7x17" film development in 12x16" trays

[wiggywag]

Hi!

I'm going to do sheet film development in trays and found out that my 7x17" negs goes into my 12x16" trays. There is off coarse not much space on the sides, only 5mmeach side, but good enough space for rotating negs around on the vertical side. Is there any problem with this? I'm going to use a staining developer. I think I have heard somewhere that there is need for room around the sides of the negatives for the developer to agitate properly during development. Maybe rocketing the tray a little could solve that? Any experience?

[Colin Graham]

I've never tried that, but if you do run into issues these work well for 7x17- 22x11 plant trays, pack of 4. They're durable and rigid, not like those disposable black plant trays. I've been using the same set for over 6 years now.

[wiggywag]

I've never tried that, but if you do run into issues these work well for 7x17- 22x11 plant trays, pack of 4. They're durable and rigid, not like those disposable black plant trays. I've been using the same set for over 6 years now.

Thanks Colin.

[Michael Kadillak]

Use 16x20 trays to get sufficient room to provide adequate space to perform the task. You will scratch the B Jesus out of the negs with those close dimensions. The rule of thumb is to use a full size LARGER tray.

[Michael Kadillak]

A way to get very even development in close trays is using brush development. A Hake or similar brush back and forth and up and down works well. Even, clean and simple. Downside for some is that you don't develop more than one sheet at a time.

I have heard the same results from brush development. If only I had unlimited time to develop my negatives. that day job keeps getting in my way. That said, being able to process six negatives (11x14, 8x20 12x20 or 8x10) in a single run without any scratches and imperfections (even Efke 25) caused by me is facilitated by my infrared monocle and a large tray with sufficient chemistry so I can see what I am doing and not make any mistakes in the process.