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Dumb question processing 4x5
I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so
please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. |
#2
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Dumb question processing 4x5
Robert Chin wrote:
I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? I use the Jobo 2500 series sheet film tank and reels; need loader too. If you use a Jobo processor (I use CPE-2), it takes relatively little chemistry, and it loads quite fast. -- .~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642. /V\ PGP-Key: 9A2FC99A Registered Machine 241939. /( )\ Shrewsbury, New Jersey http://counter.li.org ^^-^^ 12:25:01 up 13 days, 20:01, 5 users, load average: 5.40, 5.25, 5.21 |
#3
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Dumb question processing 4x5
On Oct 20, 6:27 pm, "Robert Chin" wrote:
I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. It is partly true that taking a long time to fill tanks could lead to a problem. The usual problem is inconsistent results. This is most easily overcome by being very consistent in your technique and selecting developers that take a reasonably long time (e.g., more than 5 minutes). Uneven development is more likely caused by incorrect agitation. The Jobo system (also mentioned) does a fine job, but there are simpler systems (i.e., involving less equipment). |
#4
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Dumb question processing 4x5
"Robert Chin" wrote in message ... I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. Look for a used 8x10 Unicolor Unidrum drum or like printing drum that allows 4x5 prints. EBay is one source. Something like 150 ml of solution each step needed to process 4 sheets of 4x5. Very even development and table space required is minimal - about 1' x 2' will be ample...enough to manually roll the loaded drum from side to side if not using a mechanical roller device. You can load the drum in a change bag, attach the cover/lid, and do all the processing in room light. http://www.largeformatphotography.info/unicolor/ The BTZS tubes are an alternative, though each tube takes only one sheet of film rather than the up-to-four that the Unidrum does. http://www.viewcamerastore.com/produ...products_id=36 And as Phil Davis pointed out in his book *Beyond the Zone System*, you can make your own BTZS type tubes. I've done that and they work well except for the slight leakage as they are rolled on the counter surface. I never could get that leakage problem resolved. Maybe if I could have located some large enough o-rings? I finally tired of that leakage and got myself some BTZS tubes off EBay for the one or two sheet processing. At some 50ml of solution each step, they work very well. |
#5
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Dumb question processing 4x5
On 10/20/2007 9:27 AM Robert Chin spake thus:
So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Short answer: forget tray processing. This will kill several birds w/one stone. I use a print drum (Beseler Unicolor) to process 4x5 film. Gives excellent results with minimal amount of chemistry, and does it in *daylight*. You only need to load the drum in the dark (which you can do in a dark closet). It gives excellent, consistent, streak-free results. You can buy the equipment cheap on eBay (that's where I got mine). |
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Dumb question processing 4x5
On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:27:00 -0400, "Robert Chin" wrote:
I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. Can you fill the developer tank in advance, and lower the film holder into it in total darkness? If so, that takes care of the filling. Then, you can, in the dark, take the top off the tank, dump the developer and pour in the stop bath. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Retired Shop Rat: 14,647 days in a GM plant. Now I can do what I enjoy: Large Format Photography Web Site: www.destarr.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
#7
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Dumb question processing 4x5
Depends on the volume but for trials (at least) get a 8x10
paper drum, one that has dividers to separate 4x5 sheets, load it in your changing bag (note you may need to invest in a larger bag) and process on the tabletop in room light. i use a Unidrum and Uniroller for roll film and use an Omega Drum (Simmard) on the same base for the little sheet film I do. I presoak and the Uniroller seems ideal since it reverses direction automatically. The presoak extends processing times a bit but the constant agitation seems to shorten the processing times by about the same amount so I start with the "large tank" time and temperature and adjust if not satisfied with the contrast. Much has been written on the concept, lots of Google hits and the old Jobo newsletter are a goldmine of rotary processing info using theirs or any other rotary equipment. David Starr wrote: On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:27:00 -0400, "Robert Chin" wrote: I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. Can you fill the developer tank in advance, and lower the film holder into it in total darkness? If so, that takes care of the filling. Then, you can, in the dark, take the top off the tank, dump the developer and pour in the stop bath. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Retired Shop Rat: 14,647 days in a GM plant. Now I can do what I enjoy: Large Format Photography Web Site: www.destarr.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
#8
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Dumb question processing 4x5
"darkroommike" wrote in message ... Depends on the volume but for trials (at least) get a 8x10 paper drum, one that has dividers to separate 4x5 sheets, load it in your changing bag (note you may need to invest in a larger bag) and process on the tabletop in room light. i use a Unidrum and Uniroller for roll film and use an Omega Drum (Simmard) on the same base for the little sheet film I do. I presoak and the Uniroller seems ideal since it reverses direction automatically. The presoak extends processing times a bit but the constant agitation seems to shorten the processing times by about the same amount so I start with the "large tank" time and temperature and adjust if not satisfied with the contrast. Much has been written on the concept, lots of Google hits and the old Jobo newsletter are a goldmine of rotary processing info using theirs or any other rotary equipment. David Starr wrote: On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:27:00 -0400, "Robert Chin" wrote: I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so please bear with me. My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem. I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in the dark. So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this? Advice welcome from all. Thanks. Can you fill the developer tank in advance, and lower the film holder into it in total darkness? If so, that takes care of the filling. Then, you can, in the dark, take the top off the tank, dump the developer and pour in the stop bath. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Retired Shop Rat: 14,647 days in a GM plant. Now I can do what I enjoy: Large Format Photography Web Site: www.destarr.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I also use Unicolor and Besler print drums for sheet film. I have found that I can get "bromide streaks" on occasion if the drums are rotated using the Unicolor motor base unless they are taken off several times during development and agitated sideways. Evidently there is not enough turbulance in the flow of the developer to move the reaction products away from the development sites in the long direction of the drum. I've had this problem specifically with Rodinal. Its likely it may not happen with other developers but its worth beign aware of. The streaks show up as lines of lighter density on either side of dense highlights on the negative in the direction of rotation. -- --- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA |
#9
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Dumb question processing 4x5
"Richard Knoppow" wrote in message ... snip I also use Unicolor and Besler print drums for sheet film. I have found that I can get "bromide streaks" on occasion if the drums are rotated using the Unicolor motor base unless they are taken off several times during development and agitated sideways. Evidently there is not enough turbulance in the flow of the developer to move the reaction products away from the development sites in the long direction of the drum. I've had this problem specifically with Rodinal. Its likely it may not happen with other developers but its worth beign aware of. The streaks show up as lines of lighter density on either side of dense highlights on the negative in the direction of rotation. What if the base were tilted just a couple of degrees? Of course this could make the streaks slightly diagonal, but as the developer 'runs into' the end of the tank perhaps it would agitate it sufficiently to prevent the streaks. I'd try it myself, but I've never experienced the problem. Maybe because I can't seem to level the motor base! (I use either HC-110 or C-41) |
#10
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Dumb question processing 4x5
"Ken Hart" wrote
What if the base were tilted just a couple of degrees? Then the drum 'walks' off the roller - at least Jobo drums and a Unicolor base. I find I have to shim the base so the drum stays on top - or at the least to be sure it walks so the cap end rubs up against the base. I use the older style 4x5 Jobo reels (? clear spiral reels holding 6 sheets each) and do not have streaking problems when using them on a motor base (famous last words, I know...). Developer is usually Microdol-X and film is usually TMax 100. -- Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio Darkroom Automation: F-Stop Timers, Enlarging Meters http://www.darkroomautomation.com/index.htm n o lindan at ix dot netcom dot com |
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