rotary developing question (8x10)

[jerry_cunningham]

I am just starting on 8x10 film developing. I bought a beslser motorized base and several unicolor drums.

Question one: How much developer in ounces do I put in the drums for 8x10?

Question two: The drums leak rather badly. How can I correct that?

Sincerely,

Jerry Cunningham

[jeffrey_scott]

To fix the leak buy a Jobo 3005 Expert Drum and use the Unicolor drum

for a planter. You will be able to process up to 5 sheets at a time

with about a quart(32 oz.)of chemistry.

[per_volquartz1]

- Unfortunately - I'll have to agree with Jeffrie...The Unicolor Base

is OK but the drum will give you great streaks or uneven density at

least - I figure you don't want that.

 

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Also, if you do use a Unicolor, Beseler or Chromega drum that only

spins in one direction, flip the drum aound ever minute or so. This

will prevent (or eliminate) sine-wave streaking of your film.

 

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But do get that Jobo drum, OK!!!

[per_volquartz1]

Sorry about my confusing post.

 

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First I spelled Jeffrey wrong. Sorry!!!

 

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Second, I said a "Unicolor base" - I meant your Beseler Base (they are

virtually identical)

 

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Third, I said "Unicolor, Beseler or Chromega drum that only spins in

one direction" - I meant the base ...

 

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Now if I could only learn how to spell...

[william_marderness4]

I don't go over four 8x10 sheets for straight developer, and two

sheets for 1:1 diluted developer. This much developer is needed for

consistent results.

[alec1]

To ANSWER your question, try about 3 oz. Maybe you just have worn

out drums. I use Beseler drums and mine don't leak. If you'll set

everything up level, you can avoid those streaks. You're on the

right track. Give it a chance before you junk it.

[steve_feldman]

I agree with Alec. I've been using a Unicolor print drum for 4x5 film

dev. for many years. Never a problem or streak. Mostly Agfa 100 in

HC110. An 8x10 drum capacity is about 15 oz. without leaking. More

than that will dribble out during rotations. And be sure it's all

level. If yours leaks you need a new gasket that fits into the cap.

BTW a Unicolor base rotates in both directions. Figure the amount of

dev. for the number of square inches of film. Don't try to skimp.

8x10 = 80 sq. in. of film. Be sure the amount of dev. in the tank

will process the amount of film.

[david_grandy5]

I have a Unicolor roller and drum for processing 4x5 and 8x10 B&W

film. I use about 250 ml of developing solution per sheet of 8x10

film and about 2/3 of that for two 4x5 sheets. I've routinely used

250 ml of developer for 120 film and 36 exposure 135 film; both of

which have 80 square inches of film area. I see no reason to use

less developer for the same square inch area in 8x10.

 

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My drum takes a plastic gasket that seals the tank against leaking.

When I first got the tank it leaked like a sieve inspite of the

gasket. I friend gave me another gasket and that solved the leakage

problem instantly.

 

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To the eye these gaskets are identical and I see no reason for the

first one to leak, yet there you have it. If you have more than one

gasket and drum then switching gasket and drum may be all that it

takes.

 

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I get wonderfully even developing when I use the base and drum,

especially in areas of the film where there's lots of even tones

like the sky. Now my base is bi-directional and I'd have my doubts

about getting even development from a unidirectional motor base like

the old Cibachrome bases.

[jay_lynch]

I use one of the bases that waves back and forth so I have not

problems. My tank does not have a name on it but it works great for

me. The inside is not flat like most are. It has little ridges so

that the fixer can get to the back of the film and clear it. I use

only 5 oz of developer and find it is enough.

 

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I would get rid of the leaky drum. It might short out the motor in

the base if it gets wet.

 

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good luck, Jay..

[dhananjay_n]

I've pasted a piece of cardboard on the roller (on the drum should

work well also). That provides the wave motion i.e., in addition to

rotation, the drum also rocks on end. I've never actually experienced

uneven development before i.e., without the cardboard but I figured

that it should help with bromide drag issues anyway. Cheers, DJ

[ted_kaufman]

I use a Unicolor autoreversing base with Unicolor print drums for 4x5

sheet film. I've seen no streaking with a variety of films and

developers. I use 250ml for up to 2 sheets and 500ml for up to 4.

 

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As for leaks, I have 5 drums, and all but one of them leaked badly.

But the repair is simple. Remove the thin, hard plastic gasket, then

remove the thicker soft seal, which sits underneath it. Run a

gernerous bead of 100% silicon rubber (available at any hardware

store) in the channel where the thicker seal seats. Reseat the seal

and wipe up any excess. Now put another bead on top of the seal and

reseat the hard plastic gasket, sandwiching the second bead of

silicon between the soft seal and the hard gasket. Again, wipe away

any excess. Now fully reseat the lid onto the drum and leave it rest

for 24 hours. Once the silicon rubber sets, your drum will be as

sound as new.

[mateo_leyba]

Although the unicolor drums work, I find that for me the JOBO

3005 is much better way to work. I hate to process film, and the

JOBO 3005 has made it somewhat OK.