what are these tray indents for?

[jp]

On Paterson trays, there are three little angled indents in one corner. Anyone know what their purpose is?

[RedGreenBlue]

Just a guess. To anchor a thermometer? But also of course, to make cleaning the tray more of a chore.

Scott

[Ironage]

I like Scott's answer, but I always used them for tongs.

[Greg]

Just a guess. To anchor a thermometer? But also of course, to make cleaning the tray more of a chore.

Scott

Correct... Remember reading in the description of Paterson Developing Trays in a 47th Street Photo catalog from the 1970s, that they were there for holding a Paterson thermometer at an angle to monitor the temperature of the chemistry in the tray.

[Oren Grad]

From the Paterson catalog:

The moulding along one edge gives support to a thermometer allowing a constant check of solution temperature.

[jp]

Thanks!

[Duolab123]

I loved seeing this. Of course it's for a thermometer, but I've used Paterson trays for 40 years, and I'm still looking for a thermometer that will balance in these slots with the correct immersion depth and don't fall out. 76mm is standard immersion depth for thermometers. I guess I need an official Paterson thermometer :)
And yes it makes them a pain to clean. I'm on a quest for the perfectly balanced thermometer, I will report back ;)
Best Mike

[Tin Can]

I imagined they were for sludge.

It seems to end up there.

[Jac@stafford.net]

On Paterson trays, there are three little angled indents in one corner. Anyone know what their purpose is?


Cigarette holder.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thermometer :)

[Duolab123]

I checked. Paterson makes what looks like a very nice spirit thermometer, 9 inches long, glass. I hate glass anything.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I prefer my dedicated film developing metal thermometer with glow in the dark face. Need to get like 3 more and send em out to be calibrated. Works better than my glass one.

[Mark Sawyer]

To me, they always looked a bit Klingon in origin...

[Oren Grad]

I checked. Paterson makes what looks like a very nice spirit thermometer, 9 inches long, glass. I hate glass anything.

What they offer is two mercury thermometers, a 9-inch one intended for B&W and a 12-inch one with a longer scale intended for color.

[jp]

mercury thermometers

Dump some hot water in the tray by accident and watch them go pop!

[Duolab123]

What they offer is two mercury thermometers, a 9-inch one intended for B&W and a 12-inch one with a longer scale intended for color.

The listing on B&H says mercury which has been banned in the EU for years, they are colored liquid spirit thermometers, still a pain.

[Oren Grad]

...mercury which has been banned in the EU for years...

Ah, good point!