Tray development - single sheet agitation

Sanjay Sen · Nov 26, 2007

In the interests of avoiding scratching my (8x10) negs, I'd like to develop only one sheet at a time. My question is: how do you agitate a single sheet when tray processing?

If it matters, I shoot Ilford FP4+ and develop in Pyrocat-HD, in 12x16 trays (I know, the normal recommendation is one size up, 11x14).

Any and all suggestions much appreciated. Thank you.

Best wishes,
Sanjay

Vaughn · Nov 26, 2007

I slip the sheet in emulsion side down, flip it over a few times (an odd number of times, actually) and then push it down to the bottom emulsion up. I then randomly lift various corners of the tray until it has baked for the proper time.

Vaughn

richard ide · Nov 26, 2007

Hi Sanjay
You will get very even development if you raise one side of the tray about an inch then do the same with the other 3 sides and repeat. About every 5 to 10 seconds change sides. Just a gentle lift and then let down. I used this method with great success for some films which did not take kindly to tank processing such as Technical Pan.

Sanjay Sen · Nov 26, 2007

Thanks, Vaughn and Richard.

One other question: I usually go for the 10 seconds / minute agitation 'rule'; with a single sheet, does the agitation have to be continuous?

Thank you for your suggestions.

Best wishes,
Sanjay

richard ide · Nov 27, 2007

Sanjay,
I do not see any reason why it should be. When I was developing Tech Pan I used continuous agitation but only because that film was difficult to develop evenly.

RoBBo · Nov 27, 2007

Emulsion side up, always.
Slosh it around a bit, when it sticks to the bottom of the tray, gently pull it away, and continue sloshing.
Rock out to some Rolling Stones or Ryan Adams.
Never not had a perfect neg.

Vaughn · Nov 27, 2007

Sanjay Sen said:
One other question: I usually go for the 10 seconds / minute agitation 'rule'; with a single sheet, does the agitation have to be continuous?Best wishes,
Sanjay

Yes...continuous is the "rule" for sheet film and tray development. And as a result, development times are shorter than with the same film and intermittant development. Times given for tray development assume constant agitation.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken, and I have used semi-stand development a few times where I have let the neg sit in dilute developer for 30 minutes without agitation. I was surprised that it actually worked...the negs look great, but I have not printed them yet, so I might be wrong (again!)

Vaughn

After reading Richard's post I realize that I also lift by the sides of the tray, as well as the corners.

gainer · Nov 27, 2007

You might think about using a paper safe as a daylight developing tank for sheet film as long as you are doing one at a time by the sloshing method. Even the cheap ones are water tight. Get one that has the lid that covers the whole tray.

Jim Noel · Nov 27, 2007

Gainer,
That is a terrific idea. Why didn't you tell me that 50 years ago? It would have saved so much time in the dark.
Jim

gainer · Nov 27, 2007

Well, I did post it here some time ago, and got the same response. Things get lost in the many forums and posts of APUG, but it can't be helped.

Colin Corneau · Nov 27, 2007

How much shorter are development times for (continuous) tray development than for regular methods?

Also, would a Jobo-type system have similar times to continuous tray, since it is constantly turning/agitating?

thanx from a newbie...

Jon Shiu · Nov 27, 2007

Hi, you may also want to try brush development. Use a wide foam brush to lightly brush the neg in the tray. I think Jorge originally posted something about this.

Jon

Vaughn · Nov 27, 2007

Colin Corneau said:
How much shorter are development times for (continuous) tray development than for regular methods?
Also, would a Jobo-type system have similar times to continuous tray, since it is constantly turning/agitating?QUOTE]

Off the top of my head, I think constant agitation times can be about 70% of the intermitient agitation times...take a peek at some film data sheets -- they usually give both times. Yes, Jobo is considered continious agitation, so it would be close to continious trays, but testing is needed to determine your best time for any particular lighting/exposure situation. I would think a Jobo gives more vigorous agitation, so the times may be a little shorter (but there are other factors in play -- less total developer, more oxygenation (SP?) of the developer in a Jobo, for example.

Vaughn

Lee L · Nov 27, 2007

Jon Shiu said:
Hi, you may also want to try brush development. Use a wide foam brush to lightly brush the neg in the tray. I think Jorge originally posted something about this.

Jon

IIRC, brush development goes back at least to late 19th century astrophotographers, who did photometrics off their plates for magnitude comparison and variable star measurement and classification. They used soft bristle brushes to insure even development across the field.

Lee

Neanderman · Nov 28, 2007

Sanjay Sen said:
In the interests of avoiding scratching my (8x10) negs, I'd like to develop only one sheet at a time. My question is: how do you agitate a single sheet when tray processing?

I presoak in water for a minute or so, then slip the film into the developer, emulsion side up. I agitate pretty aggressively, just short of having the developer slosh out of the tray. I start by lifting one end of the tray then setting it down, working with the flow of the solution to get a nice wave pattern going. Occasionally I will switch and lift one side of the tray for a while, then switch back to the end.

I've never done the 4 corner thing and have never had a problem with unevenness except when I've accidentally put the film in emulsion side down.

I use a liter of chemistry in a 10x13 tray.

Ed

Raghu Kuvempunagar · May 21, 2021

gainer said:
You might think about using a paper safe as a daylight developing tank for sheet film as long as you are doing one at a time by the sloshing method. Even the cheap ones are water tight. Get one that has the lid that covers the whole tray.

Can someone who has used this method explain to me how this works for daylight development of sheet film? How would you pour in and pour out developer from it in daylight?

Edit: Apart from Gainer, @138S has used this method I believe. Hope @138S can respond.

Tray development - single sheet agitation

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency