How many 120 rolls would you develop at once?

[sully75]

I just did a batch of TMAX 120 in XTOL that came out, as far as my negatives go, amazing. Best negatives I've ever made.

I used a metal reels in a 2 reel (120) tank.

I have a really long (4 120 reel?) tank that I've never used much. I definitely want to keep up with the perfect negative thing. But I also kind of hate film processing.

Anyway, basic question, do you think using a really long tank ends up causing problems? I'm doing normal agitation.

Thanks
Paul

[David A. Goldfarb]

I do up to 6 at a time.

[ic-racer]

I frequently do 10 rolls of 120 at a time in a rotary Jobo drum.

[koh303]

I frequently do 10 rolls of 120 at a time in a rotary Jobo drum.

Same, never an issue...

[cjbecker]

I think the tank that I use is a 4, 120 reel tank. I don’t hesitate to develop 4 at a time.

[Ken Lee]

Just be sure to bang or tap the tank regularly, to loosen any air bubbles.

[Jay DeFehr]

I develop 5 120 rolls by inversion agitation in a Paterson tank without issues.

[SpeedGraphicMan]

The problem is not the quantity of film, rather the drain times.

For example if you use a Paterson single 120 reel tank, it will empty in much less time a 4-reeler.

That is where you are going to get a variation.

However, if you use several tanks you can "dip and dunk" the reels into each chemical bath.

I have done this myself using some ABS tubes for "tanks".

I put up to 10 rolls on a homemade lift rod, dip it into the developer tube, agitate by lifting up and down.
Then when timer rings, lift out and dunk into tube full of stop bath, then fix, etc.

Works flawlessly every time, you just have to do it in total darkness.

[Jay DeFehr]

The problem is not the quantity of film, rather the drain times.

For example if you use a Paterson single 120 reel tank, it will empty in much less time a 4-reeler.

That is where you are going to get a variation.

However, if you use several tanks you can "dip and dunk" the reels into each chemical bath.

I have done this myself using some ABS tubes for "tanks".

I put up to 10 rolls on a homemade lift rod, dip it into the developer tube, agitate by lifting up and down.
Then when timer rings, lift out and dunk into tube full of stop bath, then fix, etc.

Works flawlessly every time, you just have to do it in total darkness.

The slower drain time doesn't matter, because it's offset by the slower fill time -- the first films in the developer are the first films out, etc.

[Vaughn]

Two double 120 SS tanks at a time...starting the second tank a minute or two after the first tank.