Film Developing Tank Recommendations?

[Larry Huhn]

Hello, I am new to this forum and to large format photography. I need to purchase a film developing tank for 4x5 film and I was wondering if anyone could give me a recommendation for an affordable but functional tank.

Thanks

[welly]

You could probably pick up a Jobo 2520 for maybe $100 or just over. That'll develop up to 6 sheets of 4x5.

[polyglot]

However if you don't have a Jobo processor, a Jobo tank is of very limited usefulness. I personally use a 3010+CPP2 but it's not what you'd call affordable.

Look at getting a Paterson 3-reel tank and the "MOD" insert that holds a few sheets. And google for "taco method".

[Ed Bray]

Hi, I have gone through a similar problem, I bought a load of various options but settled on the Paterson Orbital, the downside is it only takes 4 sheets of film at a time.

Your options are:

Tray processing, must be done in the dark, cheapest option
Yankee tank, takes 12 sheets, a lot of chemicals and there are some issues with scratching of the emulsion
Paterson Orbital Processor, holds 4x sheets, can be mechanised, suitable for orbital or Stand processing (my favourite)
Paterson or Jobo universal Tank, Taco style, probably the cheapest daylight option and works well for 4 sheets
Paterson 3 reel tank and MOD54 holder holds 6 sheets, inversion processing,
Jobo 2500 series Tank wih 2509n reek, holds 6 sheets can be rotary or inversion processed
Jobo 3000 series tanks 5 sheets rotary only, expensive

Hope this helps.

[Bob Salomon]

CombiPlan T

[Mark MacKenzie]

I really like my CombiPlan. I used one for years and found another with misc. darkroom stuff for sale. Though not available new, they can be found.

[Larry Huhn]

Thanks everyone. This gives me some ideas and I will narrow it down based on my particular needs.

[jk0592]

I used the Jobo 1500 tanks for years and years to develop 120 film. But I find the 4x5 Jobo 2521+2509 spiral much more difficult to load, so much so that I am resorting to tray development until I master the skill to put the 6 films in the 2509. I do practice loading the 2509 every day, in full light no problem; in the dark, it is a different story though.

[koh303]

the 2508 film loader might make it easier for you to load the 2509 reels, though once you get the hang of it, it is really quite easy .
BTW - Jobo drums are absolutely useful even without a Jobo machine. You can go commando, and use them for inversion (1250ml in the 2520) or simply hand roll them on a flat surface (edge of a sink or table). Alternatively, as someone above me suggested, you can use a unicolor\besseler motor base or a Jobo 1509 roller base for manually rotating the tank in place, which would be the ideal solution. Good luck!

[SpeedGraphicMan]

Although often frowned upon... a Yankee sheet film daylight tank is an inexpensive option.
Personally I would recommend sticking with tray development until you master that.

An open tank with hangers is also a very good method.