Tanks for 4x5 film proccessing

[raven_garrison]

I have two 4x5 film hangers. They hold four sheets. After searching endlessly for some kind or containers to proccess in, I realized my best bet would be to go to the local "custom plastic" store and have plexaglass tanks made, sized to hold as little chemistry as possible. Twelve inches in lengh, twelve inches in depth, and about six inches wide. I don't know if this is going to be expensive or not. I am not interested in tray proccessing, BTZ tubes, can not afford a Unidrum, I don't know if that would be for me anyway. But I was wondering if I used the Combi HP tanks not as a daylight tank, but dunking the film holder just like the hangers, would anyone have experience with this method? I personally don't like the time it takes to fill and empty the tank. I find it much more accurate having the film in and out quickly. I checked the threads, but none helped me in my decision. Thanks for the response.

[pat_krentz]

I had a container made for dunking the 45 film while in the

hanger, it is 3/4 in wide, 6 inches long, and 6 inches deep, it

holds 13 oz of developer and when the hanger is in it, it comes

about 1/4 inch above the top of the hanger, I develope one sheet

at a time and it works very well. Measure the width of your two

hanger set and and allow 1/4 inch, the same for depth and length.

Pat

[trevor_crone]

I know your not interested in tray development but have you tried using the Combi film hanger in a tray. This is what I've been trying recently with good results.

I put no more then 2 sheets of 4x5 in the hanger lay it in a 6x8 flat bottom tray with 26 fld.ozs.(US) of developer if processing two sheets, 20 fld.ozs. for one sheet.

Regards,

[ron_lawrence1]

What do you mean you can not afford a Unidrum. The last two I

purchased locally cost me $5.00 each (used, but very nice condition).

I also purchased a Unicolor motorized base for $15.00. The system

works great and is the lowest cost way to process 4X5, 5X7 or 8X10

film. Good luck!

[raven_garrison]

Wow! What a great idea, Trevor.I don't have

the Combi tank, I have metal film hangers.

They hold four sheets each, which I forgot to

mention. If I load the film on these and put

them in a tray, then I don't have to touch the

chemistry, the film won't scratch, and I

don't have to shuffle the film, either, all the

reason why I don't like tray proccessing.

My only question is, will the film sag,

having the center of it touch the bottom of

the tray, and I will have uneven

developement? I will try this with an

unexposed sheet of film. If its fine, how do I

agitate film in tray proccessing for the

developement??? Thanks.

[trevor_crone]

I've not used metal hangers but I guess they are quite slimline so there may be a problem with film comming into contact with the bottom of the tray. Here in the UK we have a reusable mastic adhesive compound called "Blu-Tack". If you have something similar, then blobs of this placed firmly on each corner of the hanger will raise it sufficiently above the bottom of the tray. I've used this stuff to secure sheet film in the Polaroid film holder when processing ordinary film in trays before using the Combi hanger.

With regards to agitation I rock the tray up/down, left/right at each 1/2 min. interval for the duration of the dev. time and the negs. seem very even using this method.

I hope this is of some help?

[james___]

I have tanks and drums which I use for most of myn processing. But

when I am just testing or fartin' around with one sheet at a time, I

use some small plexiglass tanks I made. I can put in two single metal

hangers in them. the only drawback is that without care I can scratch

the film in the dark. Tubes are very easy to make and I suggest you

find the directions in the archive to make them. They work great. I

also have found lots of Tupperware containers that work very well. And

they are very cheap. But making your own plexiglass tanks is very easy

but will cost you as much as just buying some simple tubes from

Calumet. James

[jacque_staskon]

Raven, have you thought about looking for the heavy kodak tanks? They

made several sizes and you could use your dip and dunk method. I

always see them in the used darkroom sections of camera stores. I try

to pick up the best for myself. I use them for all kinds of things,

never paid more than three bucks a pop.

[steve_barth]

I have built several processing tanks for 4X5 and for 8X10. The 8X10

tanks hold 2 holders. I also have a 4 holder model. The 2 sheet

tank uses only 64 ozs of chemistry. The tanks are constructed of

acrylic plastic, the stuff most archival print washers are made of.

This material cuts easily on a table saw and glues permamantly using

a horrible solvent-like cement (contains methylene chloride). If you

have access to a table saw the rest is easy.

[bruce_mclaughlin]

If you have hangers which hold four sheets of 4X5 film it sounds like

the old Kodak multiple hangers which were used with 3 1/2 gallon hard

rubber tanks. Those tanks should be available used in a reasonably

well equiped darkroom store. They are also available new but I think

they are a bit expensive. While you may be able to find or make

something which holds less solution, the highth and depth dimensions

of the 3 1/2 gallon tanks should give you a base line idea of what you

will need.