Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 25

Thread: Most consistent developer method

  1. #1

    Most consistent developer method

    Just doing a bit of research into what - if any - is the most consistent way to develop 5x4 b+w sheets to give even results. I've been rotary processing for years, and now and again I get such lovelies as edge build up that can crop an image too much. I'm leaning towards trays (of some sort) as being possibly the least unsuccessful method, but is it possible to get edge to edge consistency with any method? I mean the sort of quality where it would be possible to print a neg taken in fog, with plenty of sky, and have the proper density right over the surface of the neg, without using elaborate nitrogen systems or using a digital back.
    Cheers
    Richard

  2. #2
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    USA, North Carolina
    Posts
    3,362

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    Constant agitation is the clear winner. Read Haist. Henry. The other researchers.

    I get consistently excellent and perfectly even development for 5x4 using a Jobo 3010 tank on a Jobo CPP-2. TMY-2 (and before that many hundreds of sheets of Tri-X) in XTOL 1:3, 20C, 30 rpm, reversing. I've put well over a thousand sheets through this system and without fail get perfectly even skies,[/URL] and even perfectly smooth fog on those rare occasions when I'm able to shoot in fog (only when I make a trip to the mountains and get lucky).

    I started with trays and moved to BTZS tubes looking for more even development. BTZS tubes weren't the answer for me either, but the 3010 tank and the Jobo were. It's so good it lets me forget about it completely so I can concentrate more the art, and that's a good thing.

    Bruce Watson

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    5,506

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    Phil Davis developed and promoted development in tubes, with agitation carried out by turning the tubes in a tray of water. The agitaiton is constant but random and gives perfectly even negatives if done correctly.

    Davis used tubes for ilm testing at BTZS workshops. At one time he used tray develoment but found that this method lacked sufficient accurcy.

    For the maximum in even develoment I would recommend that you use a combinatin of developer/dilution/tempreature that allows develoment times of over 8-10 minutes.

    Sandy King


    Quote Originally Posted by Richard Littlewood View Post
    Just doing a bit of research into what - if any - is the most consistent way to develop 5x4 b+w sheets to give even results. I've been rotary processing for years, and now and again I get such lovelies as edge build up that can crop an image too much. I'm leaning towards trays (of some sort) as being possibly the least unsuccessful method, but is it possible to get edge to edge consistency with any method? I mean the sort of quality where it would be possible to print a neg taken in fog, with plenty of sky, and have the proper density right over the surface of the neg, without using elaborate nitrogen systems or using a digital back.
    Cheers
    Richard

  4. #4
    おせわに なります! Andrew O'Neill's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Coquitlam, BC, Canada, eh!
    Posts
    5,136

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    You are the most consistent developer method. Keep all variables the same. Sandy's suggestion of using a combination that allows development times of over 8-10 minutes is sound advice.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Tamworth, Staffordshire. U.K.
    Posts
    1,167

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    I doubt if you'll be lucky enough to find one in the States but the Patterson Orbital developing tanks are just brilliant. Four 4x5's, two 5x7's (or half plates), one 8x10.
    Best wishes,
    Pete.

  6. #6
    jp's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    5,628

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    I would also second the recommendation for a developer mix and temp that allow at least 8 minutes. I use patterson reels and tanks for 35mm, and can do 4x5 in either tray or hp combiplan tank with good results.

  7. #7
    Greg Greg Blank's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Central Maryland
    Posts
    1,099

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    In any system there has to be a Zen like state of mind or shall we say Zazen

    No mind, it works-however it has to be a watchful no mind state. However, its the times the mind drifts away and you find your watch stopped or the chemicals weren't quite tempered, the agitation cycle didn't match your established norm,etc that produces inaccurate results. Then there's other stuff- like inside/or outside the camera problems.

    That said, the ISO method was established for a reason. Bi directional agitation. I made a sheet film holder for use in a tray using plexi and plastic screws. The stainless tray itself has welded pivot points to allow the tray to be placed inside another stainless tray the contains an submersible heater and pump.

    Any developer will do just mix it the same each time.



    Quote Originally Posted by Richard Littlewood View Post
    Just doing a bit of research into what - if any - is the most consistent way to develop 5x4 b+w sheets to give even results. I've been rotary processing for years, and now and again I get such lovelies as edge build up that can crop an image too much. I'm leaning towards trays (of some sort) as being possibly the least unsuccessful method, but is it possible to get edge to edge consistency with any method? I mean the sort of quality where it would be possible to print a neg taken in fog, with plenty of sky, and have the proper density right over the surface of the neg, without using elaborate nitrogen systems or using a digital back.
    Cheers
    Richard

  8. #8

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    I've tried most every way there is to develop sheet film and I've had good results with most. There really is a lot to the part about you and how well you refine your technique, whatever method you use.

    Longer times, good temperature control, plenty of developer and gentle regular agitation work for me. Get your process tuned and then do it the same every time.

    I think the least troublesome and best results for me have been hangers and tanks. Pick up and set down the hangers once each minute, alternating the corner I drop to let drain.

    Definitely go for longer developing times as stated previously. I use Xtol 1:3 with (mostly) HP5 for 16 minutes and its always perfectly even. I get very good results with roll film in small tanks with reels using the same developer and technique.

    Use plenty of developer. The idea is to develop your film to perfection, not to see if you can save a few ounces of developer.

    Control the temperature. If that's difficult in your situation use a chart that gives times for different temperatures.

    Pay attention and agitate the same every time.

    You're probably already doing most of this but stop and think our process through and write it down and tape it to the darkroom wall. To make sure you are really consistent follow the written instructions each time.

    Become a robot.

  9. #9
    Resident Heretic Bruce Watson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    USA, North Carolina
    Posts
    3,362

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    Quote Originally Posted by Henry Ambrose View Post
    Become a robot.
    Agreed. Or... just use one.

    That was the problem I had with most of the popular development methods. I couldn't become a sufficiently good robot. Then it dawned on me that I couldn't be the first person to have this problem. When I started doing research looking at it from that perspective I found that people like John Sexton were using Jobos. I eventually landed a good deal on a used CPP-2, and finally reached the level of consistency for which I had been striving.

    What makes the Jobo system work is that it's like a robot. Does the same things in the same way, each and every development cycle. Which is what leads to consistent results.

    Bruce Watson

  10. #10
    joseph
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Chapel Hill NC
    Posts
    1,401

    Re: Most consistent developer method

    After ironing out some teething problems,
    I'm starting to get consistent results using a slosher-
    a sheet of perspex with stainless steel screws to hold 4 8x10's,
    developed in a 20x16 tray.

    Next thing to concentrate on will be to develop without fingermarks on the edges,
    but I think that might be the same problem with any method, for me-

    Must get some cotton gloves already-

Similar Threads

  1. volume of developer for Unicolor drum method
    By vijaylff in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 10-Jun-2007, 15:55
  2. Old Formulas: Paper
    By Paul Fitzgerald in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 20-Oct-2006, 00:48
  3. Film holders and developer contamination
    By Philip Aragon in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 8-May-2005, 07:27
  4. Old Formulas : Film
    By Paul Fitzgerald in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 19-Mar-2005, 21:31
  5. Developer shelf life
    By Neal Shields in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 22-Jul-2004, 09:43

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •