Advanced daylight tank for sheet film - survey

[Jeff Dexheimer]

In the intrest of doing market research, I have a design in mind and on paper for a sheet developing system. I am want to determine if it would be worth my effort to proceed to the next step, so I am asking for your input.

Here is the gist of how it would work:
1. It would be a tray system of sorts, allowing the user to agitate their film by rocking the system much like tray processing for developing paper.
2. You would be able to develop up to 10 sheets (of 4x5, less for 5x7 and 8x10) at a time and as few as one.
4. All 10 sheets would remain separate from each other. No sheet of film would touch another sheet of film.
3. It would be light tight as soon as it is loaded with film and properly sealed. It would remain light tight through the entire process, so it would be considered a daylight tank.
4. You could process all 10 sheets of film for different time intervals, so it would be fully zone system reedy.
5. Would use no more than a liter of developer per development.
6. Extreme ease of use. It would be easier to load than your standard film holder
7. *only a slight possibility* it would be temperature controlled. This would probably add significantly to the cost.

I would start this unit with a price-point of about $80.

My question then becomes, would enough people want one? If it were you and you saw a system like I described would you likely pay $80 for it?

[ScottPhotoCo]

It sounds interesting. What size (s) of film would it accept? How difficult is it to clean and store?

Tim
www.ScottPhoto.co

[jp]

I'd try that for $80. Temperature control isn't important, different time intervals isn't important, but it could be handy for developing more than one type of film at the same time if it were practical.

I've used tray, combiplan, and mod54 so far and use the combiplan mostly, and without problem, but I don't love it.

[brucep]

Yes definitely

[Nicolasllasera]

I would give it a try. Sounds good.

[Jeff Dexheimer]

Awesome, sounds like a positive start. Tim, it would have to come in different sizes. I would likely make a 4x5 version and 8x10 version. If there is enough interest in 7x5, I would make that available too.

[Per Madsen]

Yes, absolutly.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Quite possibly... I'd need to see more, like a schematic or something.

[gleaf]

Take a 4 x 5 film hanger, cut the top off so you have just the lower frame and film gate. 4 fit in an 11 x 14 tray. 4 at a time tray development. No abrasion to the film. It is seldom cost effective to reinvent a working wheel and there are several out there. Never the less. good luck. One must try or one does not learn.

[Leigh]

5. Would use no more than a liter of developer per development.

The required volume of developer varies with the dilution and the number of films.

For example, Rodinal at 1:100 requires 1000ml total volume for 10 4x5 films.

At 1:200, it requires 2000ml for 10 4x5 films (this dilution is beyond manufacturer's recommendations).
In this case, you could only do a maximum of 5 4x5 films.

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One critical aspect regarding acceptance of the product is absolute even development.
A common problem with sheet film tank development is uneven density due to turbulence.

- Leigh