Happy MOD54 users?

[kaif]

This is something of a follow-up to cupcake's thread about the best easy to use tank for developing 4x5 sheets...

I recently got myself a MOD54 tank insert, and seem to have a choice between two problems when using it: I can either go for a developing cycle with strong and frequent agitation, and end up with relatively even development, but the back of the films gets heavily scratched where the retaining fingers hold the film. OR: I go for more gentle agitation and end up with underdeveloped areas, again in proximity of the holding fingers. Neither is ideal, although the scratches encountered in the first approach don't necessarily show in scans, so this seems the lesser problem.

As a reference, I used Ilford Delta 100 film and either Ilfotech DD-X or Ilford Perceptol (stock) developer. I should also say that after a bit of practice I didn't have the loading problems others seem to have encountered, nor have I so far had any cases of negatives dislodging or touching each other.

I understand that some people recommend longer development times and higher developer dilutions for use with the MOD54. While I would be hesitant to choose my developer mix to suit the tank, rather than the negative, it would be great to know what chemistries and agitation people are using who have been happy with their MOD54!

It would also be great to hear from anyone who managed to get good consistent C-41 results with their MOD54 - this is something which after my b/w results so far, I have not been confident enough to try with this system.

[locutus]

I have been very happy with mine, my development regime is Ilford FP4 at ISO100 developed in Rodinal at 1:25 for 9 minutes at 20C. 30 seconds initial agitation and then 1 gentle inversion every minute.

I have yet to get scratch marks or uneven development, but i only contact print (4 5x4's on a sheet) and at that size i cant see defects with a loupe on either negatives or print.

as always FWIW, YMMV, etc.

[Sandro]

With MOD54 I use the spinner every minute (or every 15" with Pyro), and only one very gentle tank inversion in thw whole process. I fear inversions could unmount the films.
No underdevelopments whatsoever.
With C41 and E6 processes I strictly follow instructions, always with spin and one single very slow inversion. No issues so far.

I keep temperatures much stable because the tank and every process bottle are immersed in a sink at the process temperature.
I use demineralized water always.

[mathieu Bauwens]

Take great care to put the emulsion of the sheet films facing the interior of the tank, otherwise you will some undevelopped marks at the retainings fingers place on your films. Use mine for 6 years now,a nd never had any issues with it.

[alexmuir]

I use the spinner for first ten seconds, then gentle inversions every minute. I've used HP5 in various dilutions of HC110, but more recently Microphen stock for 6mins 30secs. I haven't noticed scratching or uneven development. I'm very happy with it, although it's easiest to load in a Darkroom rather than a bag or small tent.
Alex.


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[IanBarber]

I use the Mod54 with FomaPan and TMAX Films and HC11o, XTOL and Pyro

I have seen the odd scratch on the Fomapan but never on TMAX. I invert for the first 60 seconds and then 5 gentle inversions every minute.

I max number of films I load onto the MOD 54 is 4.

I load the holder in a changing bag but I do find it cumbersome.

Are you loading the holder in a darkroom or a changing bag ?

[kaif]

Hi Ian, I load in a darkroom, and in that way I don't actually find the loading itself difficult - although I can imagine it would be harder in a changing bag!

Given the range of films and developers people are using with good results, I can't quite make sense yet of the trouble I have been having, since the dilutions / procedures don't seem to differ vastly from what I have been doing. I might try to upload some images in the next few days, just to illustrate the problem. Not that I had the impression so far: but is Delta 100 more scratch-sensitive than other films?

Thank you everyone for your responses so far, and for sharing your procedures! This really helps me to get an idea of how others are getting on with their MOD54! (Essentially, it's great to know that you are getting good results without vastly different procedures so, with some luck, I should be able to get there... :-)!)

[alanbutler57]

I liked mine before I got a Jobo, kept it for someday when I decide to experiment with stand etc., it's pricey but works well.

[vdonovan]

No problems with mine. Make sure you are loading emulsion side in.

[cuypers1807]

I used the original MOD54 for years and got uneven development frequently in shots that had a lot of sky. Got the newer one but found it was more difficult to load.
I ended up switching to the BTZS tubes and have been very happy.

[Martin Aislabie]

I too am a happy MOD54 user.

I have neither uneven development or abrasion marks on my film.

I agitate gently for 20 seconds in every minute - HP5 in ID11 @ 1+1.

If inversions give you a problem - have you tried using the twizzle stick instead ?

Martin

[HMG]

I've been watching this thread as I'm considering the Mod54. It might be helpful, when you relate your experience, to specify how many sheets you're developing at a time (as IanBarber did). I have to wonder if the number of sheets has an impact on results.

[locutus]

I have always only developed 6 sheets in one go as this is most efficient chemistry wise (you need 1L of solution)

[alexmuir]

I've done 4 on a number of occasions, but more recently 6, without any problem. The only issue I've encountered is with loading. This is much easier if done in a Darkroom, and the film has been removed from the holders prior to loading. I'm thinking about making some sort of device to hold the 6 sheets safely and ready to load. I would find it a big help if the sheets could be held separately, but in a way that is easy to lift one at a time for loading. It seems to me that there is great potential for scratching the film whilst trying to lift one sheet from a stack, or out of a box. Maybe it's just me?
Alex


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[kaif]

Thank you everyone for the recent replies. I wonder if there is a noticable quality variation in the MOD54 manufacture? Over the weekend, I used my unit just to wash a couple of films which I had developed in dishes, and even that caused some (although very subtle) scratching on the back of the sheets. On my unit, there are quite pronounced 'seam edges' running along the fingers holding the film, which I suspect are caused by the joints in the forms used to produce these inserts. I also found online a report of someone else having similar problems with scratches, hence my thought that there might be quality variations in the units.

Having said this, I don't imagine the scratches I encountered over the weekend would likely show up in scans. So using only the twizzle stick for agitation instead of any tipping, as some people have suggested here, seems well worth a try. I will give that a go the next time I am processing some test shots or something else where I don't mind taking a bit of a risk. (Currently, I would be hesitant to put anything 'precious' through my MOD54, until I have managed some better and reliable results.) I have now ordered an SP-445 set though, to see how I get on with that as an alternative.

[kaif]

HMG, in my own experience the number of sheets or their position hasn't made a difference so far. I have had the scratch issue independently from whether the sheets were in the inner, middle or outside position, and both when just processing two or four sheets. I have not run six sheets in one go yet through the unit, although I can't imagine that this in itself would make a difference.
I've been watching this thread as I'm considering the Mod54. It might be helpful, when you relate your experience, to specify how many sheets you're developing at a time (as IanBarber did). I have to wonder if the number of sheets has an impact on results.

[matts]

I have to admit I am not a fan of the Mod 54. I used it for a while and hated the amount of chemicals it took. I find in cumbersome and have had some abrasions. I have since switched to th SP-445 and have not looked back!

[Martin Aislabie]

Thank you everyone for the recent replies. I wonder if there is a noticable quality variation in the MOD54 manufacture? Over the weekend, I used my unit just to wash a couple of films which I had developed in dishes, and even that caused some (although very subtle) scratching on the back of the sheets. On my unit, there are quite pronounced 'seam edges' running along the fingers holding the film, which I suspect are caused by the joints in the forms used to produce these inserts. I also found online a report of someone else having similar problems with scratches, hence my thought that there might be quality variations in the units.

Having said this, I don't imagine the scratches I encountered over the weekend would likely show up in scans. So using only the twizzle stick for agitation instead of any tipping, as some people have suggested here, seems well worth a try. I will give that a go the next time I am processing some test shots or something else where I don't mind taking a bit of a risk. (Currently, I would be hesitant to put anything 'precious' through my MOD54, until I have managed some better and reliable results.) I have now ordered an SP-445 set though, to see how I get on with that as an alternative.

If you are concerned that you have some mould flash on the inside edges of the fingers - a sharp surgical knife would remove the offending edge - or even light sanding from an emery board (smooth side) would overcome the problem.

Martin

[eabartel]

i've used mine for years and been very happy. i use the spinner first and then gentle inversions every minute. i load in a bag with 6 sheets at a time, typically with pyro and for film: HP5, acros 100, tri-x. my first few attempts i would sometimes accidentally load two sheets of film together on one side, but i haven't made that error in years. any scratches i get are minimal and more likely from poor handling on my part than from the MOD54. cheers, a