Advice Please, on Arista 400 4x5 in Rodinal

I'm seeking best advice on the handling of Arista EDU 400, 4x5 in Adox Rodinal, or Adonol, or whatever they're calling it now.. The Arista PDF is one page and makes scant distinction on the processing method or the film size. I'm hope to locate an experienced user of the combination that can give time and temperature from 68 to 75 for tray, as well as preferred dilution. Naturally I have access to the usual online info, but things like the massive developer chart and such are sketchy at best. Further, they only include a single temperature. I'm hoping for experienced advice from an actual user that I can pass on to a good buddy who is interested, with confidence. Not "a basic starting point". My friend doesn't have the temperament for experimentation. For myself, I'd like to know too. Thank you.PS, in case I hit the jackpot and find somebody who can give tray AND tank-and-hanger, then all the better.

I'm not really an experience user but you might get something from this site. There's three dilutions for Rodinal, 1:25, 1:50 and 1:100 .... 6 mins, 12mins and 33mins ... at 68F (different times and temps can be brought up also)

 

Film Development Chart | Developing time for 120 Arista EDU Ultra 400 at 400|27° in Kodak D-76 at dilution 1+3, temperature 20 °C | 68 °F and agitation 1 Minute

 

I've only just started developing 4x5 and immediately I had to get used to rocking the hanger tank for agitation, and then when pouring the fixer in, the air pressure caused bubbles of residual previous liquid to escape through the air vents making a mess on the work bench. The tank is a room light tank with a lid that clips down and pouring liquid in is painfully slow, the pouring entrance is too narrow so I'll be modifying it and making a pouring funnel of my own design to facilitate faster pouring.

 

Experimentation might be needed to hit on what you like in a negative, everyone advises that anyway. So far, my B&W 4x5s have come out black, until I hold them up to the light and notice a faint image, but they scanned ok surprisingly.

Edited October 28, 2021 by kmac

Although grain @ 400 ISO isn't usually an issue with 5"x4", why aggravate it by using Rodinal?

 

D-76 used to be my goto developer for 5x4, but HC-110 gives very similar results. Whereas Rodinal invariably gives more grainy results than almost any other developer, and with any film except Ilford Delta 3200 - strangely.

 

Times and temperatures for HC-110 are widely published, as are those for D-76/ID-11.

 

WRT processing: Tray processing runs a risk of air-bell marks from air trapped under the film or sticking to its top surface. Even the recommended technique of sliding the film sideways into the developer isn't foolproof. Then there's the risk of scratching the film on the tray while agitating it; increased by using an elevated processing temperature that softens the emulsion.

 

Kmac has already described the issues involved with using small tanks like those made by Dallon, Combiplan, Stearman or others. The filling and emptying times are just too long for daylight processing. Along with the same risk of air-bell or foaming marks.

 

IME the only two reliable methods of processing sheet film are to 'dip & dunk' using clip-holders in a 3 gallon tank in total darkness, or use a 2500 size Jobo tank and the semi-spiral 5x4 filmholder made for it. The Jobo can be used in daylight once loaded.

 

Obviously the 3 gallon tank option isn't economical for small scale use. While the Jobo tank and holder aren't cheap to initially buy. However, the Jobo tank can be rotary agitated and is very reliable and economical on chemicals when used this way.

I have no experience of 5x4 negs, but massive dev chart is one of my goto places and I have trust in what they tell. Rodinal is one shot developer, I have tried to use it 1:25 with tri-x and delta 100. Just remember to mix developer right before use, do not let it stand overnight.