Mod 54 insert for sheet film

[Asha]

Are they worth thé money for developing 5 x 4 sheet film in a Patterson tank.

Atm i make tacos using elastic bands.

Thé insert is of interest but quite expensive if they are difficult to load etc.

Maybe sticking to tacos is better?

Your thoughts and experiences please

 

[StephenM]

I've tried the original, rather than the modified version (no pun intended). I found from initial tests that if you were very vigorous with inversion agitation, the sheets could slip out, but you did have to shake the tank rather than just invert it. I haven't tested the newer version. Loading is a matter of practice, just as with any tank or spiral; I wouldn't say it was harder than any other, based on my experience with 35mm and 120 film.

Based on my nervousness, I'm still using the CombiPlan tanks, four sheets at a time, since with 6 sheets there was a definite risk of uneven development.

 

[Asha]

I've tried the original, rather than the modified version (no pun intended). I found from initial tests that if you were very vigorous with inversion agitation, the sheets could slip out, but you did have to shake the tank rather than just invert it. I haven't tested the newer version. Loading is a matter of practice, just as with any tank or spiral; I wouldn't say it was harder than any other, based on my experience with 35mm and 120 film.

Based on my nervousness, I'm still using the CombiPlan tanks, four sheets at a time, since with 6 sheets there was a definite risk of uneven development.

Using elastic bands to make tacos has a similar issue if the tank is agitated too much in so far as the band dislodging allowing the film to end up flat up against the internal wall of the tank.

Ironically the film has still developed ok ..,,more luck than anything i think.

There appears to be a very limited choice of systems available when it comes to deving 5x4 at home.......unless i'm not searching hard enough.

 

[StephenM]

As far as I know, the Paterson print drum (plus orbital processor), CombiPlan tank (there are others if I remember correctly) and tray development are about it. If you're happy with trays in the dark, there are deep tanks and hangers, although you could probably make your own. Never tried it, but a Nova print tank in 10x8 size would probably work - in the dark, of course.

Though some panchromatic films could be safe with a short burst of appropriate safelight to transfer from dev to stop.

 

[abbandon]

Jobo 2509n and your choice of suitable tank, Patterson orbital for 4 sheets at a time, as Stephen mentioned the Combiplan tanks, some people swear by the old Nikkor stainless steel tanks and most people swear at the Yankee Agitank.

I have the Jobo reels not found the need to try them yet have used the Combiplan in the past and it works well enough.

What I think you will find is that people who have darkrooms will either do tray processing or sink line dip dunk which at its simplest can be Tupperware containers.

I have two Fotosell GL80 print processers set up as an E6 line each processor has four four litre acrilic tanks in a stainless steel temperature controlled water bath I have a selection of stainless steel hangers and can do a single 5x4 or twenty four at once or a combination of 10x8 or 5x7 as well.

Life becomes a lot more straight forward if you can set up a dark room.

 

[Nguss]

I have the original version and find it to be good. I have not had any issues with sheets coming loose so far but did have a slight issue with uneven development. Haven't used it for a while now though.

 

[dave clayton]

ok at first i hated my mod 45 but that was a case of bad process not the unit, now have limited issues developing sheet film tho i use mine with a max of 4 not 6 sheets.
would i get another one yes i would

 

[dave clayton]

ok at first i hated my mod 45 but that was a case of bad process not the unit, now have limited issues developing sheet film tho i use mine with a max of 4 not 6 sheets.
would i get another one yes i would