Hi folks!

I'm taking a course in Commercial Photography and I've been issued a 4x5 Calumet and I love using the camera!

OK, my question is; Is there a manual developing tank made for sheet film???

The only methods that I've been shown so far is thru tray developing and Jobo processing. I would like to process at home since the school only has one processor and don't want to have to wait in line, and I also would rather not process in total darkness. I would think that there would be some sort of developing tank, similar or like the ones used for roll film.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Ken

-- Ken Eng (kseng@erols.com), September 28, 1998

Answers

Back in the late 50's I used square shaped plastic tank, made by Yankee. It had groves to load up to 8(I think) 4x5 sheets of film. Then you put the top on and turned on the lights to pour chemicals in and out, just like a standard roll film tank. We were doing meat ball press photography back then, so I wouldn't vouch for the evenness of development. You might find one if you posted a posting at photo.net Want to Buy. I got an almost new 12x15 drymount press through a WTB ad there. I got a response in One Day!!

Also there are development tubes on the market that you can load one sheet of film per tube and then pour in chemicals and them roll in a water tray to control the temperature. May be some one else who is currently doing 4x5 work can provide so info on those.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikongut@emji.net), September 28, 1998.

I have found using the tubes the best system for sheet film development. I have tried using trays and tanks with moderate success (agitation and scratching problems). None of those problems with tubes. 'Darkroom Innovation' sells them, they are called BTZS (Beyond the Zone System, designed by Phil Davis)tubes. They are inexpensive, easy to use, but you will have to do part of your work in the dark (stop & fix part)but, that dosen't take that long. Their web site is 'www.darkroom-innovations.com'. Very helpful people there.

-- Michael Wellman (wellman@flash.net), September 28, 1998.

An additional note. I was in camera store yesterday and happened to notice a new 6-4x5 sheet developing tank that is currently on the market. I don't remember the name, but if you call B&H, I'll bet they will have it if you describe what you are looking for

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@emji.net), September 30, 1998.

Ken:

I called South Eastern Camera in Raleigh, NC and the tank is an "HP Combi" tank that holds 6 sheets of 4x5. Tony Mansfield, who owns SE Camera says any one can get one for you, including B&H.

Gene

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@emji.net), September 30, 1998.

Ken,

A manual tank I use for 4 x 5 is brand called "Dorian Cut Film" developing tank in a blue box. Adjustable for all sheet size down to 2.1/2 x 3.1/2. Can hold up to 12 x 4x5's. Bought it about 3 years ago so don't know if still available. Only con is that its solution filling and 'retention' is a bit messy - solution tends to ooze out even with the recommended horizontal-shake agitation. Your point on the Jobo - do you know they have tanks & reels for 4x5 film, and can be used manually like for roll film. Don't know the specific model no.'s.

Regards

D. Barry daba@acay.com.au

-- David Barry (daba@acay.com.au), October 02, 1998.

A correction to part of Michael Wellman's message. You don't have to stop and fix in the dark with the BTZS tubes. Fill a pan or some other container large enough to fully cover the tubes with stop bath, after development is complete dump the developer and in dim room light quickly place the tubes in the stop bath. After about thirty seconds remove the film from the tubes and put the film in one or more open trays of fixer, also under the same dim room light. Once the film hits the stop bath dim room light is fine - no need to work in the dark. The instructions that come with the tubes talk about this and I've been doing it for years, as does Phil Davis himself as you can see if you attend one of his workshops. Otherwise I agree with Michael's excellent advice - the tubes are the way to go for sheet film, I think.

-- Brian Ellis (beellis@gte.net), October 21, 1998.

A correction to part of Michael Wellman's message. You don't have to stop and fix in the dark with the BTZS tubes. Fill a large pan or some other container large enough to fully cover the tubes with stop bath, after development is complete dump the developer and in dim room light quickly place the tubes in the stop bath. After about thirty seconds remove the film from the tubes and put the film in one or more open trays of fixer, also under the same dim room light. Once the film hits the stop bath dim room light is fine - no need to work in the dark. The instructions that come with the tubes talk about this and I've been doing it for years, as does Phil Davis himself as you can see if you attend one of his workshops. Otherwise I agree with Michael's excellent advice - the tubes are the way to go for sheet film, I think.

-- Brian Ellis (beellis@gte.net), October 21, 1998.

As one who has used Jobo processor with the big 6 shooter style developing tank I offer one other solution. It will give more even processing than the daylight tanks suggested so far. Buy the big 6 shooter style JOBO tank and process either on the counter or in a water bath, both by rotating by hand. It may seem clunky but does work and provided more even processing than the other options.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), October 28, 1998.

I have one of the Combi daylight developing tanks mentioned in a previous post (got it free with a lens I bought). It's excellent for scratching negatives and providing uneven development. Unless this is your goal, don't waste your money.

-- Mike Dixon (burmashave@compuserve.com), October 31, 1998.

The Johnson developing tank for 4X5 is the go. These are great to use and use a minimum of chemicals. Everything is daylight proof. They are dificult to get with the fitted sheet film hangers (6) though. Seek and you shall find.

-- david Strachan (strachan@cww.octec.org.au), November 05, 1998.

I have a "FR Daylight Film Developing Tank"...from the 1940's & '50's era. FREESTYLE SALES has one like it in their catalog..."PEREMIER DAYLIGHT 4x5 SHEET FILM DEVELOPING TANK"...up to "12"--4x5 Shts Film can be developed at one time...Cat No.163-645 --$28.95. Their phone number is (800) 292-6137...FAX (800) 616-3686...ED.

-- ED Cherney (getrichkwik@webtv.net), April 20, 1999.

I have a sheet film tank which takes up to 12 sheets, is easy to load and does a first-class job. it can also adjust to handle smaller sizes, although I have only used it for 5"x4". It is made by YANKEE PHOTO PRODUCTS INC CULVER CITY CA90230. I can't see a model No. on the box. Hope this helps

-- Garry Edwards (creativephoto60@hotmail.com), February 12, 2000.

Hi fellow large format users, On the subject of even film development in daylight without a darkroom I feel there is no substitute for a Jobo 4341 sheet film kit .This can be purchased from either B&H or Calumet for under $130 U.S. and it includes the film reel,tank and film loader which simplifies the loading process.I attach the tank to my Jobo CPE -2 Plus but also used on a Beseler or Unicolor motorized roller base.

-- Yee Law (yands@direct.ca), April 30, 2000.

Hi fellow large format users, On the subject of even film development in daylight without a darkroom I feel there is no substitute for a Jobo 4341 sheet film kit .This can be purchased from either B&H or Calumet for under $130 U.S. and it includes the film reel,tank and film loader which simplifies the loading process.I attach the tank to my Jobo CPE -2 Plus but can also used on a Beseler or Unicolor motorized roller base.

-- Yee Law (yands@direct.ca), April 30, 2000.

Hi fellow large format users, On the subject of even film development in daylight without a darkroom I feel there is no substitute for a Jobo 4341 sheet film kit .This can be purchased from either B&H or Calumet for under $130 U.S. and it includes the film reel,tank and film loader which simplifies the loading process.I attach the tank to my Jobo CPE -2 Plus but can also be used on a Beseler or Unicolor motorized roller base.

-- Yee Law (yands@direct.ca), April 30, 2000.