Developing sheet film

[Kenj8246]

Noob question here about home developing 4X5 sheets. I tried the tortilla method with marginal success. I only used two sheets and, I think, I'd have been better served to put three sheets in the plastic two reel tank, as suggested by the video(s) I saw.

Any of you develop your own? What method? Any ideas appreciated.

Kenny

 

[Vince Lupo]

Simma Roller drum with a motor base. Holds 4 sheets of 4"x5" or 2 sheets 8"x10". Easy, reliable and efficient. Plus you don't need a lot of chemicals, and your hands stay dry.

 

[Particular]

I have modified a Jobo 4530 tank by gluing in strips of plastic from a model supply store to make additional clips. It can now take 8 sheets of 4x5 or two 8x10s. I don't have a roller base, so I just roll it gently back and forth in my bath tub.

 

[Keith]

Paterson Orbital ... recommended to me by Roger Hicks and he has some info on his website about the system. A little hard to find but worth the effort because it uses so little chemicals to do four sheets at a time.

I was using a Combi Plan which was a total heap of crap IMO! Slow to fill, slow to empty and leaked like a sieve ... not to mention a litre of solution to do six sheets.

 

[f16sunshine]

Jobo for me with manual rolling agitation.
I only develop B+W to this point although, with no one left in town to do E6 and a few hundred sheets in the freezer…On the look out for a system 😛

 

[gns]

If you have a darkroom, just develop in trays. Simple, cheap, great results. You can do several sheets at a time. You don't need tanks, rollers or any other contraptions. Something like this guy's videos will easily get you going...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJpcvArDKno

Gary

 

[nikon_sam]

I happened to win one of these a few years ago and at a very decent price...
It uses a liter of chemistry to develop 1 or all 12 sheet that it can hold, so you're better off going with as many sheets as possible...
There is a company that makes an insert for Paterson tanks that holds 6 sheets...

 

[alienmeatsack]

I use the Paterson tank meant for two 35mm or one 120 roll for my 4x5 film/paper. I place two in there, one on each side of the middle divider.

It requires a full tank of developer to properly cover the film or papers completely but I've not had any issues either with coverage, film/paper overlapping and not allowing proper development or similar thus far.

I tried to do the tortilla method but this kept the funnel lid from fitting in the tank. So I've stuck to this until I can find a better means to do it.

 

[Moto-Uno]

I've only used the small trays and 1/2 litre of chemicals does 4 sheets,cheap,easy and it's worked fine from the get go. It also allows you to vary the time for each sheet.
Peter

 

[JustPlainBill]

Hi,
Like Nikon Sam, I use a Nikor tank for developing sheet film. Works great for 4 by 5 and smaller sheet film.
JustPlainBill

 

[maddoc]

I use the a Patterson tank (3x 135) and the plastic insert that holds 6 sheets a 4x5. I also have a Combiplan tank including washer but as Keith mentioned above it is less than ideal for various reasons (however, works)

 

[maddoc]

Is this a Nikon tank ?

I happened to win one of these a few years ago and at a very decent price...
It uses a liter of chemistry to develop 1 or all 12 sheet that it can hold, so you're better off going with as many sheets as possible...
There is a company that makes an insert for Paterson tanks that holds 6 sheets...

 

[Shac]

Until recently I developed all of my 4x5 in 8x10 trays - no problems. Now I've started to use one of the 4x5 Nikkor tanks as shown above. Seems to be fine and easier b/c I no longer have a darkroom. (load at night with all lights in the apartment off). I bought mine on the classifieds of APUG. Doesn't have the outer springs, but I use a rubber band.

 

[gns]

I've only used the small trays and 1/2 litre of chemicals does 4 sheets,cheap,easy and it's worked fine from the get go. It also allows you to vary the time for each sheet.
Peter

Good point.

 

[Photo_Smith]

I have a Paterson Orbital which can do 4x4x5 sheets or one 8x10.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I use a Paterson tank with Mod54 insert.

 

[Jamie123]

I use a Jobo 2521 with the 2509n 4x5 reel that takes 6 sheets. I now go to a friend's house to use his Jobo Processor and it works very nicely but I've also just rolled the drum on the table in the past and that worked, too. I would only use it for rotary processing, though, as the inversion method takes way too much chemicals.

I would love to have a Jobo Expert drum but they're rather pricey.

 

[ChrisN]

Combi-plan tank here. Keith's description is pretty good, but until I can find an Orbital cheap (and they never are these days), I'll stick with the Combi-plan. They do work, but they can be a little messy. And they need 1050ml, not one litre, or you get a strip at the top not developed properly. Ask me how I know.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Here's the Orbital link:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps how orbital.html

As already noted, the trick lies in finding 'em cheap nowadays.

Cheers,

R.

 

[2ndApplePie]

I've been using trays for quite a while, but one of those Nikkor tanks look nice. My darkroom is light tight for paper, but it takes extra effort for film. I tried one of those Yankee tanks but promptly sold it.. that thing have me so much trouble!