Uniroller and Unidrum

[dazedgonebye]

Any reason at all I won't like this for developing 4x5 black and white?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250322235192

 

[shadowfox]

Any reason at all I won't like this for developing 4x5 black and white?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250322235192

You will like it a lot *if*:

- The rubber gasket is not leaking liquids when the drum is rotatin on the roller. Check with the seller, if possible, have him fill the drum with water, put it on the roller for 10 minutes and see how much water he got leaking. A good gasket will leak none.

- The roller is ... rolling when turned on, mine weren't, good thing I got a spare.

You'll need a spacer so the 4x5 sheets doesn't cover each other during development, anything that doesn't stain or dissolve in developing chemicals can be used.

I think I've explained how the 4x5 sheets fit inside the drum on another thread.

 

[nikon_sam]

Steve,
I've heard/read that it can be done as long as you have the spacers or you have to make spacers...
I have one with two drums...11x14 Printdrum and Filmdrum for developing 35mm film (comes with two reels)
I got them at a garage sale when I picked up a Beseler 23c II...
I'm not planning on using them so if you're interested drop me a PM...
Forgot to mention I also have the Unicolor Motor Base (Model 352)

 

[dazedgonebye]

Shadowfox,
I remember you posted those instructions. I'll find them again if I end up with one of these.

nikon_sam
I'll pm you.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Steve,

Dunno, but you might also care to look at http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how orbital.html

Any drum/tray with smooth walls may also mean that the film requires re-fixing to remove film backing if the film sticks to the wall (as described in that article).

Cheers,

R.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Thanks Roger,

I have a follow on question.

I see the Jobo 2521 takes 6 sheets of 4x5 on a reel. The Jobo site says that their tanks are not designed for inversion developing because they would use too much developer.
I don't care how much developer I use. Barry's 2-step is re-usable and cheap.

Any idea if I can use this tank for inversion development?

 

[venchka]

Yep!

Yep!

Thanks Roger,

I have a follow on question.

I see the Jobo 2521 takes 6 sheets of 4x5 on a reel. The Jobo site says that their tanks are not designed for inversion developing because they would use too much developer.
I don't care how much developer I use. Barry's 2-step is re-usable and cheap.

Any idea if I can use this tank for inversion development?

Yes, that lid will allow inversion agitation. I have 3 of those lids and two with the cog on it. The cog lids work better in the horizontal position on my Uniroller or Beseler motor base.

The short 2521 tanks don't fit on a Uniroller/Beseler base-too short. What does fit is the 2551/2553 (same tank with either the big red stopper lid or the small cog lid) tank that holds several reels including the 2509 sheet film reel. It is FABULOUS! I also have the 3010 Expert tank that is even better for 4x5 sheet film.

My advice: Jobo 2551/2553, several roll film & sheet film reels and either the Uniroller or Beseler motor base. If you ever find a good deal on the 3010 sheet film tank jump on it with both feet.

PS: The small Jobo tank requires ~1,300 ml of developer for inversion or stand processing. On a motor base, you can use a lot less. I always round up so I don't exhaust the developer.

Good luck!

 

[dazedgonebye]

1.3l? Wow, is that tank really that big?

So, if I can find a 2551/2553 and sheet reels I can use that on a uniroller base.

Ok, going to start looking.

 

[venchka]

Yep!

Yep!

1.3l? Wow, is that tank really that big?

So, if I can find a 2551/2553 and sheet reels I can use that on a uniroller base.

Ok, going to start looking.

Works like a charm. 35mm & 120/220 also. All at once if you like. 🙂

I used 800ml of Xtol 1:3 in my 2553 last Friday for a roll of 120 Pan-F+. I'll be scanning those negatives tonight. They look really nice. I am totally sold on the Jobo tanks and Uniroller or Beseler bases. You'll need a funnel with a flexible tube on it to fill the tanks while they spin on the base. I got mine at Wal-Mart in the auto oil changing section for about $2.

Good luck! Show us your results!

 

[kaiyen]

With the uniroller drum, the one you have linked off of ebay is for prints. And that's what you want - the ridges allow developer and fixer to get to both sides of the film. With a film drum you will not only contend with possible poor fixing but I've had uneven development with the one I used. I now have two print drums.

Also, you can get away with way less developer in the drums. Basically, however much you need to get the minimum amount of developer for the amount of film will be enough. So if I'm doing 2 5x7 sheets in my 8x10 drum with Rodinal, which nominally needs 10ml per sheet and I'm doing 1:50, I mix up 20ml of Rodinal and 1 liter of water (so yeah, that's still a liter) and I go for it. With Pyrocat, which can be 1:1:100, I'm only using like 300 ml of working solution. Very economical.

And with sheet film you don't need the extra acutance from intermittent agitation nearly as much as with 35mm or even MF film. But that's my opinion.

 

[shadowfox]

As Wayne said, the other benefit of using the Uniroller setup is the amount of chemicals. I now got it stable for up to 4 sheets off 4x5 using 300ml. Some suggest even 200ml, but I don't want to push my luck.

Roger, the wall of the Unicolor drum has ridges, it's not flat, so there's not problem with fixer not doing its job.

 

[venchka]

I tend to use way too much developer. Still, I can do 4 sheets of 4x5 in the 3010 with 400ml of Xtol 1:3. Jobo says 210ml is the minimum. To me, that's scary. Developer is cheap.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger, the wall of the Unicolor drum has ridges, it's not flat, so there's not problem with fixer not doing its job.

Dear Will,

Thanks for that. I didn't know, so made the warning in terms of 'any tank' (I've tried a couple that aren't). And now I do know, for which I am grateful.

Cheers,

R.

 

[venchka]

Samples from my latest roll of HP5+ in the Jobo 2553 here...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66227