4 x 5 Tri-X tray development

When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

In article 6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04,
"Matt Ashbrook" wrote:

When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

Where is that Steve Simmons when you need him ;-) I think he does six sheets
or some other fabulous number like ten? Its a skill I wish I had time to learn,
alas my beloved Jobo in general serves me well......The few times I have
attempted beyond a few sheets I have ended up scratching film; hey I am klutz.
Sometimes I envy people who had a good teacher, I learned from the
school of hard knocks and still do.

Personally I like one sheet at a time in the tray, of course that's 8x10
and another matter. Let me non chalantly ask why do you like those
developers? Figure on a minimum of 500ml per 4) 4x5 sheets.........
no need for more than 1,000 ml per four sheets in an 8x10 tray.
1,000 ml is safe for a beginner.
--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

In article 6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04,
"Matt Ashbrook" wrote:

When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

Where is that Steve Simmons when you need him ;-) I think he does six sheets
or some other fabulous number like ten? Its a skill I wish I had time to learn,
alas my beloved Jobo in general serves me well......The few times I have
attempted beyond a few sheets I have ended up scratching film; hey I am klutz.
Sometimes I envy people who had a good teacher, I learned from the
school of hard knocks and still do.

Personally I like one sheet at a time in the tray, of course that's 8x10
and another matter. Let me non chalantly ask why do you like those
developers? Figure on a minimum of 500ml per 4) 4x5 sheets.........
no need for more than 1,000 ml per four sheets in an 8x10 tray.
1,000 ml is safe for a beginner.
--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message
news:6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04...
When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray,

I used (before going to a roll system--not a Jobo) 5"x7" trays.

what quantity of developer,

With a 5"x7' tray, figure about 16 oz

and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Six was my max, but check the spec sheets for the developers to determine
the proper amounts. Use latex gloves, and figure out a proper agitation
method. Mine was to flip through the sheets, rock the tray for whatever time
was left in thirty seconds, and then flip again. YMMV.

I would suggest finding an old Beseler (or equivalent) drum roller. They are
much easier, and require far fewer anounts of chemicals. I've had nothing
but great--and consistent--results since switching. Not that tray
development isn't consistent or great, but it's a little hard for me. I
don't have a dedicated dark room, and am sick of sitting in the bathroom tub
in the dark !!!

Let me know if you need any other help.

I develop 10 sheets of 4X5 at a time. FYI, I develop BW 11X14 always 2
sheets at a time (never one) even if I have to use an unexposed sheet for
agitation consistency. Of course color goes in the Jobo.

On 7/7/04 7:19 PM, in article 6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04, "Matt
Ashbrook" wrote:

When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.



--
J Vee

I develop up to 15 sheets of 4x5 at a time in a quart of developer, 2 quarts if
I'm feeling insecure. I pull out the bottom sheet and place it on top to
agitate, going through the stack once every 30 seconds. I have never scratched
a negative. If you're uncomfortable, sacrifice four sheets of unexposed film
and practice for 15 minutes in the light.

Richard Ritter does 25 sheets at a time, and he can get through the stack in 30
seconds! I just can't go that fast and feel secure. It's scary enough in the
dark!

Bruce

I develop up to 15 sheets of 4x5 at a time in a quart of developer, 2 quarts if
I'm feeling insecure. I pull out the bottom sheet and place it on top to
agitate, going through the stack once every 30 seconds. I have never scratched
a negative. If you're uncomfortable, sacrifice four sheets of unexposed film
and practice for 15 minutes in the light.

Richard Ritter does 25 sheets at a time, and he can get through the stack in 30
seconds! I just can't go that fast and feel secure. It's scary enough in the
dark!

Bruce

The reason I pick those two developers is as more and more photo stores move
to more digital stuff, I figure I'll always be able to walk into any of them
and get one of those two. Also, I've used the HC-110 for most of my roll
developing.
For what it's worth, I recently started shooting up all of my film that I've
"collected". When it's shot up, I'm going to shoot only Tri-X in my Leica,
my really old Hassy, and now my 4 x 5. If I use any color, it'll be
Kodachrome 64 until I can't find either the film or the processing.

thanks for your input,
Matt A.
"Gregory W Blank" wrote in message
...
In article 6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04,
"Matt Ashbrook" wrote:

When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity of developer,
and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using HC-110 dil B
or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

Where is that Steve Simmons when you need him ;-) I think he does six
sheets
or some other fabulous number like ten? Its a skill I wish I had time to
learn,
alas my beloved Jobo in general serves me well......The few times I have
attempted beyond a few sheets I have ended up scratching film; hey I am
klutz.
Sometimes I envy people who had a good teacher, I learned from the
school of hard knocks and still do.

Personally I like one sheet at a time in the tray, of course that's 8x10
and another matter. Let me non chalantly ask why do you like those
developers? Figure on a minimum of 500ml per 4) 4x5 sheets.........
no need for more than 1,000 ml per four sheets in an 8x10 tray.
1,000 ml is safe for a beginner.
--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message
news:6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04...
When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity
of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using
HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

A good rule of thumb for sheet film is to use at minimum an
8x10 for sizes up to 5x7 and at least the next larger size
tray for larger film.
For single sheets you don't need much developer but if
you are shuffling several sheets there should be enough
developer to cover the stack well. Tray developing is not
economical of developer. Shuffling takes practice if
scratches and gouges are to be avoided. Some find it easier
to shuffle with the film emulsion side down, however, that
increases the chance of trapping bubbles. Which ever way you
place the film it should be put into the solution by sliding
it in sideways with a smooth motion, that will help keep
from trapping air under the sheets. Large trays give you
enough room to shuffle gently.
The number of sheets you can do depends on how good you
are at shuffling. I can do about six sheets but this is not
one of my talents.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA

"Matt Ashbrook" wrote in message
news:6q0Hc.40364$MB3.39183@attbi_s04...
When tray developing Tri-X, what size tray, what quantity
of developer, and
how many sheets at one time is recommended. I'll be using
HC-110 dil B or
D-76.

Thanks,
Matt A.

A good rule of thumb for sheet film is to use at minimum an
8x10 for sizes up to 5x7 and at least the next larger size
tray for larger film.
For single sheets you don't need much developer but if
you are shuffling several sheets there should be enough
developer to cover the stack well. Tray developing is not
economical of developer. Shuffling takes practice if
scratches and gouges are to be avoided. Some find it easier
to shuffle with the film emulsion side down, however, that
increases the chance of trapping bubbles. Which ever way you
place the film it should be put into the solution by sliding
it in sideways with a smooth motion, that will help keep
from trapping air under the sheets. Large trays give you
enough room to shuffle gently.
The number of sheets you can do depends on how good you
are at shuffling. I can do about six sheets but this is not
one of my talents.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA