sheet film developing is hard

"David Starr" wrote in message
...
I'm also a large format beginner. So far I've shot 8 sheets, and have
had no developing problems. I use a Combi-Plan tank.
[... snip good stuff...]

At first I refused to believe a Combi-Plan tank could work, but it really
does work. One of the arguments I've heard against it is how long it takes
to fill or empty it. It is certainly not as quick as open tank development,
or hand-shuffling (bless 'em who do that), but what I want to know is how
many JOBO Auto Lift fanatics have ever timed their fill times against it.
I'll put a dollar against a dime that the times are so close it makes no
difference.

(Frank, where are ya, Buddy? )

PGG wrote:

Sigh.... Frustrated but I haven't quite given up yet.



Hi there,

I'm a real beginner also, having exposed and processed a total of 39
4"x5" B&W sheets in my life. I started with trays, and went thru' the
scratching, uneven development, stale chemicals, too short in depleted
fixer etc, etc....

Someone on this forum was kind enough to give me this advice : get a
system, stick with the system, change only one thing at a time in your
system and that way you can overcome each problem one at a time.

While I eventually came to a point where I had no trouble with trays, I
didn't like being stuck in the darkroom (bathroom) in the dark, and I
didn't want to spend (cheapskate) the money on a tank system, didn't
mind doing one negative at a time (only shoot a couple a week), so I
made a BTZ tube. Mine also leaked. The solution for the leak at the
threaded couplers is to roll an o-ring over the male end, so that when
you screw them together, the o-ring does the sealing.

Hope this helps a bit.

--
regards from ::

John Bartley
43 Norway Spruce Street
Stittsville, Ontario
Canada, K2S1P5

( If you slow down it takes longer
- does that apply to life also?)

jjs wrote:
: "David Starr" wrote in message
: ...
: I'm also a large format beginner. So far I've shot 8 sheets, and have
: had no developing problems. I use a Combi-Plan tank.
: [... snip good stuff...]

: At first I refused to believe a Combi-Plan tank could work, but it really
: does work. One of the arguments I've heard against it is how long it takes
: to fill or empty it. It is certainly not as quick as open tank development,
: or hand-shuffling (bless 'em who do that), but what I want to know is how
: many JOBO Auto Lift fanatics have ever timed their fill times against it.
: I'll put a dollar against a dime that the times are so close it makes no
: difference.

: (Frank, where are ya, Buddy? )

I'm here. :-) Just not a whole lot to add. I have to admit that I don't care for
the idea of standing in the dark with my hands soaking in developer so I don't tray
develop. I also didn't have any luck with hangers or the combi-plan tank. I also have
an issue with the amount of chemistry they use. I use my developer one shot and while
the Tmax developers are cheap they're not that cheap!!

My problem was solved when I got my Jobo processor. Now I pour in the chemistry and
walk away.

--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

Gregory Blank wrote in message ...
Stated Michael Scarpetti the man who never processes
sheet film. BTW your wrong.


By the way, YOU'RE wrong. I have probably processed more sheets of
film in my life than you have.


In article ,
(Uranium Committee) wrote:

(Largformat) wrote in message
...
Step by step instructions on tray developing are on our web site

www.viewcamera.com

in the Free Articles section


steve simmons

Sheet film hangers and tanks are the way to go.

Doubtful, somewhere beyond a 1,000.

In article ,
(Uranium Committee) wrote:

By the way, YOU'RE wrong. I have probably processed more sheets of
film in my life than you have.

--
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

Gregory Blank wrote:

"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

off topic, but good quote. I'm going to steal it. My current favorite
email sig:

A lesson in patriotism for the Bush administration:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Benjamin Franklin

Doubtful, somewhere beyond a 1,000.

And in Spain, 1003.

Bob G

I like that just as well.

In article ,
Tom Phillips wrote:


off topic, but good quote. I'm going to steal it. My current favorite
email sig:

A lesson in patriotism for the Bush administration:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Benjamin Franklin

--
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

I like that just as well.

In article ,
Tom Phillips wrote:


off topic, but good quote. I'm going to steal it. My current favorite
email sig:

A lesson in patriotism for the Bush administration:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Benjamin Franklin

--
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

David Starr wrote in message . ..
I'm also a large format beginner. So far I've shot 8 sheets, and have
had no developing problems. I use a Combi-Plan tank. I load the
holder in the dark, drop it into the filled tank, put the top on and
turn on the lights. I agitate it like a reel-style tank - invert it.
When there's 30 seconds left on the timer, I turn out the light and
take the top off the tank. I have 2 Yankee tanks I use for stop,
fixing and washing. The wash tank is also the stop tank. It has a
hose in it with water running. One minute in the water, then into the
filled fixer tank. After the developer, I just leave the light out.
I agitate in the water bath and fixer by raising and lowering the film
holder in the tank. After the fix, I turn on the lights, put the
holder in the wash tank, and let it wash with occasional agitation.
I've gotten very nice looking negatives with no apparent streaking.
This weekend I hope to have the D5 ready to go and make some prints.

Unfortunately my Yankee does not have inversion facility so I settle
for lateral, orbital rotation. Sort of like how the moon goes around
the earth.

I also use a D5 with a Dichro II head. IIRC, f16, yellow on 40, red
on 10,
roughly 10 seconds (depending on paper) gives a nice print with a
Fujinon 135mm lens.

Collin