Uneven development 5x7 sheets

[Laci Toth]

Fred Picker described a very comprehensive method for tray developing for up to 8 - 10 sheets, with 10 pushing it. It starts with a tray at least one film size larger than the film (I use an 8 x 10 tray for 4x5 film).
It's very well described and it solved every problem I had with sheet film development, after trying hangers & tanks, and tubes.
I'll try to find it and post it.

Thanks indeed!

 

[Laci Toth]

You'll need a 3 reel Patterson tank or bigger tank to develop 5x7 sheets using the taco method. Intermittent agitation will necessitate relatively larger volume of chemistry. With continuous agitation you can do with less volume of chemistry.

So I succeeded with the tray method but would like to try the taco as well as I don’t always want to be in the dark for long and would be great to develop more than one sheet at a time. I faced with the problem that the sheets touch the inner column of the tank. I think that’s not a good sign but as I checked on the web there’s no other solution but it leads me to the question if I’ll get uneven developement or not? My feelings says yes but I’m no expert on the taco method.
My other question is that I’ve found two types of hairband one is the ‘normal’ one and the other is a bit wider and it’s like stockings. I’m wondering which one is better or in this case does it matter?

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

the sheets touch the inner column of the tank.

As long as it is not the emulsion side that's touching the central column, it's not a problem, at least in my experience. Continuous agitation makes sure that development is uniform.

For 5x7 sheets, I use two thin rubber bands per sheet, one at roughly 1/3 of the length and other at 2/3. This makes sure that the sharp corners of the sheet don't scratch the emulsion.

While fixing you might want to slide the band up or down a little from its position after 2/3 fixing time so that the region below the band also gets fixed.

 

[Laci Toth]

As long as it is not the emulsion side that's touching the central column, it's not a problem, at least in my experience. Continuous agitation makes sure that development is uniform.

For 5x7 sheets, I use two thin rubber bands per sheet, one at roughly 1/3 of the length and other at 2/3. This makes sure that the sharp corners of the sheet don't scratch the emulsion.

While fixing you might want to slide the band up or down a little from its position after 2/3 fixing time so that the region below the band also gets fixed.

Okay, thanks! I’ll do one round and get back to you!

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Get an expert drum and be done with it. ;-)

 

[Laci Toth]

Get an expert drum and be done with it. ;-)

Yea, that’s a proper solution and I might end up there but would like to give these a go first and I’ll see.

 

[koraks]

Those expert drums are kind of expensive though...I've had good success with 5x7 in a simole jobo print drum. Those can be had for cheap. But you're limited to one or two negs per run.

 

[Laci Toth]

With continuous agitation you can do with less volume of chemistry.

What you reckon how much should I pour in if I do continuous agitation?
As this tank can be thirsty I would fill it up only half full but is that enough?

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Those expert drums are kind of expensive though...I've had good success with 5x7 in a simole jobo print drum. Those can be had for cheap. But you're limited to one or two negs per run.

That works too! I just have grown to like drums as they minimize contact with the emulsion side of the film while it's wet. The Expert Drums are indeed pricy but when you can run 5 at a time and they come out perfectly it's a real time saver. I just did 20 sheets yesterday in my 3010 drum and hooo boy was it 'relatively' fast.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

View attachment 242217 View attachment 242220 View attachment 242221 View attachment 242222 I know it was discussed so many times but I couldn't find the answer for this combo though it could be me only.
I started developing 5x7 sheets in 5x7 trays.
First I only rocked the tray back and forth and I got the stripes so then I changed this rocking process to back and forth and left to right and clockwise or anticlockwise as I hold a tray in my hands. The outcome was way better but still, they are uneven.
It’s fomapan 400 in Rodinal 1:50 for 10 minutes as I cut the development time by 10% because I use pinhole and could get quite contrasty negs and cutting helps it. I presoak the negs for 2 minutes, 10 minutes in the dev, 30 seconds in the stop bath and 3-4 minutes in the fixer and then the wash. I used the same rocking process for all the baths. Continuous agitation in all trays.
Is it the rocking process or what if not? Should I use larger trays so the neg will have a larger space to move freely.
The reason why use Rodinal is because it pulls back the film speed so it also helps with the contrast.
I’ve DD-X as well but I don't know if I'd dilute it 1:9 so it won't be that strong would it make any difference?
The first neg is the first attempt the second when I used all three rocking moves.

how much chemistry are you using in the tray? That does make a difference.

 

[Laci Toth]

how much chemistry are you using in the tray? That does make a difference.

Well, the developer is 510ml, the stop is 240ml and the fixer is 250ml.

 

[Adrian Bacon]

Well, the developer is 510ml, the stop is 240ml and the fixer is 250ml.

ok. That should be reasonable, though I’d use the same amount for the stop as the developer.

You’re sure you got the emulsion face up on negatives you posted? Those density bands are so uniform I’d have a hard time seeing them being caused by agitation alone.

 

[Laci Toth]

ok. That should be reasonable, though I’d use the same amount for the stop as the developer.

You’re sure you got the emulsion face up on negatives you posted? Those density bands are so uniform I’d have a hard time seeing them being caused by agitation alone.

Yes, I’m pretty sure the emulsion is facing up. Since then I’ve done the same in flat bottom trays and all the stripes were gone.