tray size and chemistry volume

temujin

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2006
Messages
49
Format
Medium Format
hi all, i have slowly been putting together equipment for a home darkroom for b&w work, and now have most of the equipment. so now i have to decide what size of trays to get for developer, stop, fix, & hypo-clear. i always print on 8x10 paper, so would 8x10 trays suffice? or should i get slightly larger trays? also, what volume of chemistry do you typically put in a 8x10 tray, or a 12x16 tray, etc? i typically only process one print in a tray at a time, two tops, so i figure i shouldn't need really large trays. i would prefer to use smaller trays to conserve chemistry and save a little money. thanks...
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,286
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
This was discussed yesterday, and the day before with plenty of helpful replies
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

That link will help you

Ian
 

Nick Zentena

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Messages
4,666
Location
Italia
Format
Multi Format
Different companies make different sized 8x10 [or other size] trays. The bigger ones are fine for 8x10. But the ones that are just over 8x10 size will be tight.
 

Rich Ullsmith

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2007
Messages
1,159
Format
Medium Format
Wow, I was really surprised to see how little developer folks are using (at Ian's link). Being economically minded, I use a liter of 1+2 Dektol in an 8X10 tray. Less surface area to volume ratio, less oxidation. At the end of the session, instead of pouring the developer back into a bottle (turbulence, introduction of oxygen, oxidation) just cover the tray with saran wrap. It clings to the surface of the developer perfectly, and seals at the edges. I can get at least three printing sessions out of a liter, over the course of ten days, with no degradation or extended development times. That's pretty cheap developing.
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…