Need a tank

I use Paterson tanks and reels. I guess that makes me a sissy.

Why do I use them? They are very easy to load and I can use the same reels for both 135 and 220 film. And they are tough, which is important because I carry them with me when I go to my zone system class.

As for tank size - I started with a smaller tank (1 roll 220 or 2 rolls of 135). It's easiers to handle and I'm often processing just 1/3 of a single roll to test development times. But I have added a larger tank, too. Because sometimes I want to process several rolls at once.

Tanks are cheap. I like having more than one size.

Good luck!
Robert
 
Honu-Hugger said:
What is the point of doing one roll in a huge tank?
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Huge? A four reel tank is "huge"? Well, OK... everyone has their own definition of "huge" I guess.



My suggestion is to start with a single roll tank and then add a larger tank later. Your advice quoting from above is "Start with a tank that will take 4 35mm reels or 2 120 reels. This is the smallest you want." Your statement seems rather absolute --
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My suggestion was for a first timer to maximize his start-up capabilities vs. his start-up costs. On a capacity basis, a 1 reel tank will cost more than a 4 reel tank. If cost is no object, buy one in every size available. If you are going to only buy one, get a 4 reeler. The first time you end up staring at a dozen rolls of film needing souping, you will understand pretty clearly the difference between having a one reel tank and having a four reel tank.

And my statement was VERY absolute... as all statements are. ;)

Last, someone mentioned the fill time being less for a 1 reel tank vs. a 4 reel tank, both developing a single reel. Huh? I can pour 250ml into a 4 reel tank just as fast as I can pour 250ml into a 1 reel tank. I must be missing something here unless you are saying that just because you have a larger tank you have to fill it to the brim each time... which is not the case at all.

But hey, it is all opinions... mine, yours, and everyone else's. Take the advice that suits your situation best is my motto. :)

Tom
 
Let me jump in, if I may....

Tom's advice on buying a larger capacity tank is valid, as he explained above. You can develop 1 reel in a 4-reel tank, using the same amount of chemisty as you would for 1 reel tank, and that same amount of chemistry will be poured in/out of the 4-reel tank just as fast/slow as from the 1-reel tank.
So, apart from larger size, if you want to use 4-reel tank to develop just 1 reel at a time, it's practically the same. As Tom said, you don't have to fill it to the brim if you are souping just 1 reel.
OTOH, once you have 4-6 films waiting to be developed (and if you shoot moderate amount of film, this WILL happen :)), a 4-reel tank is a blessing. :)

However, if you're absolutely sure you'll never develop more than 1 film at a time, by all means, go with the smallest tank you can find...

I think the above exchange of opinions was just a small misunderstanding. No need to get all worked up about it... :)

BTW, my largest tank holds 5 reels of "Leica-format" (i.e. 35mm) film. If I have more than that, I can insert 2 films per reel. The tank in question goes on the Jobo CP machine :) However, most of the time I have 1-3 films to develop, and I do them "manually" in a hand inversion tank that holds 2 reels of 35mm film.

Denis
 
We could debate tank size for days, then move onto agitation methods, temperature, chemicals, and on and on ad nauseum. Over many years of advice from articles, good books, and discussions with other photographers I've arrived at a system that works well for me; I suggest others do likewise.
 
So yu need a tank. I think tanks are like other ex-soviet stuff, you might find a cheap T-72 somewhere where there are FEDs. ;-) Postage and packaging might be slightly more expensive, though.
 
I use Patterson tanks and reels. I have a smaller tank (2 x 35mm, or one 120 film) and a larger tank capable of 5 x 35mm or 3 x 120 films.
 
hard to believe that we're on a photo site and arguing about how to have the 'least' amount of gear.
i have about 5 or 6 (maybe 7) patterson tanks in most every size they make.
i used to do a lot of mega shooting and process many rolls at once. i used 2 large tanks.
now i shoot maybe 2 rolls an outing, usually one, so a smaller tank is just more convenient, for both storage and use.
i also just got a staniless steel tank & reel again, after maybe 30 years of not using one.
should be fun.
and if you're anything like me, what you really need will be lots of dry towels.
joe
 
I have to come down on the side of SS tanks and reels. I have a two-roll (which I hardly ever use) and four-roll Kinderman. Years ago I had a 0ne-roll tank and found it almost useless.

When I develop one or two rolls in the 4-roll tank I put in empty reels to keep the film reels from sliding and put in just enough solution to cover the film reels. If you don't get carried away on the agitation you aren't going to have streaking problems. When I agitate I don't turn the tank upside down--just on its side, then rotate a couple of times--I try not to do it exactly the same on each agitation.
Another value of SS tanks is temperature control. The SS transmits heat or cold much more quickly so you can fill the sink or a container with water of the correct temperature, then immerse the tank in it between agitations.
Some people love the plastic reels but I find SS much easier to load--especially in a changing bag. And if there is even one spot of moisture in the track of a plastic reel, your are going to be in for a real rodeo when you try to load the film.
 
To each his own, no problem, no worries! Whatever works. It's all good.

I happen to like plastic for its thermal properties. A solution that I pour in at a certain temp comes out at the same temp (providing the tank and contents have been previously tempered) due to plastic's insulativeness.
 
I won't get into the tank size debate.. the size of my tank is my business ;)

Anyway, this is what I started with (and still use):

Paterson 2 reel tank: Old, but perfect condition in box with reel at a thrift store for $3!

Extra reel: Not paterson brand but a direct knock off.

Kalt Changing bag: I got a small one, follow Toms advice on a large bag, small ones suck

Thermometer: From what I gather not as important for Diafine, but if you want to work with other developers its a must.

Cheap-o kitchen timer: Not the best solution, but it works OK. I would recommend a nicer timer.

Film clips: The camera store threw these in for free :)

Graduates: I only use one at the moment

Syringe: I already had this, I use the kind that are sometimes given out with childrens prescriptions. Its great for measuring out really small amounts.

Bottle opener: You have to get that film out of the can some way

Scissors: Cutting off the leader and the spool.. you can tear the spool off also

Funnel: To get your fixer back into the bottle.

Bottles: I got a couple of one gallon brown bottles, again free from the camera store. I only use one at the moment for my fixer as I use my developer one-shot.

TMAX Developer

Ilford Rapid-Fix

Kodak Photo-flo

Hypo Check: Tests fixer exhaustion

Throw away film: To practice loading reels a bit before trying it in the dark. The plastic reels are easy, but a couple of run throughs wouldn't hurt.

Notebook: Always write down you dilutions, temp, time, film type, etc. This helps me out a lot.

All in all, including chems I spent less than $100, and that was at a Camera store (well, except the tank which would have added another $10 - 15).

Hope this helps!

Michael
 
My 2 cents on the film developing tanks.

I have patterson plastic tanks in sizes that take one reel, two reels and four. I have stainless steel tanks for one and two rolls. I have plastic reels and stainless steel reels.

What I use most is a Unicolor rotary system. This tank has a plunger at one end that makes it adjustable from one to six reels of 35mm or one to four 120 reels. It uses plastic reels which can be a pain to load as has been mentioned if they are not completely dry. I also dislike loading 36 exposure rolls of film, it seems that the last frame or so refuses to load easily.

I load up to 4 sheets of 4x5 into an 8x10 Unicolor paper drum for processing.

As you may or may not know the Unicolor system is a rotating system that reverses direction after each rotation. Beseler made a similar rotating base, but it does not reverse direction.

The one thing that is annoying about the Unicolor film drums is its tendency to leak around the seals. A liberal application of vasoline applied to the seals reduces this leak to nothing or almost nothing.

Timer!! I did not see any one list a timer. I use a small digital cooking timer from Wally world about $6.
Funnels for pouring solutions into bottles.
Disposable gloves in case your skin is sensitive to chemicals.
Dark Room Book A good dark room book on basics like:
Do it in the Dark by Tom Burk
The Basic Darkroom Book by Tom Grimm
Ilford Monochrome Darkroom Practise by Jack H. Coote
The Negative by (Saint) Ansel Adams

Music A good CD player and a stack of your favorite CD's.
Developing fluid (very similar to focussing fluid) I prefer Jack Daniels.

Hope this helps. I am by no means an expert, but I have developed one or two rolls in my life time.

Wayne

Edit: I see that mstevenson was typing at the same time as me only he is faster at typing and posting than me. :)
 
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i have never used a dark (changing) bag. i load film in the bathroom. i put an old towel at the base of the door.
never ruined a film.
joe
 
I have been developing using the timer on the stove but recently picked up a GraLab 300 timer on Ebay. During my previous photographic era I always had a GraLab and loved it. It has a huge analog dial that makes keeping track of agitation intervals easy. You can time with just about any time-keeping device but if you plan to do much developing I would recommend looking for a good deal on a big dedicated timer.

I would like to load in a darkened room rather than a changing bag. Unfortunately, our house has windows EVERYWHERE so unless I wait until it's dark outside I can't load film without a changing bag.
 
I have always preferred a dark room for loading film, but with the addition of kids and wife in my life ( good things, overall ), I've had to get a changing bag to load reels. I kinda hate a changing bag because my hands get all moist and sweaty quickly. I have to be careful to only grip the film by the edges when loading reels, or it leaves fingerprints on the emulsion.
In a darkened room, more than once, I've had to put film away fast, because someone is frantically knocking on the door, " I GOTTA PEE. HURREEEEE!!!"
Changing bags are nice to have anyway, you can open the back of your camera mid roll if something jams up.

Robin
 
Thanks for all the information, I will have to reread some of this thread a little later on. For now I think I will look for a tank that can hold 2 rolls of 35mm/1 120 (just in case) since this seems like my size at the moment. I dont shoot too much mainly because I like to take my time with film.

Looks like I will need a fixer, which brand should I get? Would something like this be fine?

As for negative sleeves, I have plenty laying around the house at the moment, when I run out of those I can buy some then. I will skip on the changing bag for now since I have an awsome walk in closet that would work well for simply loading a tank.

With Diafine I shouldnt have to worry too much about agitation or temperature, although I have a thermometer at hand. Timer I have. Flask and bottles I also have.

Seems like I have almost everything I will need for now, just need advice on the fixer and will start looking for a tank soon.
 
backalley photo said:
hard to believe that we're on a photo site and arguing about how to have the 'least' amount of gear.
i have about 5 or 6 (maybe 7) patterson tanks in most every size they make.
i used to do a lot of mega shooting and process many rolls at once. i used 2 large tanks.
now i shoot maybe 2 rolls an outing, usually one, so a smaller tank is just more convenient, for both storage and use.
i also just got a staniless steel tank & reel again, after maybe 30 years of not using one.
should be fun.
and if you're anything like me, what you really need will be lots of dry towels.
joe
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Joe,
You must have thought that we had taken leave of our senses; we were arguing about which tank should be the first of many -- not less!!! :D

I walked into the darkroom fully expecting to find at least six, maybe eight or ten tanks. Much to my surprise there are only five. So far, of all the advice given on this thread I like the T-72 suggestion best; built-in portable darkroom and constant agitation once you put it in motion -- it's the next tank I want to buy.
 
berci said:
So yu need a tank. I think tanks are like other ex-soviet stuff, you might find a cheap T-72 somewhere where there are FEDs. ;-) Postage and packaging might be slightly more expensive, though.
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berci,

One would also need to climb inside the cheap Soviet tank and check for light leaks... :p
 
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