johnny_motown1 Posted January 13, 2001 Share Posted January 13, 2001 Hi everybody! For Christmas, I received a Paterson (Super System 4) tank. It is the universal one that can develop two reels of 135 at the same time. I filled it to the recommended capacity for two reels (580ml or 20oz). It barely covers the two reels when I opened the funnel lid (I'm doing this dry run with water). I used the spin stick and it removed the air bubbles fine. My question is do you all fill it more than 580ml (20oz) to ensure better coverage? The instructions also mention putting on the soft plastic lid and agitating it via inversion. With the amount of air that is in it, would it cause excessive bubbles and be a nightmare to keep the film covered? Would I be expected to use the spin stick after every agitation? Do most of you (that have this tank) invert for agitation or do you do the "slide-rotate" agitation? <p> Just a few newbie questions. Thanks in advance for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_dvorin Posted January 13, 2001 Share Posted January 13, 2001 Johnny, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted January 13, 2001 Share Posted January 13, 2001 I have a similar tank and found that using "spin" agitation gave me uneven development. Inversion agitation cured that problem. It certainly doesn't hurt to fill the tank to more than the absolute minimum level either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_hicks Posted January 13, 2001 Share Posted January 13, 2001 Forget that spin stick thing; it pretty much guarantees uneven development. <p> Use just enough solutions to cover the reels, and invert _vigorously_ two or three times in five seconds every 30 seconds or four or five times in 10 seconds every minute. Don't use more solution than is needed to cover the reels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel_smith2 Posted January 14, 2001 Share Posted January 14, 2001 I used the spin stick for agitation for many years and didn't experience uneven developement so I'm not convinced that that's the case... however, I changed to inversion after reading so many people suggesting it. Call it peer pressure :)<P>I mix 300ml of developer for one spiral, which is a little more than required, but makes the maths for dilution easy (sometimes). I can't remember the last time I did two films at once. I also only ever have one spiral in the tank although it's regularly recommended to put both in to ensure the bottom one (in the liquid) doesn't move up (and out of the liquid) during inversions. My tanks nearly 20 years old and the spirals never move on the central column. I do this because I may want to use the other spiral to develop a different film type straight after the 1st one, so the spiral is bone dry and the film loads without a problem.<P>Using the same tank, this is what I do...<P>Straight after pouring the developer in, I give it a couple of twists back and forward with the 'spin stick' (not sure why I persist with this) then wack the lid on and give it quite a firm shaking, then rap the side of the tank several times. Each minute I give 3 inversions and a more gentle rap on the side of the tank. Negs look fine, just the subjects I need to work on :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_carraway Posted January 14, 2001 Share Posted January 14, 2001 Once the film is wet, there is no problem with air bubbles. Also, if you fill the tank full, the liquid does not move around as well as you agitate the tank. Actually many people use a tank that is one reel larger than they need to put a BIG space in the tank for good mixing. <p> I fill the tank, give it a couple of sharp raps and then use inversion agitation. <p> Once the film emulsion has soaked up the developer some time spent without developer in contact with the emulsion is fine. <p> I did use spin agitation way back when I got started with an old Yankee tank. The one with a thermometer in the spinner. I wonder where that thing is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith_nichols3 Posted January 14, 2001 Share Posted January 14, 2001 When figuring what volume of liquid to use by pouring water over empty reels, remember that the film will displace enough to raise the level a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_motown1 Posted January 15, 2001 Author Share Posted January 15, 2001 Thank you all for putting to rest my fears of uneven development! I can't wait to start souping film! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim_brown Posted January 15, 2001 Share Posted January 15, 2001 I've been using the reel twirler / spin stick for 20+ years with no problems. Four gentle back and fourth twists in a 5 sec. interval. My tanks sit in a water bath. Lifting them out to do inversions would be messy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_brookes5 Posted January 16, 2001 Share Posted January 16, 2001 Like Tim Brown I have been using this same tank for 20 years. I always fill to 600ccs to be safe and never invert. I only use the twizzle stick and for 10 secs every minute. I have tested the invertion method with C41 chemicals - I use Ilford XP2- and I got bubbles adhering to the test film 3 times out of 10. I have personally never had an uneven development problem using the twizzle stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nauman_saghir1 Posted January 16, 2001 Share Posted January 16, 2001 Twizzle stick (he he) Now that is Photography humour :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_brookes5 Posted January 21, 2001 Share Posted January 21, 2001 Twizzle stick - as in Champagne to remove the bubbles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now