Developing 120mm/35mm

[MPrice]

I know it's not large format but I've got the feeling somebody here has the answer..

So a little history before the question: I've been developing B&W 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 with a print tube on a Unicolor base for several years and it has been working out great, no problems other than the occasional leak. When it comes to developing 120mm and 35mm though I'm still using stainless tanks and reels and agitating by hand, every 30s, etc, etc.... At this point I've been doing either 2 rolls of 120mm or 3 of 35mm in the 1000mL tank without much thought to doing it any other way, my results have been fine but it's slow. For whatever reason I've been shooting more 120mm lately and was wondering if, with all of the knowledge here, anybody had any recommendations about ways that I might be able to get away from the stainless, hand agitation method and use my Unicolor base to achieve two things: 1) Save some time by developing more than two rolls of 120mm at a time 2) Possibly develop a combination of both 120mm and 35mm at the same time, in the same tank? I know that there are both Jobo and Unicolor film tanks and reels, I'm just not familiar with which ones fit what, how they operate and whether or not they will work with the motorized base I have.

Thanks in advance for the help...

[mikebarger]

I've used a stainless steel tank that will hold 6 120 reels with the unicolor base before. Including 35mm and 120 combinations.

Mike

[ic-racer]

I have used both Unicolor and Jobo. When I used to use the motor base, the Unicolor drum was nice because the one I had was insulated. They had their own brand of plastic reels, but when I used them there was un-even development at the edges of 120 film. I was able to use stainless steel reels in the tank OK without a center column as there was a light trap in the lid.

When I got a Jobo processor, I was initially concerned about the plastic reels, but the Jobo design is better, in that the development is more even at the edges of the 120 film and I have been using the Jobo plastic reels for the last 9 years with no problem.

[MPrice]

funny, i never considered just throwing the stainless tank and reel on the motor base...would you still use the same amount of chemistry that way or just enough to fill the half and a bit more, maybe 2/3rds? when I do sheet film i reduce the development time by 10% of to compensate for the constant agitation, I guess it would make sense to do something similar with the roll film?

[MPrice]

hey ic-racer, any idea if the jobo reels and tank would work with the unicolor base? is there a certain tank you'd recommend or are the different ones just dependent on the number of reels they can hold?

[Robert Ley]

I have used the Unicolor film drum for over thirty years and they are great. You should be able to pick them up on feebay. There were two different drums, one handled up to six reels of 35 or three reels of 120/220 and one stretch tank that would handle 14 rolls of 35. Of course you could develop less than the maximum as the drum had a piston that would slide up and down the tube. The chemicals required to develop were much less than the stainless reels and tanks--about 20 oz minimum for six rolls of 35. I used my tanks mostly for 35, but never really experienced any problems with 120 film. The tanks are well insulated and will keep the temperature fine for B&W. I have a Jobo CPA-2 with temp control that I use for c-41 and the expert drum is the nuts.

I have a number of reels that I would be willing to let go if you can find a tank.

[MPrice]

Hey Robert, thanks for the reply. I'd definitely be interested in the reels if I can find a tank, let me take a look around on Ebay and see what I can come up with as I'd like to give them a try. One question, are the reels for both 35mm and 120mm (expandable?) or are there separate ones for each film size?

Thanks again..

Mike

[mikebarger]

I use enough developer to meet the mimium required plus 10%. But yes, it is less than full.

Mike

[Robert Ley]

Mike,

The reels are dedicated to 35 and 120. I have about 35-40 35mm reels and 5 120 reels. Just checked on the bay and came up with this:http://cgi.ebay.com/Unicolor-Uniroller-and-Miscellaneous-Equipment_W0QQitemZ120363801367QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item120363801367&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Check it out and make sure the the film drum has the top with gasket, and the adjustable piston. If it does, you are in business.

Once again if you need the reels let me know

Cheers,
Robert

[ic-racer]

hey ic-racer, any idea if the jobo reels and tank would work with the unicolor base? is there a certain tank you'd recommend or are the different ones just dependent on the number of reels they can hold?

I think they will work, but they don't have a light trap in the lid or insulation like the Unicolor. I used that Unicolor base and tank with generic SS reels from 1988 to 2000. Traded it for something at Photorama when I got the Jobo, otherwise I'd offer it to you.

[venchka]

Jobo 2551/2553 tank. Same tank, different lids originally. Get a lid with a cog. The tank holds adjustable 35/120/220 reels or 2509 sheet film reels. Capacity is 5 @35mm, 3 @ 120/220 or 2 @ 4x5. The roll film reels are nice in that they will accept 2 rolls of 120 end to end or 1 roll of 220. I use 800ML of Xtol 1:3 because it's easy for me to figure the dilution. The Jobo developer quantities are listed on the tank.

Yes, if you have a SS tank long enough to span the rollers, that works too. The film spiral doesn't go all the way to the center of the tank. Half full would be ample.

[Wallace_Billingham]

another nice trick if you shoot a lot of 120 is to use 220 reels and put two rolls of 120 on each. I do that all the time I just tape one roll to the other using masking tape

[venchka]

another nice trick if you shoot a lot of 120 is to use 220 reels and put two rolls of 120 on each. I do that all the time I just tape one roll to the other using masking tape

The Jobo reels do that and provide an in/out stop to keep the 120 film seperated. If you can buy right, the Jobo 2551/2553 tank and a few reels makes a lot of sense. And, there is room in the tank for 4x5, 120 & 35mm all at once. For anyone who uses one developer and the same time for all formats. Did I hear Diafine?????????? :cool:

[MPrice]

Whoa, thanks for all of the replies, lots to go through and think about. with the Unicolor reels, anybody else have any problems with uneven edge development? Anybody have similar problems with the Jobo? I think I'm reading that the Jobo tanks will work on the Unicolor base but just wanted to be sure they fit..

Thanks again for all of the help.

[tgtaylor]

I use 800ML of Xtol 1:3 because it's easy for me to figure the dilution. The Jobo developer quantities are listed on the tank.

I recommend staying at or veryclose to Kodak's recommended 100mL of developer (stock) per roll of film or 8x10 sheet.

[venchka]

I haven't developed a lot of film in my Jobo 2553 tank, but I have not seen any problems. The short Jobo tanks won't span the rollers in the Uniroller. You will need the longer 2551/2553 tank.

[venchka]

I recommend staying at or veryclose to Kodak's recommended 100mL of developer (stock) per roll of film or 8x10 sheet.

Thanks! That's why I rounded Jobo's numbers up to 800ml. I actually used 200ml of Xtol for one roll of 120. Overkill for sure. Xtol is cheap.