Developing B&W sheet film

[Paul Mitchell]

Hi

I'm having problems developing my 4x5 sheet film and wondered what experiences/methods other people use?

I've so far tried developing my B&W 4x5's in a Combiplan tank and more recently a Paterson Orbital and am having sooo much trouble with uneven development. I tried dish developing in total darkness this weekend and have had the best results so far!

If I plan to use the dish development method I was wondering what to use as a timer in total darkness (I had to count down in my head)? I was thinking of a clockwork kitchen timer that rang a bell after the required development time?

Paul

[IanG]

Get a luminous darkroom timer. Works fine for me when I dish process 10x8 negs.

All my negs 35mm, 120, 5x4 & 10x8 are processed in Pyrocat HD usually at 1+1+100 dilution. However for dish processing I use Pyrocat at 2+2+100 which reduces the times considerably.

Try and find a Jobo tank & 5x4 spirals I use two 2000 series tanks, each take 2 spirals of 6 negs, so 12 sheets per tank. Very easy to use, I bought my first set in about 1976.

Ian

[IanG]

Get a luminous darkroom timer. Works fine for me when I dish process 10x8 negs.

All my negs 35mm, 120, 5x4 & 10x8 are processed in Pyrocat HD usually at 1+1+100 dilution. However for dish processing I use Pyrocat at 2+2+100 which reduces the times considerably.

Try and find a Jobo tank & 5x4 spirals I use two 2000 series tanks, each take 2 spirals of 6 negs, so 12 sheets per tank. Very easy to use, I bought my first set in about 1976.

Ian

[Paul Mitchell]

Get a luminous darkroom timer. Works fine for me when I dish process 10x8 negs.

Try and find a Jobo tank & 5x4 spirals I use two 2000 series tanks, each take 2 spirals of 6 negs, so 12 sheets per tank. Very easy to use, I bought my first set in about 1976.

Ian

Thanks for the info Ian.

I was always led to believe that luminous dials/hand might fog the film... I do have a Smith's darkroom clock but the luminous markings fade to nothing after about 5 minutes. Someone has suggested I listen to a track(s) on my iPod which lasts for the dev time.

If I had the volume (and money) I would definitely consider the Jobo CPE2 Processor with lift. Unfortunately I'm only processing 2 to 3 sheets per month so I'll have to use something simpler for the time being.

Paul

[Jonathan Perkins]

Paul,

You don't need the CPE2 processor to use the Jobo tank. I use a 2521 (if I remember correctly - at work at present) with a 2509 spiral (although I only load a maximum of 4 sheets of 5x4 at a time). I hand roll the tank up and down a table top, using 300ml of solution rather than the much larger amount needed for inversion processing. I haven't processed a lot, but it works OK and I've had even development. Loading the film is pretty straight forward, but would be easier in a dark room rather than the changing bag I use...

From all reports the 3000 series tanks are better, but still go for silly money on eBay.

The iPod idea is a neat solution for processing in the dark!

Jonathan

[dennis]

Try the Combiplan loaded with only 4 sheets of film. I've found this works OK using neat ID11 (D76), or just do them in a dish & get partner (wife) to tell you when she is starting the timing & 20 secs or so before the end of the time. Cheaper than fancy timer! Dennis.

[dennis]

Try the Combiplan loaded with only 4 sheets of film. I've found this works OK using neat ID11 (D76), or just do them in a dish & get partner (wife) to tell you when she is starting the timing & 20 secs or so before the end of the time. Cheaper than fancy timer! Dennis.

[dennis]

Try the Combiplan loaded with only 4 sheets of film. I've found this works OK using neat ID11 (D76), or just do them in a dish & get partner (wife) to tell you when she is starting the timing & 20 secs or so before the end of the time. Cheaper than fancy timer! Dennis.

[dennis]

Try the Combiplan loaded with only 4 sheets of film. I've found this works OK using neat ID11 (D76), or just do them in a dish & get partner (wife) to tell you when she is starting the timing & 20 secs or so before the end of the time. Cheaper than fancy timer! Dennis.

[IanG]

Paul, I've use my Jobo tanks with inversion agitation for over 30 years with no problems, B&W and E6.

You definitely don't need a motorised processor, my tanks pre-date the motorised versions anyway.

Ian

[Paul Mitchell]

Hi Ian

I see you are pretty dedicated to the drum method and the idea is growing on me.

I see that SHDS has quite a few Jobo drums for sale but can't see any mention of a 'spiral' to hold sheet film?

http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/www ... &cat=16407

Nova sell Jobo spares including spirals http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/380 ... ories.html is this what you mean?

Best regards

Paul

[IanG]

Paul, somewhere I should have a spare Jobo tank, it's pre-2000 series but it does take the same spirals.

I'm in the middle of clearing my house, as it's up for sale, and there's a whole load of spare & surplus equipment.

I'll let you know if I find the tank, you can have it for free.

Ian

[Paul Mitchell]

Cheers Ian, will gladly pay for the postage.

Paul

[steve c]

Don't give up on the Combi-plan tank. 4 sheets only at a time, and presoak for 2 minutes. I do not see any uneven development since doing these two things.

Steve

[Paul Mitchell]

Thanks for the tip Steve, I've had other advice as to only processing 4 sheets at a time.

It does seem to me though that it's the time it takes to initially fill the tank and the slow draining that might be causing the problem?..., perhaps presoaking might be the answer?

Will give it another go with some test sheets though before giving up on it.

Paul