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Thread: Developing 4X5 Worthy

  1. #1

    Developing 4X5 Worthy

    Is it worth developing 4X5 yourself? I do all of my own 35mm but 4X5 how cost worthy is it? and what developing tank should I get?


    P.S. I am on a budget with the tank.

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    You would be blown away by 4x5. It seems more expensive than 35mm but you make fewer exposures. As a rule, the entire process is slower, lower volume, and more contemplative.

    If you already have a 4x5 camera (and enlarger), start by developing the sheets one at a time in a 5x7 or 8x10 tray. After that the main options on a budget are:

    • BTZS Tubes
    • HP Combiplan Tank
    • Jobo Tank with 2509 reels


    The most expensive option is generally a Jobo 3010 tank which is beyond most beginning budgets.

  3. #3
    Downstairs
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    Try this set-up.
    Yesterday I timed the job at 30 minutes from camera set-up to rinse.

  4. #4
    Jim Jones's Avatar
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    I've used only trays for many years. Most photographers should be happy to capture only a few really good images in any day. Developing these in trays consumes little time. However, the learning process does take longer. It's worthwhile.

  5. #5
    ic-racer's Avatar
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    The processing costs are small compared to the cost of the film.

    50ml of Tmax developer will do 10 sheets.
    50ml of fixer will do 10 sheets.
    a few ml of glacial acetic will do 10 sheets.

    I have not added it up, but it is not much.

  6. #6

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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    I use a 3 roll Paterson 4 film tank with an insert for developing 6 film sheets. Insert can be bought new on ebay from UK. 10 ml Rodinal R09 will process TMax sheets in 25 minutes at 20 C. ISO 80. The whole process takes less than 1 hour. Drying from a line overnight and presto.
    Loading of the film tank can be done in a dark bag, so you do not need a dark room, rest can be in daylight.
    I happily developed 50 TMax taken over 6 days of vacation in Picardie last week.

  7. #7

    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    Well everything really helped alot. it seems there are many ways to do it i guess i will try the 5x7 trays. thanks everyone very much. is there any other developing tanks i can get that are 4x5?

  8. #8
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    Search the forum for proper tray-developing technique; it can be tricky and frustrating for the first-timer, but once your method is nailed down, it is very rewarding.
    There are a host of 4x5 tanks, Jbo, Combi-plan, Yankee, BTZS. A search will yield a ton of information about all of these options.

  9. #9
    The Rookie
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    I have been using my budget version of the BTZS tubes. They're made from ABS pipe. The caps are made by gluing a cap and a coupler to a 3/4" long piece of ABS. That becomes the reservoir cap that can hold 2 ounces of fluid. the other end of the 5" piece has a cap glued on.

    Whatever you do, avoid the Yankee 4x5 tank. It's the Antichrist.
    Yeah. I'm familiar with Photoshop. It's the place I buy my film.

  10. #10
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Developing 4X5 Worthy

    Check out the "Slosher" post on this same forum in Darkroom Equipment. These are a good, economical way to develop up to 6 sheets of film. The room has to be dark but that is not a big deal.
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

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