Another developing tank

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David M

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This might be of interest. Six sheets of 10x8 film at once.
It's probably best to read the whole page. I notice that it's illustrated with 3D renderings rather than actual photographs
A 5x4 tank is promised.
It doesn't seem cheap and after March 29, it may be more expensive, but the price does compare with Jobo Expert tanks. And it takes an even number of sheets.
The more the merrier, I say.


http://www.firstcall-photographic.c...-sheet-film-developing-tank-8-x-10-inch/p7256
 
Interesting product , but a heck of a price .
It seems the guys behind the SP-445 tried something similar for 10x8 but gave up on it due to issues .
He mentions it on this thread ; https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/8x10-processing-system-kickstarter-preview.164186/

Something worth keeping an eye on is the development that their working on as a variation of tray development but as a daylight unit .
See here ; https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1653453089/524638372?ref=637720&token=b0ad9dec
and here ; https://shop.stearmanpress.com/blogs/news/sp-8x10-update-and-kickstarter-rejection
 
It does seem as if 10x8 is a sort of break-even point for developing tanks. There is (or rather was) a Combiplan tank for 5x7 and similar sizes and nobody doubts that 11x14 and upwards will be done individually in trays.
Permanent, replenished tanks and wire hangers work well, but seem to need a regular throughput, rather than occasional use. This is a bit of a red herring, because deep tanks still need proper darkness.
Despite all this, it's encouraging to see that the format, along with film, is not dead.
 
WOW!! That's one heck of a steep price for any developing tank! And, 2 liters of solution! Can anybody say fill time? How many years must I have worked out in the gym to agitate that puppy when full? :D
 
Two litres of solution explains why the lid must be bolted in place.
The price does seem high, but you don't have to buy a processing machine to operate it as you would with the Jobo. I'm afraid that I'll be thinking twice about getting one.
Remember, you're not just buying a tank, your'e buying a share in a very expensive mould.
And two litres for six films seems like a great improvement on the original Stearman proposal of two litres for two. (Thank heavens he's stopped using Imperial measurements, the legacy of the Tyrant George III.)

I've just checked. We buy milk in four pint containers and that's 2.27 litres, or 2.27 kilos (see how convenient the metric system is) and it isn't a hardship to handle that. I can pour the right amount of milk into a cup of tea by controlled inversion. Perhaps we are being too pessimistic.
 
David M said:
Two litres of solution explains why the lid must be bolted in place.
The price does seem high, but you don't have to buy a processing machine to operate it as you would with the Jobo.
Click to expand...

Well...one of the issues with 2L of solution for 6 sheets of 10x8 is that you may not have enough developer concentrate present to properly develop the film. For example, I use Rodinal at 1:100 and at 5ml minimum per sheet of 10x8 you need 30ml of concentrate for 6 sheets; that's 3L of working solution. I, also, use HC-110 at dil H (1:63) and 2L of working solution would be just barely adequate leaving no margin for error. Not saying this tank can't work, but if you get one please be careful of your developer strength.

I'm sure you know you don't need the entire Jobo machine to use Jobo tanks. Many photographers use a motor base to spin Expert Drums. I've read that some simply roll it back and forth on a table top. If you want automated and use a MOD54 for 5x4 or this guy's own design for 5x4, you might go with this:

http://www.bounetphoto.com/bounet-shop/processor

I wouldn't say his unit is expensive...
 
Alan,
Yes, I suppose he can't cater for every possibility. Presumably it's modelled on using (say) HC110 dilB or ID11 1+1. Four sheets would work, I suppose.
I think the last tank I bought was a good deal less, but that was a long time ago.
We should be encouraged by all this interest in designing things for LF.
 
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