developing 5 x 7 BW

[bob haight]

What is your favorite way to develop this film? I have been using

the trays but its very easy to scratch the negatives.

[magic1]

I've seen a wire tray that will hold 2 5x7s apart for tray processing. Also Summitek (http://www.summitek.com/cradle.html) makes a cradle for tray processing. I've used their 4x5 version and it works well.

[per_volquartz1]

Jobo Expert drum - even processing - never a scratch! (Pyro Rollo or HC-110)

[jnanian]

hi bob -

 

i process in trays, and luckily haven't had any problems with scratching ( except for

one negative) in about 6 years ( knock wood). i usually shuffle/process between 6

and 12 sheets in 8x10 trays ...

[nick_morris]

Hi Bob,

I've used tanks with hangers for both 4x5 and 8x10, but only use trays now. At first I scratched some negatives, but after getting the feel for it, and relaxing, no problems. I like it because I don't have a very large darkroom, so using the same trays for film and prints saves alot of space. I usually process 3 to 6 8x10 negatives at a time, shuffling with emulusion side up, in HC-110, stop bath, fixer, rinse, perma-wash, final wash, photo-flo, and hang in the closet to dry.

Simple and fast. I just got a 5x7 reduction back for my 8x10, and will do the same for those negatives.

[john_kasaian1]

Trays take some practice, but they are, IMHO very efficient. If your film does well with constant agitation, the Unicolor drum and base work swell for under $40 on ebay. You don't have to stand around in the dark while it does it's stuff, either!-----cheers!

[allen_whittier]

I develop them 4 at a time in a Beseler Unicolor 11x14 Paper developing drum. It only needs 3 oz of developer. Get the paper drum not the filmdrum. If you get one, make sure the three removable ribs for holding the film are there. They are frequently missing.

[john_gerndt1]

Learning not to scratch the film is the cheapest way. Jobo tools are the most expensive. One thing you can do to reduce scratching is to clip the corners before processing, but still it is the way you move them around in the tray that is doing the harm. Play with a couple of sheets in the light and figure out what you are doing wrong. It is that simple.

 

John

[ken_schroeder]

Bob, two very simple modifications in tray developing will almost eliminate scratching problems. 1) When you drop each sheet flat into the presoak trak, allow thirty seconds before dropping the next sheet. This gives the emulsion plenty of time to absorb the water. 2) Switch to Paterson 11x14 (I think they are called 12x16) trays and use plenty of solution. You won't be cramped.