I am looking for a 5x7 developing tank. The type that permits one to develop about 12 negatives at once. Most of my work is studio shots so I can pretty well control the conditions. Any help on finding one of these tanks or a source for these tanks would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Jerry Cunningham

-- Jerry Cunningham (jkc@digisys.net), October 07, 2001

Answers

I would recommend that you go to a local metal shop and have an aluminum or stainless set made for you that will allow you to handle the number of film hangers you expect to use. That way you minimize your chemistry requirements. In my opinion, finding a used 5x7 tank will be a long shot, but you can always try camera swaps etc. if you are not in a hurry. 4x5 tanks are much more readily available as I found a set of them with lids for $35 at a show here in Colorado last weekend. Good Luck

-- Michael Kadillak (m.kadillak@home.com), October 07, 2001.

They are on eBay all the time. Just keep watching. Look for the Kodak hard rubber tanks. Cheaper than SS, yet just as durable as long as you don't drop them on a cememt floor!

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), October 07, 2001.

Jerry, Cesco-Lite makes a nice little one-gallon plastic tank that comes with a floating lid. They usually run about $20 each at Calumet. I've used these for 5x7 hangers, although I think 12 may be a bit tight. 8-10 may be better. No tank covers though, just floating lids. The toehr option would be a 2 gallon stainless steel tank, and some 2- up hangers. But, this is a much more expensive proposition. Check with a place like California Stainless, Regal, or Leedal for these types of tanks.

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), October 08, 2001.

Just found an option that had never occured to me before. I cleaned out an old artists loft in exchange for his old photo gear. Among cameras & whatnot was a very nice hard rubber '3 hole' developing tank. Each hole (rectangular) takes 6 4x5 sheet film holders beautifully and uses 1/2 gallon of chemistry. This enables one to process their film with developer, stop & fix in one tank in the dark, lifting & agitating as you will in any hard rubber tank.

The catch???

It is an old BF Goodrich Commercial 6 volt battery box. The top was taken off & the 3 compartments were where the acid & lead plates were held. I have not found anything better for 4x5 processing.

If you check with a battery recycling center they may well have some old commercial batteries lying around which would do the job and which should be very inexpensive.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), October 08, 2001.

gdwnphoto@aol.com has lots of stuff like this. They also have hangers.

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), October 08, 2001.