Nikkor 4x5 dev. tank

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I found, and bought, an odd stainless steel developing tank at a swap meet. It looks like an over-grown two-reel roll film tank, but the "reel" actually holds 12 sheets of 4x5 film in a series of "pinwheel-like" slots. It looks like the ultimate 4x5 daylight tank, well made by Nikkor, seems to fill and drain fast, and it's easy to load. Has anyone else used one of these. Are they still made? And are they as good as they seem at glance, or are there hidden problems?

Chris

-- Chris Kulczycki (chris@clcinc.com), August 31, 1998

Answers

I know what you are talking about. I have never used one of those tanks, but I have seen a few.

I would think they will work fine. about the only caution might be to take it a little easy on the agitation until you see how your negatives turn out. It seemed like there was a lot of flow patterns that could be set up that would result in streaky development.

If you can get good even skies, then you are right on. Go for it.

-- Tony Brent (ajbrent@mich.com), September 07, 1998.


Make sure the "band", a metal band which clips around the middle after loading, is there. Otherwise, the sheets have a tendency to come out of the slots. They haven't been made for some time now, but work well.

-- Alec Jones (alecj@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net), October 03, 1998.

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