I just got a Unicolor 8x10" drum and a model 352 motor base. I thought I read t his recommended on this site, something saying that the unicolor drum would take 4x5" sheets. Sure enough, it has slots that will hold 4x5 sheets.
I have questions, but first I want to say that this is the most fantastic thing I've bought. I've been experimenting with different processing techniques. Sta rted with trays (nasty, possibility of scratched films, working in dark, hands c hanged chemical temps), went to combi-plan (can't get chemicals in and out fast enough. Leaky leaky leaky.), then to hangers and Kodak 4x5 tanks (Working in da rk. Too much chemical to discard after every use. Mess pouring back into bottl es.), but then tried this drum. Oh, it's nice. I can discard the chemicals aft er every use, so I'm not adjusting times for depletion or replenishing, and it's nice to let the machine work while I go load the dishwasher or watch TV since I don't have to agitate.
My first question: Does anyone know what amount of chemicals I should use in th is tank? Does anyone have instructions? I have no instructions with it. My fi rst test sheets have been done with 250ml. The Tri-X/D-76 looked pretty good us ing the development time in the Kodak instructions. My TMX/D-76 don't look so g ood, but it may have been the exposure. Anyway, the tank doesn't seem to hold m ore than about 500ml, or it spills.
My other problem is if I put two sheets in one slot, one will often slide under the other. At first, I thought this was because I was little too vigourous hold ing the drum on end and shaking out chemicals, but even after being more gentle, I was still ahving this problem. Does anybody have any secrets or have rigged something to keep the sheets from sliding under each other?
Anybody have any starting processing time suggestions for TMX and D-76 with this drum? Mine seem a little thing using Kodak's times. (Now that I've settled on a processing method, it's time to do some serious testing and calibrate my proc ess.)
(Please don't suggest that I buy a $400 Jobo drum or I should use some exotic co mbination of paper and developer that must be packed in on llama from Nepal. I am a beginner who wants to get reasonable results with what's easily and financi ally available to me. I'll do the exotic stuff later.)
Bookmarks