Best 4x5 Developing Tank

[Ian Gordon Bilson]

Another vote for the Combiplan. If you can "go to dark",the "lift,tilt and drain" method works well with these.
I tried a MOD 54, but I lacked the dexterity to load it reliably -it is harder than it looks in the video.

[C. D. Keth]

Biggest
issue with the BSZS tubs is you have to turn off the lights every time you change chemicals

Not true. I load them in a dark tent and then am never in full darkness again. I mix the developer and pour it in the extra caps. The tubes get transferred to the caps with developer in very, very low light. Just enough to make out shapes against the bathtub. When development is complete, the tube less its cap goes into a tray full of water for stop. Then the film is removed from the tube and into a tray of fix. These last two steps are in subdued light, just enough to comfortably see. I usually work in my bathtub with a black towel over the little window.

[Tim Meisburger]

The Paterson Orbital is the best tank ever made. Too bad they don't make it anymore, and no one in China makes a knock off. With the orbital it is perfectly feasible to develop one sheet at a time (for zone system), you can develop 4x5 or 5x7 or 8x10 or sizes in between, super cheap to operate, and you can use it for prints as well. With the orbital its perfectly possible to develop with nothing more than a darkbag to load the film, which makes its super easy for developing on the road. Nothing else comes close.

[Graham Patterson]

These days I use Jobo 2551 tanks (2) with 2509n reels for most 5x4. I still have my homemade single sheet ABS tubes with light trap lids for times when I don't want the rotary process. The Paterson Universal tank could be used for the 'taco' method. There's even a Yankee tank somewhere. Take your pick.

[Jac@stafford.net]

You could have gotten double that. The two Nikor 4x5 Tanks on ebay for now are both $300. WAY to expensive in my opinion for a developing tank.

Ah, but those tanks have no bids. I base my expectations upon the mean $$$ of completed auctions. I sell with no reserve and a 99-cent beginning price. I am in the business of selling, not just advertising on the auction site. It has always worked out well.
.

[Light Guru]

Ah, but those tanks have no bids. I base my expectations upon the mean $$$ of completed auctions. I sell with no reserve and a 99-cent beginning price. I am in the business of selling, not just advertising on the auction site. It has always worked out well.
.

They have no bids because they are NOT auctions they are Buy It Now.

[Jac@stafford.net]

They have no bids because they are NOT auctions they are Buy It Now.

You are right. We shall see if they sell at those asking prices.

[ac12]

I just check the eBay sold listings for the Nikor 4x5 tank.
The high was $275, the low was $90, average price $184.
The prices I found were: $275,195,145,150,189,90,148,200,188,216,178,238
So even on auction, people are paying more than $200.

Maybe I should sell my spare tank.

[EdSawyer]

Also note some of the cheap ones on ebay sold items were slightly rusty, missing the band etc.

[cyrus]

IF I had to use a tank for 4x5 (and I'd prefer not to) then the taco method is the cheapest, easiest, and most even for tank development, I have found.