Who is using tanks and hangers to develop their 4X5?

nsurit · Mar 14, 2017

I'm curious as to how many find using open tanks and film hangers/holders to develop 4X5 their method of choice rather than using trays, Mod54, JOBO or some other method. If you are using the tanks, what played in your decision and how much of a PITA is this method?

bdial · Mar 14, 2017

I use them, at least occasionally. The major reason is that it's the method I'm used to. In my A.F. days I processed hundreds of sheets of 4x5 in 4 up hangers and deep tanks. So I don't consider it a PITA, though I've been trying out some of the alternatives like the Nikor tank and a Combi-Plan. If I'm only doing a couple sheets I usually use trays, but for something like 6 or 8 or more I get the hangers (1-up) and open tanks out.
BTW, the 1.5 quart "Oxo Good Grips POP" food storage container fits 4x5 hangers nicely (without the lid).
https://www.oxo.com/products/storage-organization/food/pop-container-rectangle-1-5-qt-1-4-l

photog_ed · Mar 14, 2017

I just recently started using tanks and hangers. I have tried a couple of daylight tanks in the distant past, and then trays. I am happy with the tanks and hangers, as I am finally getting consistent, uniformly developed negatives with no nicks or scratches.

removed account4 · Mar 14, 2017

i wish i still used them ...
it is not really hard with tanks of chemicals, my main problem
was bad hangers .. a few screwed me on a job ( they gave me " lines " on my film )
and i went to another methodology ( tray ).
part of me hates using trays ... hangers was so ez

Eric Rose · Mar 14, 2017

I use them exclusively. It's zen like.

Leigh B · Mar 14, 2017

I use tanks/hangers or the squarish daylight tanks, whichever calls to me the loudest.

I like tanks for consistent agitation with a large number of sheets at once.

- Leigh

nsurit · Mar 14, 2017

The main PITA I can think of would be keeping track of the replenishment and the extra real estate. Any opinions on these. The Mod54 works for the the level of 4X5 I'm shooting currently, however who knows what the future might bring. Oh, and I do have some tanks and hangers that I've yet to use.

Leigh B · Mar 14, 2017

nsurit said:
The main PITA I can think of would be keeping track of the replenishment...

I only use one-shot developers so replenishment is not an issue.
That's true regardless of the developing method used.

The one exception that I use occasionally is Diafine.
It gets replenished by replacing lost volume, regardless of film area developed.

- Leigh

MattKing · Mar 14, 2017

nsurit said:
The main PITA I can think of would be keeping track of the replenishment

Self replenishing developers like XTol or T-Max RS would be the easiest and simplest.

btaylor · Mar 15, 2017

If I have a lot of sheets to process the 4 up hangers in a half gallon 8x10 tank work the best for me. TMax RS developer keeps the cost very reasonable, replenishement is simple, 45ml per 8x10 sheet or equivalent. For 6 sheets or less I like the Combi Plan daylight tank, small, consistent, easy to load and economical.

BetterSense · Mar 15, 2017

I used to, with replenished D23, but I got uneven skies. I guess I just don't have the special touch. I switched back to trays. Now I have even development and occasional scratches, but at least I can avoid the scratches if I am careful.

jon.oman · Mar 15, 2017

I use them for both 4x5 and 8x10. I never liked using trays.....

RalphLambrecht · Mar 15, 2017

nsurit said:
I'm curious as to how many find using open tanks and film hangers/holders to develop 4X5 their method of choice rather than using trays, Mod54, JOBO or some other method. If you are using the tanks, what played in your decision and how much of a PITA is this method?

I prefer the Jobo because, I'm a firm believer in the evenness and economyof rotation development.

Peter Schuyler · Mar 15, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
I prefer the Jobo because, I'm a firm believer in the evenness and economyof rotation development.

I have used tanks and hangers for 50 years. Have tried everything from brush to rotational and always come back to T&H. No scratches, and with the right hangers, great for stand developing with pyrocat.

Paul Howell · Mar 15, 2017

I use tanks and hangers when I am processing more than just a couple sheets, for small jobs I use a 5X7 Cibachrome paper drum and a motor base. I have used many different developers in the past, 777, MCM 100, D76, DK 50, latest is back to D76.

Ronald Moravec · Mar 16, 2017

Get Arkay to make a 4x5 hangar rack so 8 are easy to handle. One hand grab without the fanning out.

I use Jobo Expert for color.

Who is using tanks and hangers to develop their 4X5?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency