Washing 8 x 10 film

markbau · Jul 29, 2019

Just developed my first 8 x 10 film using BTZS tubes. To wash the film I removed it from the tube and agitated it in a Patterson dish, upon drying I noticed lots of little scratches on the film, so it looks like tray washing is out of the question. How do you wash 8 x 10 film?

mitch brown · Jul 29, 2019

I had the same problem and thought that the washing caused the problem it was not so > it was the tubes themselves they where rough on the inside , I ran my fingers as far down as far as I could and could feel a lot of small rough spots so I contacted the view came store and they replaced them or you could use window screen cut to size with your film to keep it from rubbing.

Alan9940 · Jul 30, 2019

I wash 8x10 film either in a print washer or hangers, depending on the number of sheets.

jimjm · Jul 30, 2019

Are the scratches on the emulsion side, or non-emulsion side? I develop using BTZS tubes as well, but haven't had any problem with scratches. I wash 5x7 and 8x10 film in a Paterson Washer, but keep the emulsion side up so it doesn't come into contact with the tray. Gentle water flow for 10-15 mins is sufficient and so far no issues. If the wash water flow is too forceful, the film may be sliding around too much. I've got a vertical print washer as well, but haven't tried it for sheet film as I wasn't sure about having the emulsion side touch the sheet dividers.

Andrew O'Neill · Jul 30, 2019

Run your finger along the lip of the tube. Sometimes it's rough/sharp. If so, with wet/dry sandpaper, lightly sand the edge smooth. Wash. I really don't like the newer black tubes. The older, grey ones are much better. I've been using tubes for 4x5 and 8x10 for over twenty years. Also, after stop bath, I pull the film out from the tubes and insert into a tray of fix. I don't fix with film in the tubes. Fixing and washing is done in a flat-bottomed tray.

awty · Jul 30, 2019

I havent notice any scratches using a tube, as others are suggesting its probably something in process. I have gone from tank, to tube, to now using a flat bottom tray. for developing sheet film, less likely of something going wrong and gives you nice scratch free, even negative. I buy non stick oven trays from the supermarket, the ones I use have a shallow gutter on the edge, just enough to get your finger under the negative.

Vaughn · Jul 30, 2019

I wash in trays (4x5 to 11x14) -- fill and dump, one neg per tray. So far no major problems...those tend to be operator error. Paterson trays mostly.

Europan · Jul 30, 2019

The compounds you want to wash out are heavier than water. Float your film on the water and keep the water constantly stirred. There are different ways to accomplish that. A frame with clips can be advantageous.

mshchem · Jul 30, 2019

If you are washing in a tray use Kodak Rapid fix with the hardener, use multiple cool water washes. Don't let the water temperature get above 75F.
I have some narrow 1 gallon SS tanks that will take 8x10 4A hangers, that's a great option, if you can find the tanks and hangers reasonable.

markbau · Jul 30, 2019

Thanks for everyones replies. I have now inspected the tubes and they do indeed have many rough spots inside them, obviously rough enough to scratch the film. The scratches were all on the non emulsion side which of course is the side that is in contact with the tube. The scratches were also in a straight line which lines up to the rough spots on the tubes. I tray developed a sheet and had no scratches whatsoever. I will be contacting BTZS but in the meantime will try cutting a sheet of nylon flyscreen to see if that helps.

Washing 8 x 10 film

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