5x7 film processing, what to use?

[Ed Bray]

I'm thinking of buying a 5x7 monorail with a couple of film holders (just to have a play for a trial) what do people use to process their films. A large tank Taco style? Or is it only done in a tray?

[Oren Grad]

Jobo Expert drums. 3006 is ideal, but I also use 3004 and 3005 when I have a mixed batch including larger sheets. Some have also reported good results with the 3010.

On a tighter budget: print processing drums, BTZS tubes, slosher trays.

If you're just dipping your toe in and want to spend only a bare minimum for now, you can use ordinary trays to get started.

[Vaughn]

I developed two 5x7's at a time by placing each neg in separate 8x10 trays inside a larger tray -- then I just rock the larger outside tray and no worries about scratching the negs or splashing the developer all over the place.

But now in a Jobo Expert Drum (3005).

[Ed Bray]

Thanks for the replies.

I used to process 5x7 colour film in a smaller Jobo, would that not work for film?

[sully75]

You can do 5 in a jobo 3010 and also use it for 10 4x5s......this is off label use but it seems to work.

[mdm]

I have tried everything I can think of to do daylight developing without spending lots but settled on tray development in the end, its quick because you can do lots of sheets at once and once you get it worked out its ok, an IR viewer helps to make the learning curve shorter and to make the process more interesting. BTZS style tubes are good too.

[Graybeard]

I'm thinking of buying a 5x7 monorail with a couple of film holders (just to have a play for a trial) what do people use to process their films. A large tank Taco style? Or is it only done in a tray?

Hangers in plastic food containers - no scratching. Rubbermaid makes one gallon containers thatare just the right size (available at Walmart in the US).

[John Kasaian]

Ortho in trays under a safelight. Panchro in a Unicolor print drum.

[ROL]

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?90408-Pyrocat-HD-in-slosher&p=884237#post884237

[andreios]

For a bit less money you can try jobo 2830 print drums. Purchased this recently as I wasn't satisfied with my tray developed X-ray film and wanted to try regular film - works like a charm - even without any base or motor.

[Ed Bray]

Many thanks to you all for you answers.

[Paul H]

Since you're in the UK, you may want to look at getting a Paterson Orbital. You can do two 5x7's at a time, and it only needs ~150ml of developer.

[Ed Bray]

Since you're in the UK, you may want to look at getting a Paterson Orbital. You can do two 5x7's at a time, and it only needs ~150ml of developer.

Ha ha, I already have one and it never crossed my mind. Brilliant, thanks!

[Ironage]

I've used Jobo print tubes but didn't get consistent results. Now I use the Patterson Orbital.

[Ed Bray]

I've used Jobo print tubes but didn't get consistent results. Now I use the Patterson Orbital.

I am so used to processing 4x5 in my Orbital I completely missed the fact that it can be used for 5x7 and 8x10. It also means I can use my Semi-Stand technique. I just will have to spend more time waiting.

[frotog]

I've used trays, ppi plastic holders in one gallon 8x10 tanks, jobo 3006, a slosher in an 16x20 tray (ton of chem.) and a Gepe 5x7 combiplan. The combiplan is easier and produces much more even results than any of the aforementioned techniques - 6 sheets in 2000 ml. of solution.

[Ed Bray]

I've used trays, ppi plastic holders in one gallon 8x10 tanks, jobo 3006, a slosher in an 16x20 tray (ton of chem.) and a Gepe 5x7 combiplan. The combiplan is easier and produces much more even results than any of the aforementioned techniques - 6 sheets in 2000 ml. of solution.

Are they still available, if so any idea from where?

[Bob Salomon]

Are they still available, if so any idea from where?

We discontinued them in 1983 and discarded all of the tools required to make them at that time. And when we discontinued them they were the HP Combi Plan tanks. We bought the tools and the rights to them in the late 1970s.

[Ed Bray]

Hi Bob, thanks for your answer, I discovered as much when I did a search on the forum for them and read though a similar thread from 2009.

[Ed Bray]

Beautiful Restoration!http://www.*******.com/5-7.jpg

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