4x5 Developing Reel

I've looked into this style of tank a while back, but I just can't justify the cost.
I'll stick to my patterson orbital tank for 4x5 for now. ;)
 
I've had great success with the Combi-plan, but it seems it's no longer being manufactured. Try to find a used one.
 
This Chinese one is a replica of the old Nikor 4x5 tank that was made in the 60s. Used ones sell for outrageous prices on eBay and on APUG. They're quite rare. The Chinese one is cheaper than the old ones go for, and its new. There are several guys on APUG who swear the Nikor is the best way to develop 4x5 film.
 
6 sheets with over a liter of one-shot developer doesn't sound particularly economical in the HP Combiplan or the Mod54. But then again, the taco method is even less so.
 
i don't get it-
what does one-shot developer mean?
If you complain it's too much per film area, then just don't throw it out - reload the tank and reuse the same developer.
One-shot does not mean it will magically go wrong when you pour it out of the tank, will it?
It should mean either, that it does go wrong in a short time (but not in matter of 30 minutes!), OR that you need a certain amount of it per film, but then again this is compatible with re-using it if you think 6 sheets is too less for a liter.
 
Jobo 2520 Multitank 2 with the 4x5" reel insert.

I lucked into mine cheap. They go for as much as EUR 140 but IMHO are worth the price. I had a few trials with mine but now am able to load it in a changing bag without any hassle.
 
Another vote for JOBO.
I have the Multitank2 , Multitank4, and Multitank5.
The four and five I use on an old Unicolor Uniroller for B&W.

This is also the only way I can process the 6.5cmx9cm sheet film in quantity.
Also works very well for 9x12cm and 4x5.
I have an old Nikor tank for the small size, but the JOBO is way better in all aspects.
I've read that the 4x5 Nikor is not fun to load.

Most of my JOBO I have bought used at good prices.
 
^^
That's a good deal for someone.
The lid can be changed to inversion-type very easily.
The orange lids are available seperately
 
As Chris says - its a copy of the original Nikor 4x5's - I have one & it works fine - only functional difference btwn original and Chinese version is that the Nikor has a metal band/clip that goes round the outside of the reel to keep the film in. Mine's missing so I use an elastic band. Maybe the Chinese copy has another system.
I think you can get the original versions cheaper than this.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
This Chinese one is a replica of the old Nikor 4x5 tank that was made in the 60s. Used ones sell for outrageous prices on eBay and on APUG. They're quite rare. The Chinese one is cheaper than the old ones go for, and its new. There are several guys on APUG who swear the Nikor is the best way to develop 4x5 film.
Click to expand...

I lucked into the Nikor for $15 on CraigsList & love it - never had a bad load or any issues. I think its pretty cool that someone is making this copy & would love to know how it performs.
 
Jockos said:
It looks way better than the Mod54 I'm currently using. The price though.....
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I don't know what other systems are going for, but that was my thought too, the cost. If it were Japanese, European, or USA made, you expect a high cost. But from China?
 
Hopefully it works better than a family members Nikor 4x5 that I borrowed. I used it three times and couldn't get the right agitation for even development. Likely user error, but that was enough for me.

If you are developing a lot of 4x5, I've been really happy with a Jobo 3010. Not cheap, but it does what it should, reliably, every time. Worth the extra coin, to me, after my frustration with other tanks.
 
I have an original Nikor 4x5 tank...it's somewhat easy to load (might have to adjust a little more) and works just fine for me...it has all the parts and got it for a great price on ebay..
It also has the ability to adjust to smaller size sheet film something this newer version does not...that being said, if this one loads easy enough and is tough enough for the test of time then go for it...
 
I'm just wondering why is it that expensive?
The steel can't be that much more than a 120 reel, can it?
 
Jobo 2521 tank with Jobo 4x5" / 9x12cm 2509N reel. For free. If you have a lot of sheet films, use the Jobo Expert drums for sheet film. They are the best.
 
Hi all, I wrote an email through eBay to the seller of the 4x5" stainless steel developing tanks and got this reply:

Thank you for your attention to B&W KING.
4 x5 "Film Developing Tank has been sold on ebay. Will shorten the time to sell to 10 days
I'm 60 years old, is a photographer.I am willing to Dutch counterparts do friends.
Design and production of this product, I use 6 years.There has been a lot of users in China.Photographers can let more countries use this product, is my wish.
Photography is without borders, photographic equipment should also is such. B&W KING needs to develop. Need more people to discover.
In China, can't use Facebook, you can write comments I can't see, unfortunately.
I will not English, this file is computer translation. I don't know whether accurate, please understand.
Your new friend
liu junjie
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Seems the seller is a fellow photo enthusiast and the tanks have been sold in China so far but he's planning to sell abroad more. His website is http://www.bw-king.com. The tank is also available in 5x7 and 120.

Good news I'd say! I will certainly buy a tank, they look sweet and rugged enough to be used for years to come.
 
Mr_Flibble said:
6 sheets with over a liter of one-shot developer doesn't sound particularly economical in the HP Combiplan or the Mod54. But then again, the taco method is even less so.
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You can do 12 at a time -- just go back to back. You have a more extended rinse to get the backing off, but it works perfectly well. Then again, I didn't generally find the Combi tank especially delightful to work with. I managed to break mine and bought a yankee to replace it and -- though they're pretty widely loathed -- I didn't find it meaningfully worse than the combi.

I've always wanted to try the Nikor but never managed to find one for sale during those times I felt a compulsion to buy one and never quite felt a compulsion to buy one when I saw it for sale. Considering trying the Chinese one. I don't bother with cheap 35 and 120 reels. In my experience the welds on the coils are so sloppy that many of the tanks are just impossible to load. But I don't think there would be an issue here -- the design looks pretty foolproof. But perhaps that's just ignorance talking.
 
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