Building my own darkroom for 4x5 negs

[LotusEsp]

I'm fortunate enough to have some space in my home to build a dedicated darkroom, but I am a little confused about which direction to take with the processing equipment
I'll want to be developing both colour and b&w 4x5 negs (no slide I dont think)

I'm not sure if I should be looking for a drum & electric agitator setup, or tanks, or even trays

if anyone has any thoughts on this I'd gratefully hear them

thanks
Simon

[LotusEsp]

I should add, I will be low volume, at least I wouldnt expect to be developing more than 8-10 negs at any one time

[Tin Can]

You will get plenty of confusing advice.

Start with B&W 4X5 in 5X7 trays using standard off the shelf chemistry.

Then in a year you can decide how to spend more on not better methods.

[diversey]

Jobo rotary development is a better way for both BW and color film development.

[John Jarosz]

You will get plenty of confusing advice.

+1

Start with B&W 4X5 in 5X7 trays using standard off the shelf chemistry.
Then in a year you can decide how to spend more on not better methods.

+1 again

[Sirius Glass]

Jobo rotary development is a better way for both BW and color film development.

I agree. That would allow you to develop both color and black & white film in a consistent manner. I highly recommend the Jobo 3010 Expert Drum which can handle up to ten 4"x5" negative at a time. If you skip the other processors and get a Jobo system you will save yourself time, money and aggravation. The higher cost is quickly amortized over developing more film consistently sooner. Also the Jobo system can be used for processing color prints and large black & white prints.

[vinny]

Jobo. Expert drums.

[Drew Wiley]

Here is my conflicting advice: start with some simple dimple-bottomed 5x7 trays. They don't cost much. If for some strange reason that doesn't work for you, you can try rotary, but that doesn't work for everyone either. I gave up on rotary for film (not for COLOR prints) a long time ago. It's like ordering a snowplow when
all you really need to do is sweep the kitchen floor.

[Kevin Crisp]

Another tray fan. What is the ratio of people having processing problems with trays vs. rotary? 1:100 or more?

[Sirius Glass]

Here is my conflicting advice: start with some simple dimple-bottomed 5x7 trays. They don't cost much. If for some strange reason that doesn't work for you, you can try rotary, but that doesn't work for everyone either. I gave up on rotary for film (not for COLOR prints) a long time ago. It's like ordering a snowplow when
all you really need to do is sweep the kitchen floor.

Except for that thing about temperature needed for color processing.