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Thread: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

  1. #1

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    Unhappy Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    Well, it seems every time I process some 4x5 sheets, I get some sort of problem! I started out doing it in a tank, taco style, but then some of the corners wouldn't develop because they'd stick out too much. So I switched to trays, one by one, doing DBI, and that worked for a while, until I started getting uneven dev. (denser edges). So I tried doing a bunch at a time, following directions by S Simmons, MAS, and assorted forumers, and managed to get scratches smack in the middle of every one of the 5 sheets I did (did them emulsion down, 8x10 tray, 1 liter of developer). So I went back to single sheets, and managed to get both uneven development and bromide drag along the edges! I think I've covered every possible technical mistake so far!
    So, what I need is your best fool-proof method, preferably tray processing as it's most easily done w DBI which I'm really liking, as well as tips on how to deal w all this frustration! Thanks,

    GB

  2. #2

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    Personally I use a Paterson Orbital, scored base, emulsion side up.
    2 sheets => aligned in the bottom middle, using 250ml developer
    4 sheets => around the corners, using ~350ml developer
    Agitation is key: too much and it all jumps about inside giving uneven development and a stain on the carpet; too little and it doesn't permeate underneath the film properly. A gentle rocking at one end to send a wave back and forth for about 10s at the top of every minute is my favoured method.

    http://pig.sty.nu/Pictures/compositi...erson_orbital/ might help.

  3. #3
    4x5 - no beard Patrik Roseen's Avatar
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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    I do not know which developer you are using nor the dilution.

    I have not had any problems (knock on wood) with my development, but then I also use a very diluted developer for a longer development time (14-17 min, 20C). I read somewhere when I started out that the risk of uneven development and also problems from uneven agitation is less of a risk with a longer development time (not too long though). The temperature is also an important factor.

  4. #4
    Eric Biggerstaff
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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    You might also consider a "slosher" that can be made easily and I have heard that they work very well. I used one once and it was easy to use. They are made commercially as well, check out:

    http://www.summitek.com/products.html

    Hope this helps.
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  5. #5

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    did you follow my article completly? I can't imagine how you got scratches in the middle of each sheet!


    steve simmons

  6. #6

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    [QUOTE=G Benaim]
    So, what I need is your best fool-proof method, preferably tray processing as it's most easily done w DBI which I'm really liking, as well as tips on how to deal w all this frustration! Thanks,

    GB[/QUOTE

    If you really want tray developing for DBI I second the suggestion to use a slosher. The negatives are separated and you will not get scratches.

    If DBI were not important I would suggest developing the film in open-ended PVC tubes cut to the length of the film. You just place the film in the tubes and then plot them into the developer, making sure there is enough to cover the tubes. This is also a good method to avoid scratches.

    I developed film for many years in trays, and when I compare those negatives to negatives that I later developed in tubes there are far fewer scratches. This really became evident to me when I started scanning negatives of both types, where it immediatley became apparent that I was spending a lot more time in Photoshop correcting for small scratches.

    Tray developing obviously works for some people, but it did not work particulary well for me. The slosher and tubes will give you very even development, better than trays, and completely eliminates the risk of scratching.

    Sandy King

  7. #7

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    I don't know what DBI is and I guess from Sandy's response it's somehow incompatible with tubes but FWIW I've used tubes for about ten years and don't offhand recall ever having a scratch, uneven development, or any other problem. I use the BTZS tubes but you can easily make your own. I used to tray develop 8x10 negatives because 8x10 BTZS tubes are hard to find and my home-made 8x10 (as opposed to 4x5) tubes didn't work too well. I despised standing in the dark for 15 or so minutes inhaling chemical fumes and jiggling trays while praying that there would be no scratches, so I quit that as soon as I was able to find some 8x10 BTZS tubes.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  8. #8

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    I use a Jobo Expert drum, hand-rolled on a $20 Jobo roller-base.

    Easy to load, daylight processing, requires minimal chemical volume. Consistent even development.

  9. #9

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Ellis
    I don't know what DBI is and I guess from Sandy's response it's somehow incompatible with tubes but FWIW I've used tubes for about ten years and don't offhand recall ever having a scratch, uneven development, or any other problem. I use the BTZS tubes but you can easily make your own. I used to tray develop 8x10 negatives because 8x10 BTZS tubes are hard to find and my home-made 8x10 (as opposed to 4x5) tubes didn't work too well. I despised standing in the dark for 15 or so minutes inhaling chemical fumes and jiggling trays while praying that there would be no scratches, so I quit that as soon as I was able to find some 8x10 BTZS tubes.

    DBI is development by inspection and it is pretty much incompatible with tube develoment since you would have to remove the negative from the tube, examine it and then return it to the tube.

    One of the major reasons I prefer tube and drum development is because I too despise having to stand in the dark for the length of time necessary to develop film. Some people don't mind this, and do a good job withi tray development, but personally I would rather watch a panel discussion on rare earth gases, or go to the dentist, than develop film in trays in complete darkness. Been there, done that, and have moved on. Now, the slosher with night vision goggles could get me excited.

    Sandy

  10. #10

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    Re: Frustrated! Need Help Deving 4x5

    Get some rubber tanks and hangers - you can do DBI with them. As long as you don't get the hangers off center from each other, you'll never scratch another neg.

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