What am I doing wrong ?

GeorgesGiralt · Jan 26, 2005

Hi !
Quite new to large format film processing, I use a combi plan tank to process my B&W 4x5 film.
Everytime the film goes out from the rails during processing and is scratched by them (and the upper film clip). It is a PITA as if I want to salvage them this implies hours of spotting.
I've tried to reduce the number of films processed (from 6 to 2) without any help.
So any help will be greatly appreciated !
TIA !

Neal · Jan 26, 2005

Dear Georqes,

If cost is not a big issue, a jobo system is wonderful. I use their tanks but I built my own powered roller from parts at a surplus store. It uses a minimum of chemsistry (I use two fixing baths to be safe). If you don't mind standing in the dark for a bit, Photographer's Forumlary has a neat tray system for $60. I have used stainless steel racks in the past, but I think the tray is a nicer solution.

Neal Wydra

Bob F. · Jan 26, 2005

I believe the negative carrier is adjustable for several sizes of film, including the metric equivalent of 4x5 film (which I forget the size of at the moment...). Is it possible that you have set the negative holder to the wrong size? Also, you could try less rapid agitation if you use the inversion method - a gentle inversion taking perhaps 2 seconds for each inversion is sufficient.

I don't use that tank, but lots of people do so there should be a solution somewhere...

Good luck. Bob.

smieglitz · Jan 26, 2005

GeorgesGiralt said:
...I use a combi plan tank to process my B&W 4x5 film..

George,

I've read the Combi Tank racks loosen with time to cause this problem with film slippage during processing. The source of that information (forgotten now) suggested tightening the screws on the bottom of the rack and then gluing them so they would not loosen again. It was said to help. It could be the clip is just too worn and not holding.

You might contact the distributor (HP Marketing I believe-post for Bob Salomon on the large-format board or use "Combi-Tank" in the subject line: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/lfforum/) to see if replacement parts are available.

I don't think anything you are doing would cause the problem but I suppose it is possible that violent agitation might dislodge the film from the rack.

Joe

fhovie · Jan 26, 2005

I use the Jobo tanks for 4x5 - none better

Peter Schrager · Jan 26, 2005

Wrong?

Wrong-yes;it's called trays-cheap easy to transport and won't break down. Works every time!
Peter

GeorgesGiralt · Jan 26, 2005

Neal said:
Dear Georqes,

If cost is not a big issue, a jobo system is wonderful. I use their tanks but I built my own powered roller from parts at a surplus store. It uses a minimum of chemsistry (I use two fixing baths to be safe). If you don't mind standing in the dark for a bit, Photographer's Forumlary has a neat tray system for $60. I have used stainless steel racks in the past, but I think the tray is a nicer solution.

Neal Wydra

Well, I've been given one ;-) but I do not like the noise it makes and it is un practical by manual inversion. So if I can't go with the combi plan, I'll revert to the tray I used before the combi plan !

GeorgesGiralt · Jan 26, 2005

Bob F. said:
I believe the negative carrier is adjustable for several sizes of film, including the metric equivalent of 4x5 film (which I forget the size of at the moment...). Is it possible that you have set the negative holder to the wrong size? Also, you could try less rapid agitation if you use the inversion method - a gentle inversion taking perhaps 2 seconds for each inversion is sufficient.

I don't use that tank, but lots of people do so there should be a solution somewhere...

Good luck. Bob.

I can't go wrong as European film size is near 4 inches (9 cm, compared to 10 cm 4 inches represent), so it will be too short to insert a 4x5 in the 9x12 slot. I think the problem is not here ?

John Bartley · Jan 26, 2005

GeorgesGiralt said:
Hi !
Quite new to large format film processing, I use a combi plan tank to process my B&W 4x5 film.
Everytime the film goes out from the rails during processing and is scratched by them (and the upper film clip). It is a PITA as if I want to salvage them this implies hours of spotting.
I've tried to reduce the number of films processed (from 6 to 2) without any help.
So any help will be greatly appreciated !
TIA !

Hi George,

I'm also new (8 months) to 4x5. I started with trays 'cause they were cheap. They work very well, but I do my negative developing now in tubes. I make my own from black ABS pipe and fittings and I'll bet that each tube costs less than $10 cdn.
I know that there are many good ways to develop negs, and this is the way that I've found to be easiest and cleanest for me.

Bob F. · Jan 26, 2005

GeorgesGiralt said:
Well, I've been given one ;-) but I do not like the noise it makes and it is un practical by manual inversion. So if I can't go with the combi plan, I'll revert to the tray I used before the combi plan !

If you have a Jobo and the 25xx series tanks and reels (it's what I use), I would really suggest using it - you will not get such good temperature control and consistent agitation using trays or the Combiplan. Mine is a bit noisy on the fast setting too, but it's a small price to pay for consistency...

Cheers, Bob.

papagene · Jan 26, 2005

I have been using the HP Combi tanks for several years now and have not encountered this problem. Is the tank you are using new, or was it used?
I will have to take a look at mine and see if I can come up with any suggestions.

gene

blansky · Jan 26, 2005

Everyone will tell you what they use and that it is a better system. In my experience they all can work well.

I also use the HP combi tanks and never have any kind of problems like you mentioned. It sounds like the dreaded "operator error" problem.

Maybe a couple of things to check. The grooves or guides that the film slips into should be curved. If they are straight then it need to be taken apart and reversed. I believe the straight ones are for glass plates.

With mine once the film is inserted and the top film holder is placed on the film cannot move at all.

If you need a set of directions I can send them to you.

Michael

dancqu · Jan 26, 2005

I've not processed sheet film for many years. I developed film pack
by tray and sheet by tank and hanger. Nobody is doing film pack
these days. I've seen no posts mentioning the the tank and
hanger method. What gives, has everybody gone one-shot
with their developer? Dan

What am I doing wrong ?

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