Is the Yankee tank the Antichrist?

[Michael Graves]

So I decided to give the Yankee tank one more try. This time I presoaked for 30 seconds and used a VERY aggressive agitation. Here is the result:


I don't believe that there's any mottling on this shot. I've compared it to a 35mm shot I took at the same time. The tone of the wall is the same in both. The lighter area on the right was really there. I consider that to be a mistake in the composition but the film processing seems to be correct.

How much for the guitar?

[Jim Rice]

Aside from not working all that well, they also require gobs of chemestry.

[Jehu]

Aside from not working all that well, they also require gobs of chemestry.

You've got a point there.

[domenico Foschi]

They are wonderful only for one thing and I use mine a lot .

[Colin Corneau]

They just don't work. Period.

I tried, every possible agitation method. Even taking the film out and dunking it in the dark..nothing ever worked.

I had some priceless negs ruined by that &$#@@!! thing, and learned some LF lessons the very hard way.

There's just too many reports on that thing. Get a Jobo, or even a slosher tray. Anything but that damn tank.

[Tintype Bob]

I use mine to hide my extra cash from my wife - I close the lid and mark it EXPOSED FILM DO NOT OPEN - and she never has.

[Michael Graves]

I use mine to hide my extra cash from my wife - I close the lid and mark it EXPOSED FILM DO NOT OPEN - and she never has.

You have extra cash? How'd you GET it without your wife finding out?

[NiallPhoto]

I use the 4x5 Yankee tank, and recently had a mottling problem when I used Diafine.

Prior to that, I have not observed mottling so I attribute it to the high-concentration developer.

I use 56 fluid ounces of solution, which guarantees coverage of the film, because
some of the solution spills over the top.

I use weak concentration developers: FG7+ 1+15, Rodinal 1+50 & 1+100, HC110-B.
(Though the counter example, Microphen 1+3, worked fine for me)

I agitate by resting the tank on a level surface and moving back and forth. If you
hold it in the air, the tendency is to rock the tank. This may be why the
guitar image above has a parabolic shape. Move back and forth 4 times per 5 seconds,
really slowly, not more than 2 inches left, 2 inches right.

I pour in the solution using a 5 inch funnel, I never let the funnel fill to the top,
I keep the poured solution about 1/3 the way up from the mouth of the spigot. If
you pour too rapidly, I think the developing action increases. Also make sure the
film rack is seated securely. It takes about 15 to 20 seconds to fill the tank this way.

I agitate continuously for the first minute, slowly. Then for 5 seconds, every 30 seconds.

Hope this helps.

[Kirk Keyes]

I've only heard of one guy that was able to tame the Yankee tank. I've never met him, but I heard a couple guys down the street at the Catholic parish talking one day about a guy named Father Damien. I guess he was able to get an even tone out of that tank, but a lot of fighting with it and a lot split pea soup was spilled in the course of it...

I decided to go with Jobos. First with the 2500 tank, and now with a 3010 tank.

[Pete_6109]

I use a Yankee 4x5 tank and I got some spots (airbells) at first so now I presoak the film with a little photo flo. Now I get spots only once in awhile. When I shoot something that I think is worthwhile I send the film out for processing and get it back with no spots at all.