Using the Combi-Plan

[Chuck_P]

Well, my combi-plan tank arrived today and some film; I have yet to develop my first 4x5 film yet and I wanted to try the combi. I wasted one sheet to see how to load and use the film holder, very easy and seems user friendly. I know that these tanks are not meant to be held inverted, but to just test it out that's what I did, and it did begin to leak for sure.

--I did a 5 second inversion cycle to see if it leaked and, it wanted to as I could see water beginning to show itself, but nothing like just holding it inverted.

--I did a 30 second inversion cycle like one would with stop bath and it leaked some, but still not like holding it inverted.

Are those normal occurrances with the combi or do I have lemon for a tank?

I would appreciate others advice on using the combi; are there any particulars that I need to know?

Thanks
Chuck

 

[Kobin]

"Are those normal occurrances with the combi..."

It is with mine. I just rock the thing on its long axis and gently bang it when I'm done. Works great.

K.

 

[Lee L]

Do a forum search on "combi-plan" and you'll come up with several useful threads, including good explanations of how people use them, what problems occur, and suggestions on overcoming the problems.

Here's a starter: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Lee

 

[jstraw]

don't push the clip on farther than necessary

 

[DrPablo]

Mine leaks quite a bit. A pain when I'm using a caustic developer like PMK that I don't want to get on anything.

My biggest complaints about the Combiplan are 1) the film can pop out of its grooves and 2 different sheets can stick or scratch, and 2) it takes a long time to empty and fill through the spouts, throwing timing off somewhat.

 

[Roger Hicks]

They always leak. I use Combi holders in a Nova hand-line, which I find much easier. I prefer to load only 4 sheets at a time: with 6 sheets, they have on occasion touched.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[nicolai]

I recently got a Jobo 2000 series tank and a couple of 6-sheet reels to replace my Combi-Plan and have been much, much (much!) happier.

 

[Chazzy]

I recently got a Jobo 2000 series tank and a couple of 6-sheet reels to replace my Combi-Plan and have been much, much (much!) happier.

Please forgive my ignorance of the Jobo system, but do the tank and the 6-sheet reels require the use of a Jobo processor, or can the tank be used like any other developing tank for normal inversion agitation at intervals?

 

[jstraw]

It can be used for inversion with the right cap. Be warned that it uses a good deal more solution than a Combi when used for inversion.

My 2500 takes 2.5 litres but can do a dozen sheets. My Combi needs 1 litre for 6. If I do full loads, that's what, about 42cc more per sheet.

 

[nicolai]

What jstraw said, if you use it for inversion, it takes a LOT, because the thing is really wide. But you can get a [hand-powered] roller base for $24.50 for the 2500 tanks, which uses very little chemistry--just enough to cover the film when then tank is on its side.

The Jobo system does seem confusing at first, and their web site sucks, but IMO it's worth working through, because the stuff is good and does what it says it's going to do well. Here's what I have (all link to B&H):

#2561 tank with magnet base, holds 2 x 4x5 reels (12 sheets total), or 4 reels of 120, 220, or 127, or 6 reels of 135. You can get extension tubes for this tank to make it huge if you want to. There is a variant of this tank with a cog, which I've heard sucks for inversion and roller base processing, so unless you're going to get the fancy temperature controller processor, stick with the magnet.

#2509N sheet film reel, holds up to 6 sheets. (Also holds 9x12.)

#2502 adjustable reel, fits 135, 127, 120, and 220 (you can gang up 2 rolls of 120 onto a single reel).

#1509 manual roller base, not necessary if you opt to use more chemistry and do inversion.

This gives me a nice, flexible system that will handle 135 through 4x5 in the same tank for not a lot of money. I've been really happy with it so far, I like it better than the Paterson system I was using for 135 and 120 and the dreaded Combi-Plan (of which I wrote a very profane review and follow-up).

There's also the #2508 sheet film loader base (requires a film guide), which is meant to make loading sheet film easier, but I've never used it.

If you want to go fancier, there's the Jobo expert drums, which are for sheet film only. I've heard they're unbelievably easy to load, people seem to really love them, but they are more expensive, and I haven't used them and can't comment on them, either.

 

[nicolai]

Speaking of which, has anyone used the expert drums for either inversion or with a roller base? Does this work ok? (I'm looking for a daylight 8x10 tank and the BTZS tubes look like a giant pain to my lazy self.)