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From: Robert Chin on 20 Oct 2007 12:27
I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so
please bear with me.

My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at
least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw
everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem.

I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires
a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a
dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals,
leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in
the dark.

So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result.
Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive?
Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this?

Advice welcome from all.

Thanks.





From: Jean-David Beyer on 20 Oct 2007 12:27
Robert Chin wrote:
> I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so
> please bear with me.
>
> My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at
> least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw
> everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem.
>
> I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It
> requires a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I
> do not have a dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the
> necessary chemicals, leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film
> holder from tank to tank in the dark.
>
> So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
> tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could
> result. Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really
> obsessive? Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this?
>
I use the Jobo 2500 series sheet film tank and reels; need loader too.
If you use a Jobo processor (I use CPE-2), it takes relatively little
chemistry, and it loads quite fast.


--
.~. Jean-David Beyer Registered Linux User 85642.
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From: Peter on 20 Oct 2007 12:41
On Oct 20, 6:27 pm, "Robert Chin" <bchin...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so
> please bear with me.
>
> My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at
> least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw
> everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem.
>
> I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires
> a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a
> dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals,
> leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in
> the dark.
>
> So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
> tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result.
> Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive?
> Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this?
>
> Advice welcome from all.
>
> Thanks.

It is partly true that taking a long time to fill tanks could lead to
a problem.

The usual problem is inconsistent results. This is most easily
overcome by being very consistent in your technique and selecting
developers that take a reasonably long time (e.g., more than 5
minutes). Uneven development is more likely caused by incorrect
agitation.

The Jobo system (also mentioned) does a fine job, but there are
simpler systems (i.e., involving less equipment).

From: David Nebenzahl on 20 Oct 2007 17:12
On 10/20/2007 9:27 AM Robert Chin spake thus:

> So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
> tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result.
> Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive?
> Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this?

Short answer: forget tray processing. This will kill several birds w/one
stone.

I use a print drum (Beseler Unicolor) to process 4x5 film. Gives
excellent results with minimal amount of chemistry, and does it in
*daylight*. You only need to load the drum in the dark (which you can do
in a dark closet). It gives excellent, consistent, streak-free results.
You can buy the equipment cheap on eBay (that's where I got mine).
From: David Starr on 20 Oct 2007 17:46
On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:27:00 -0400, "Robert Chin" <bchin_us(a)yahoo.com> wrote:

>I'm sorry if this has been answered before. This is a legit question so
>please bear with me.
>
>My set up is not optimum. I do not have a dedicated darkroom (for now at
>least). I've done many many rolls of film over the years. I throw
>everyting into a changing bag, load up a reel and no problem.
>
>I'm getting ready to process 4x5 sheet film for the first time. It requires
>a bit more space to handle the sheet film than rolls. Since I do not have a
>dedicated darkroom, I can't fill the tanks with the necessary chemicals,
>leave them on a tabletop, and just lift the film holder from tank to tank in
>the dark.
>
>So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
>tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result.
>Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive?
>Would I be better off making a light tight space to do this?
>
>Advice welcome from all.
>
>Thanks.
Can you fill the developer tank in advance, and lower the film holder into it in
total darkness? If so, that takes care of the filling. Then, you can, in the
dark, take the top off the tank, dump the developer and pour in the stop bath.
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