Developing more than 2 rolls per tank - anything in particular to look out for?

[fixbones]

I have always developed my films in batches of 2 for the past 40 rolls.

Tempted to buy a bigger tank i.e 3 or 4 rolls/tank.

Was wondering if there is anything in particular to look out for when developing in larger batches. Any tips and advice?

 

[nikon_sam]

I do it the same whether it's one roll of five...although it's rare for me to do five rolls...I do develop the same with my three roll tank...
There may be other opinions...😀😎😉

 

[Freakscene]

The only difference is the physical difference in handling for agitation. Larger tanks are a bit harder to hold (one hand on top, one underneath is how I do it), and more force is required and it is a bit slower to get the tank from upright to upside down to back again.

Marty

 

[Roger Hicks]

A useful trick, if you can work in the dark, is to have all the reels on a single support (a stainless steel rod or wire running down the middle); have the tank ready filled (top off) with dev; and drop the stack of reels into the tank. This gives you MUCH faster, more even wetting.

Long dev times (7-8 minutes minimum, ideally 10-12 or more) will minimize the percentage difference between the first films to get covered/splashed/drained/soaked in short stop, and the last.

An Ilford party-piece used to be developing; pulling the lid off the tank; pulling out the reels; and saintering across the room to put the reels in the fixer. Either the induction time for the new exposure is longer than the saunter or the amount of development of the new exposure is negligible -- or possibly both. Of course the film is also much desensitized by the development process.

Cheers,

R.

 

[rxmd]

If you want to use larger tanks, you might get one of those Ilford/Cibachrome roller bases with a motor. Basically it's just a motor with rubber wheels on top that spins the tank:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGYaly5gFGA

It's much more convenient because it gets your hands free during the fixing phase, and (depending on your developer) also during the development phase. They were originally sold for the Cibachrome process, but since nobody does Cibachrome anymore, they are available for very cheap. I used to have two that I got for under 5 EUR each.

 

[fixbones]

Good suggestions so far.
The reason i've been developing 2 at a time is because i find it easier to manage in term of obtaining a more even development.
Also, recently, i have been experimenting with developing at a slightly higher temp - around 24 degrees and might even try 28 degrees in the future.
Was thinking that it might be a bit tricky trying to keep the temp constant.

A short vacation/shooting trip for me usually yields about 10 rolls of negative, which is still ok when developing 2 at a time i suppose.....

Roger: I don't have a darkroom unfortunately 🙁