Daylight Tank options for 4x5

[Bob Kerner]

I'm toying with the idea of developing my own B&W in 4x5. It will be in a daylight tank. I know how to do 35mm and have a 2 reel Patterson tank. I've read through the threads here and it seems the popular options are (and please correct me if I misunderstand any of the options):

1) Jobo 2500: reliable, gets good reviews. Rotation method requires less volume than inversion.

2) Jobo Expert Drum: more money and complexity than I care to deal with starting out.

3) HP Combiplan. Seems simple enough. Some users say it's inconsistent; others love it.

My inclination is to try #1, with the rollers to save some chemicals; however, I cannot find these tanks (or the rollers) at either of the two big retailers in NY. B&H lists it as discontinued, though it's still on the Jobo site. No luck at Adorama either. Are they made of unobtainium and must be purchased from the auction site?

I know there's a guy on Ebay selling holders for 4x5 to be used in the Patterson tanks, but there are a lot of reports of the outer sheets falling out of the holder. I don't need that headache while starting out.

Am I missing an option? Where do I find the Jobo tank and rollers?

Thanks
Bob

[Gem Singer]

The HP Combi-Plan tank will give you the most bang for the buck.

Takes a bit of learning and practice to master it.

Consider that no matter which tank you choose, you will need a completely dark environment while loading the film into the tank.

A Harrison Pup tent makes a nice mini darkroom for loading 4X5 film into a Combi-Plan tank.

[Bob Kerner]

Thanks, Gem. I've got the darkness requirement covered with a pup tent.

Any particular reason you suggest the Combi over the Jobo?

[eddie]

i hate the combi tank (but others love it) i use a "doran" brand daylight tank ($25 or so). works perfect for me. 12 sheets. no issues. i buy them when i can for back up. make sure you get the guide piece.

here is a complete one at a recently ended auction.

eddie

[Gudmundur Ingolfsson]

Remember the BTZS tubes. Still available from The View Camera Store.

[rdenney]

1) Jobo 2500: reliable, gets good reviews. Rotation method requires less volume than inversion.

2) Jobo Expert Drum: more money and complexity than I care to deal with starting out.

3) HP Combiplan. Seems simple enough. Some users say it's inconsistent; others love it.

Of these, only the Combiplan can be bought new. Jobo ceased production a while back, so both the 2500-series tanks and reels and 3000-series tanks can only be bought on the used market. A 2551 tank with two 2509n reels might cost about the same used as a Combiplan, and both will be about half as much as a used 3010.

All of these work if properly used. There are sometimes complaints that the Combiplan fills and empties slowly, but this can be accommodated in your standardized technique.

I have personally just invested in a used Jobo 2551 and a 2509n reel, but have not yet done anything with it. Those, too, have generated the occasional complaint about uneven development, but I think those have to do with rotary processing too fast, or without a reversing rotator. (You can make a rotator with a set of cheapie plastic caster wheels and a board, by the way.) Most people have no difficulty.

Only the Jobo expert tanks seem able to defy accidental misuse, but they are quite pricey.

Rick "be sure to get the 2509n reel and not the older plain 2509" Denney

[Gem Singer]

Bob,

Check out my article on the LF Home page:

"Developing 4x5 Sheet Film, an Alternative Method"

The Combi-Plan tank lends itself very nicely to dip-and -dunk processing, as well as to minimal agitation, which is very effective with Pyrocat-HD developer in obtaining high accutance.

[Lachlan 717]

Another vote for the 2-Series Jobo tank with the 2509n reels.

[banjo]

I have used a Price Monotank tank with Kodak SS film hangers
works great!
Banjo

[Ari]

+1 for Jobo.
Expensive, yes, but easy to load, durable, easily maintains temperature, and as you said, uses a lot less chemistry.
Makes for a quick and clean developing session.