[LargeFormat] Processing 4X5 recommandations.

[Les Newcomer]

In "The Film Developing Book" Anchell and Troop have this to say about
volumes of developer:


"Although it is true, As Kodak claims, that 100 ml of undiluted D-76 is
sufficient to develop 8x10 inches of film. it may not always be enoguh
to develop the film to its fullest potiental. The amount of solution
required to cover the film's surface should not be confused with the
amount of developer required to fully develop a roll of film.

To maintain quality and consistency use the following volumes for each
8x10 inches of film, regardless of processing method--even rotary processing.

Undilute developers--at least 250 mil per 8x10 sheet
dilute developers-- at least 500ml (d-76 1:1, rodinal 1:25 to 1:50)
very dilute developers-- 1 liter D-76 1:3, (Rodinal 1:100 fx2 1;1 HC-110
1:90 form concentrate)"

These amount may sound extreme to some. but saving on developer is penny
wise and pound foolish. Do not try to make photography cost effective by
skimping on film developer. You will never be able to maintain quality
and consistency, even if the results appear adequate."



8x10 is equivelent to 4 (4x5) 2(5x7) 1(120) or (1) 35mm x36xp


To extrapolate from the data... If those 4x5 Nikor carousel reels use a
standard 16 oz tank ( 1/2 liter or 500ml) then you can process 8 sheets
of undiluted, 4 sheets of diluted or 1 sheet of very diluted.

A yankee tank takes 55 oz I believe, 

55oz of undiluted devloper will handle  26 sheets

55 oz of diluted  developer will handle 13 sheets

55 oz of very diluted developer will handle 6.5 sheets.




So if you are into stand developement, very diluted developers, the deep
tanks are the only way to go. The smaller tanks seem to starve the film,
at least in Anchell's opinion.


Les