Zebra Kickstarter

[John]

This looks to be an interesting prospect ...

 

[AERO]

Around £80 plus postage..as a kickstart customer.................

 

[Dave_P]

There have been a lot of daylight tanks and/or reels released in recent years, with slick marketing and a lot of noise at launch, and a quick look at the forums and facebook groups shows what usually plays out is loads of early adopters invariably issues with unevenness or scratching or stuff like that. You don't have to look very far to find folks having issues with Stearman tanks for instance, or the now-discontinued Catlabs 8x10 reels....It will be interesting to see if this one plays out in the same way.

 

[mpirie]

Doesn't this offering remind anyone on the Stearman Press tanks?

I wonder if there's a risk of copyright infringement?

Mike

 

[AERO]

Doesn't this offering remind anyone on the Stearman Press tanks?

I wonder if there's a risk of copyright infringement?

Mike

Not if they make it in China
(I think they have to make seven changes or updates if its to be legal if is considered breaking the copyright law.)

 

[John]

Not if they make it in China
(I think they have to make seven changes or updates if its to be legal if is considered breaking the copyright law.)

Definitely a "similar" design to the Stearman, who I believe prototyped a 7x5 version as well as the 5x4. The 7x5 would be interesting...if it indeed works properly !

 

[mpirie]

Lol, fair point about being made in China!

I prefer to use a Paterson Orbital for 5x7, two sheets side by side, minimal solution volumes, but not recommended for semi-stand etc.

Mike

 

[David M]

Well, both of them remind me of the tanks used to sensitise wet-plates. That would count as prior art.
I was intrigued by the word “anywhere” but it seems that you still need to bring your own darkness with you in the form of a changing bag. A system that could transfer the film from holder to tank directly would indeed be revolutionary.

 

[AERO]

In the the late 40s at 15 - I used to do 1/4 plate glass Kodak P1200s in small dishes.. (emulsion side up!)...in the kitchen!
always tested which side was which by touching the plate with the bottom lip..if it stuck slightly that was the emulsions side
Happy as the proverbial
This was a very fast plate when introduced, originally having a Kodak speed of 32° which was later increased to 34

 

[John]

Well, both of them remind me of the tanks used to sensitise wet-plates. That would count as prior art.
I was intrigued by the word “anywhere” but it seems that you still need to bring your own darkness with you in the form of a changing bag. A system that could transfer the film from holder to tank directly would indeed be revolutionary.

That would be world changing ( for a small proportion of the population )

 

[jhotopf]

I've gone for this Kickstarter, being able to do 4 sheets of 8x10 is a game changer for me. I think he has a good reputation and it is very good value for money.

 

[John]

I've gone for this Kickstarter, being able to do 4 sheets of 8x10 is a game changer for me. I think he has a good reputation and it is very good value for money.

Well.....as we are confessing.....I went for the 7x5 version.......

 

[AERO]

I've gone for this Kickstarter, being able to do 4 sheets of 8x10 is a game changer for me. I think he has a good reputation and it is very good value for money.

He HAS got a good rep and knows what he is doing..... count me IN (5x4 tank)

 

[Ian Grant]

The film holder idea came from a photograph I posted on APUG?Photrio when Stearman Press were asking for ideas.



Ian

 

[John]

The film holder idea came from a photograph I posted on APUG?Photrio when Stearman Press were asking for ideas.

View attachment 5337

Ian

Cool! Simple but effective .....I suppose similar to the septums from a Grafmatic or similar. Think I may still have one in a box in the garage possibly.

 

[Dave_P]

I've gone for this Kickstarter, being able to do 4 sheets of 8x10 is a game changer for me. I think he has a good reputation and it is very good value for money.

As someone currently doing 10x8" individually in a Paterson Orbital (albeit two Orbitals at once, limited by the number of hands I have) it would be good to be able to do more sheets at once. On the other hand, looks like the Zebra tank needs close to 2ltrs of developer for four 10x8"s, which is roughly twice as thirsty as the Orbital, or Jobo would be if I had the right tank to try two 10x8"s in a print drum. Basically one pack of ID11 at 1+1 every time! Given the Orbitals give me absolutely even development with no physical contact on the emulsion side at all or anything like that, it's tough to move on from this and introduce all sorts of other potential issues.... I'll probably leave it to all the early adopters to burn through their film stash ironing out the inevitable kinks in the Zerbra tanks first.

 

[jhotopf]

Just mixed up some more Pyro 510, so I should be good for developing 130 sheets of 8x10 at standard development with the new tank. If you mix your own it works out at 38p a sheet for developing 8x10 (ignoring fixer).