First steps into LF photography ...

leak-o-matic

if assembled correctly, the lid is shut properly, the spout caps on and the top valve closed it shouldn't leak at all :)

forgetting one of these, or not closing the valve properly will result in a "lovely" chemical mess though :)
 
When I was planning on buying my 4x5 I never thought that I would ever use it for portraits but it works out real nice...I actually had a great time doing it...
Nice work all who posted above...
 
Thanks for all the tips !! :) Well ... since having patience is not something I am good at, I have already ordered one of these 4x5 Combiplan tanks ("leak-o-matic" as Keith called it :D) and meanwhile stick two sheets into my 700ml Masuko 1201 tank ...

Those tanks get a terrible review, I use a Jobo 2502, each reel will hold 6 sheets off 4x5. However it takes 1.5l of chemical to fill the tank if you want to do inversion processing. When my Razzledog arrives I might consider adding a roller base.
 
Nice to see you getting into LF Gabor ... I hope you enjoy the 'leak-o-matic' and what you've posted so far is very nice. Think about a Paterson Orbital if you can find one though ... they are seriously good. It took me a while to get one at a sensible price through a saved ebay search but it happened eventually.

I used my Crown the other day for the first time in a while ... with a few sheets of Chinese Era 100. This was the best pic I managed to get out of four ... two actually taken without the bellows extended accidentally. LOL


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In my opinion (which probably isn't worth much) the HP Combi Plan tank is good. I've not had any problem with mine.

Enjoy your new LF gear...it's a lot of fun. I took the below picture in Auckland a few days ago, and developed it today (in the HP Combiplan). Still need to do some post processing. Koday TMax 400 (TMY) developed in Ilford LC-29 (the only developer I can find in New Zealand) for 5.5 minutes. Chamonix 45-1n, Rodenstock 115mm

Jeff
 

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The Combiplan works OK ... though it is a little slow to drain and refill. Mine always leaked though and I tried numerous ways to stop it happening all to no avail ... I suspect some are worse than others. What definitely made me decide in favour of the Paterson Orbital was being able to develop four negs in 200ml or less of solution as against a litre to do six in the Combiplan.

I think I paid seventy dollars for my Paterson and it was new in the box, unused! I also get very even develpment with the Orbital which I didn't always get with the Combiplan due to it's slow drain and refill cycle.
 
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