placing it on top of the stack, a continuous leafing action thru the entire stack, for the entire processing time. Kodak agitation assumed sheet films agitated 1x/min., and you could do continuous agitation by adjusting the developing number by 3 (similar to assuming 74 degree processing rather than 68 degree processing)

 

[summicron1]

and yes, you can leave the negs in the film holders to dry. I just hang them from a clothes line.

 

[fotch]

I would remove from the film holders and hang from a corner. The holders are U shaped & may not drain every drop out quickly for drying.

 

[removed account4]

when i used hangers to process film
i was warned by an expert to remove them from the hangers
because the emulsion could stick to them, not sure if this is true or not
but i followed the advice.
is there worry of streaking with a 4-up film holder?
i know when using them in deep tanks there is risk of streaking
if it isn't put in gently ...

have fun !
john

 

[Gerry M]

Many Thanks to all for your input. I made so many mistakes with the first 4 that I'm sure this advice will be a big improvement.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Yes, you need to rock the tray.

That's how I started with 4x5 too but eventuallyI bought a Jobo drum to develop 6 4x5s at a time;much easier to deal with

 

[Gerry M]

That's how I started with 4x5 too but eventuallyI bought a Jobo drum to develop 6 4x5s at a time;much easier to deal with

That's on my wish list!

 

[M Carter]

I'm curious - why do some people prefer to tray-process 4x5?

I bought a small 4x5 sheet film tank years ago to try my hand at E6 and still have it. It's so damn convenient and does a great job, easy to load with a few minutes practice. And then you turn the lights back on!

Not trying to be a smartass here, just wondering if I'm unaware of some benefit to trays (other than lith film under safelights) when a tank is really pretty affordable. Is it when you only have a couple sheets and don't want to use that much chemistry?

I like to process 1 or 2 sheets and evaluate the dev time vs. brackets before doing the rest, but I re-use the developer until it's near its total sheet exhaustion limit.

 

[Wayne]

Some people...like me..like doing things with our hands. I enjoy the hands on, tactile quality of tray development. There are also advantages in being able to develop sheets different amounts-you don't have to develop the whole stack the same. Though I generally do develop them all the same I have on occasion slipped one out early or held it back longer than the others. Also x-ray film can be developed by inspection under red safelights. And probably other reasons that didn't pop into my head right away