FishyFish
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Thanks Chris you've answered a question I had several years ago and the answer is... With some difficulty.I'd love to see how they separate the paper from the film for 120.
After a tricky start I’ve now done 4 rolls of 120 in the Lab-Box and I’m finding it easier and I’m starting to trust it but despite the success I’m not sure I’ll keep it as I never really had problems with the spiral and tank set up, it was more the encouragement of a film based Kickstarter campaign that seemed important.Today I devved my second film with the Lab-Box... yes, I'm really getting value for money from this thing... not (yet)! This time I wanted to dev the roll of 120 FP4+ that I was using to experiment with panorama in-camera shots, described elsewhere.
The first issue of course, was changing from the 135 module to the 120 module. This was pretty much a pain in the posterior, just as described in post 87 above, but in reverse. Definitely, if you want to use both modules, get yourself a second spindle and leave both reels fully set up.
This time I chose the knob rather than the handle.
Then it was time to load the 120 film. This is a little complicated: drop the roll in, feed the backing paper through the slot on the side, lid on, pull the backing paper until it won't go any more (and some arrows turn up. Then tear off the backing paper. Now the scary bit: open the lid, hoping that the exposed film has mostly vanished into a light-proof chamber, Pull off the remainder of the backing paper (there seemed to be quite a lot), and remove the spool. The manual says "Remove the excess backing paper and the adhesive from the film". This was difficult, even though I could see what I was doing. Unfortunately in attempting to remove the adhesive bit, I tore the film! I've no idea how one would ever manage to get that adhesive off in a dark bag... Now with a jaggedy end to the film I had to pull out a bit and trim it straight. Then clip it on to the strap, lid on, and wind the film onto the spool. It jammed a bit which worried me, but I gave it a bit more oomph, and it moved, then turned until the last bit of film went in, and it turned reasonably freely. In fact it was free for most of each rotation, but then a bit more sticky at the last bit, so I was worried that it wasn't on the reel properly.
Loading chems was ok this time, poring from beyond the end of the tank. The knob was a big improvement, and this time it was quite easy to turn the knob one-handed while doing things with the other hand (rinsing and so on). Dumping chems I thought was a bit faster than the Rondinax, although loading is a bit slower.
I've just sleeved the negs after drying. The very first shot was ruined when I pulled the film out a bit to cut it, and the second has what looks like a light leak at the sides of the film that might possibly be from the same incident. Otherwise, they look ok.
And yes, there are some 6x17-ish negatives on there!
With a roll of 135 Ortho+ to dev, I decided not to covert the Lab-Box back to 135, but use the tried and trusty Rondinax instead!
After a tricky start I’ve now done 4 rolls of 120 in the Lab-Box and I’m finding it easier and I’m starting to trust it but despite the success I’m not sure I’ll keep it as I never really had problems with the spiral and tank set up, it was more the encouragement of a film based Kickstarter campaign that seemed important.
I’ve been using the intermittent agitation with 500ml (?) of chemicals.Are you using the continuous agitation method? The disadvantage compared with a spiral and tank is that in the latter case you only need 10 seconds agitation per minute (or whatever), so you can do other things like unclip the top of the Stop bath bottle etc, plus the MDC app works reasonably well. It's all a bit more hands-on with the Rondinax/Lab-Box. For me, still worth it I think to NOT have to load the film onto a spiral in a dark bag, although maybe I should have a try one day.
BTW Nick, would it be worth putting Lab-Box in the title of this thread to make it easier for others to find?
Thanks Nick... 300 ml for continuous, I believe 490 (< 500 to avoid leaking!) for intermittent!I’ve been using the intermittent agitation with 500ml (?) of chemicals.
Good idea on changing the title![]()
Sounds about right.Thanks Nick... 300 ml for continuous, I believe 490 (< 500 to avoid leaking!) for intermittent!
I thought there was going to be a digital thermometer included (a stretch goal?), but there isn't one.
Noting that @PeterSpencer is buying one of these with the 120 and 135 modules, I thought it might be worth resurrecting this thread. I'm expecting to use my Lab-box more, having bought a Fuji GS645S; I did develop the film from that with the 120 module, and it works surprisingly well, though I do have to refer to the instructions about loading it. No doubt I will get more used to it as I use 120 more.Well a few months ago Ars-Imago announced they had finished the design and build of the Professional Lid after several false starts. They said they couldn't afford to send it out for free, but were offering it to backers for €25 (retail for €84 I think). I decided to get one, as I should get my money back when/if I sell the thing. It arrived a week or so ago. Needs an AAA battery, it has a display for the internal temperature (C or F) and includes a timer on the lid as well. I did take a pic with my digi camera but... when I looked at it on the computer it was out of focus!
I did dev a roll of 135 this week, but did it in the Rondinax, just because it's what I'm used to. Having re-read the more recent posts on this thread, I realise that to use the Lab-Box I would have had to dis-assemble and re-assemble the reel again. No thanks!
Wise words, although I haven't had a failure yet. One other thing I noted is that pouring the chems in has to be taken a bit slower than with the Rondinax, else you'll slop it over the edge. Might favour longer dev times with more margin for error (I'm tending to use HC-110 1+47 more than 1+31 these days, for that sort of reason, but also for the nicer results!).Just a word of advice, whilst the Lab Box is a great bit of kit it does have some quirks so it advisable to have a sacrificial roll that you can practice with, particularly when dev'ing 120 film.
Once you've got the hang of it its quick and simple to use.
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