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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Darkroom / January 2005

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Yankee sheet film developing Tank

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Stephen M. Gluck - 18 Oct 2004 21:21 GMT
I have been using the tray method for developing 4 X 5 Sheet film.  I
am not real happy about spending all that time in the closet
developing 1 or 2 sheets at a time.  Has anyone used the Yankee sheet
film developing tank ?  It does 6 negatives at a time and once the
exposed film is loaded on the rack and the top closed the rest is done
in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.
Nicholas O. Lindan - 18 Oct 2004 22:32 GMT
> Has anyone used the Yankee sheet film developing tank ?
> Any info would help before I go and buy it.

Most users have reported kein gluck.  Some have felt it
works OK - it may be a special touch is required.

FWIW: There seems to be universal happiness with the
various Jobo systems.  To keep from rolling the drum
all the time you will need a motor base, available
at used photo equipment dealers and on ebay for $10-20.

If you get a Yankee get a used one so if it doesn't work
out you can sell it on down the line without much lost $.

Signature

Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer:  Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
Remove spaces etc. to reply: n o lindan at net com dot com
psst.. want to buy an f-stop timer? nolindan.com/da/fstop/

Donald Qualls - 19 Oct 2004 01:36 GMT
> I have been using the tray method for developing 4 X 5 Sheet film.  I
> am not real happy about spending all that time in the closet
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
> are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.

My recommendation is to make a set of daylight fill tubes from ABS pipe
and fittings.  You can load them in a changing bag and stay out of the
closet, develop on the counter by the sink, and never have to worry
about scratching (as in your tray developing) or unevenness (as is
reported regularly by Yankee sheet film tank users).  Plus, you can use
the tubes for stand development with highly dilute developers, if you
choose.

Signature

The challenge to the photographer is to command the medium, to use
whatever current equipment and technology furthers his creative
objectives, without sacrificing the ability to make his own decisions.
                                                         -- Ansel Adams

Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer   http://silent1.home.netcom.com

Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.

Bob Salomon - 19 Oct 2004 01:42 GMT
In article <SjZcd.67637$ci3.3965141@twister.southeast.rr.com>,


> > I have been using the tray method for developing 4 X 5 Sheet film.  I
> > am not real happy about spending all that time in the closet
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> > in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
> > are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.

You will find that the Combi-Plan tank is easier to load, works in room
light, performs as a force film washer and works by inverse agitation
and gives very evenly processed films. With black and white it can take
up to 12 sheets back to back. With color 6 sheets.

Signature

To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Frank Pittel - 19 Oct 2004 02:07 GMT
: In article <SjZcd.67637$ci3.3965141@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
:  
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
: > > in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
: > > are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.

: You will find that the Combi-Plan tank is easier to load, works in room
: light, performs as a force film washer and works by inverse agitation
: and gives very evenly processed films. With black and white it can take
: up to 12 sheets back to back. With color 6 sheets.

I know that you sell the Combi-Plan tank here in the US but I got one a number
of years ago and I found it to be junk. When filling the tank the fitting on the
top "bubbles" whatever solution being poured into the tank out of the tank with the
air this makes a mess when filling the tank. Trying to fill the tank to quickly
causes the chemistry to leak out of the air vent making an even bigger mess. This
leads to uneven development under the best of circumstances.

Of course I could simply have gotten a defective unit. :-)
Signature


Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
fwp@deepthought.com

Bob Salomon - 19 Oct 2004 02:16 GMT
> : In article <SjZcd.67637$ci3.3965141@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
> :  
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> Of course I could simply have gotten a defective unit. :-)

Or didn't open the air lock. You certainly never contacted us at the
time to report your problem.

In almost 30 years we have never had a report like yours nor has anyone
with a defective tank not had it replaced.

But the most likely problem was not opening the air vent per the
instructions when filling or emptying the tank.

Signature

To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Frank Pittel - 19 Oct 2004 03:52 GMT
: > : In article <SjZcd.67637$ci3.3965141@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
: > :  
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
: >
: > Of course I could simply have gotten a defective unit. :-)

: Or didn't open the air lock. You certainly never contacted us at the
: time to report your problem.

I tested the unit with water and opening the air lock didn't help with the
mess I was getting. After I figured out there was a problem I tested the
operation with water since I don't care for getting photographic chemistry
all over my hands. I didn't contact you since I got the unit from Calumet photo
and they told me all was well with it and by that time I had it to long to return.

: In almost 30 years we have never had a report like yours nor has anyone
: with a defective tank not had it replaced.

I would bet that people having the kind of problem that I'm having simply never
reported it to you. That or I was lucky to get one that doesn't work. :-)

In my case the tank is long out of any reasonable warranty. I did use the problems
I had with it to justify buying a Jobo processor. :-)

For the record I do know two people that have a combi plan tank and have had very good
success with it.

: But the most likely problem was not opening the air vent per the
: instructions when filling or emptying the tank.

I opened the vent while filling. When I was experimenting with water I varied how
much I opened the vent from a quarter of a turn to as far as I could without unscrewing
it from the base.

Signature

Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
fwp@deepthought.com

Frank Pittel - 19 Oct 2004 04:29 GMT
I just wanted to post an update on some testing I just completed with my
Combi-Plan. I do have to admit that over the years of not using it I managed
to loose a couple of pieces and my cat used the funnel as a chew toy leaving
holes that I mostly fixed with electrical tape. (Can I buy the missing and broken
parts seperatly??)

In this case the leaking funnel quickly made the source of my problem clear. When I
first tried to fill the tank I noticed a bit of water running down the outside of the
valve. As before the escaping air causedthe water to bubble up out of the vent and it
made a mess. Even stopping the funnel leak with a liberal amount of electrical tape
didn't stop it. I bit of further investigation revealed that when I removed the filler
that the water filled the area in the top that the air escaped from. The fluid
collecting there was the cause of my problem. I tested this cleaning the water out
of the top and the bubbling stopped.

As a result I have proven that the problem that I had with my tank was the result
of my misuse of it. I would therefore like to retract comments I made about the
problems I had with the tank. As it turns out the problems I was having was of my
own making. All I need now is to get a few replacement parts. :-)

Frank

: : > : In article <SjZcd.67637$ci3.3965141@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
: : > :  
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
: : >
: : > Of course I could simply have gotten a defective unit. :-)

: : Or didn't open the air lock. You certainly never contacted us at the
: : time to report your problem.

: I tested the unit with water and opening the air lock didn't help with the
: mess I was getting. After I figured out there was a problem I tested the
: operation with water since I don't care for getting photographic chemistry
: all over my hands. I didn't contact you since I got the unit from Calumet photo
: and they told me all was well with it and by that time I had it to long to return.

: : In almost 30 years we have never had a report like yours nor has anyone
: : with a defective tank not had it replaced.

: I would bet that people having the kind of problem that I'm having simply never
: reported it to you. That or I was lucky to get one that doesn't work. :-)

: In my case the tank is long out of any reasonable warranty. I did use the problems
: I had with it to justify buying a Jobo processor. :-)

: For the record I do know two people that have a combi plan tank and have had very good
: success with it.

: : But the most likely problem was not opening the air vent per the
: : instructions when filling or emptying the tank.

: I opened the vent while filling. When I was experimenting with water I varied how
: much I opened the vent from a quarter of a turn to as far as I could without unscrewing
: it from the base.

: Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
: -------------------
: fwp@deepthought.com

Signature

Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
fwp@deepthought.com

Bob Salomon - 19 Oct 2004 09:16 GMT
> I just wanted to post an update on some testing I just completed with my
> Combi-Plan. I do have to admit that over the years of not using it I managed
[quoted text clipped - 108 lines]
> : -------------------
> : fwp@deepthought.com

Great. You can call us to order the missing/damaged parts.
800 735 4373. After 3:00 today we will be involved with the NY Photo
Plus show and will not be back in the office till next Monday.

Signature

To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Frank Pittel - 22 Oct 2004 02:05 GMT
: > I just wanted to post an update on some testing I just completed with my
: > Combi-Plan. I do have to admit that over the years of not using it I managed
[quoted text clipped - 108 lines]
: > : -------------------
: > : fwp@deepthought.com

: Great. You can call us to order the missing/damaged parts.
: 800 735 4373. After 3:00 today we will be involved with the NY Photo
: Plus show and will not be back in the office till next Monday.

I just mistakenly<SP?> replied via email instead of posting to the group
I'm therfore replying to the list with for the most part I'll repost what I
sent you via email.

As the result of hardware issues I didn't get your response until after you
left for the weekend. I will therefore call on monday after you have returned
from the photo show. I hope that things go better then expected at the photo
show. for those that think otherwise I of course expect to pay for the parts
and consider you selling me the parts as a positive experience. I also consider
it a it a plus that you follow the newsgroup and are willing to do what it takes
to get the tank I have in working order.

I have a project that will do well with a working Combi-Plan tank that I will do
after I get the replacement parts. After I run the test I will post an honest
evaluation of my experience with the tank. Just as I posted my past experience
with the system.

Signature

Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
fwp@deepthought.com

Mark in Maine - 19 Oct 2004 12:13 GMT
>My recommendation is to make a set of daylight fill tubes from ABS pipe
>and fittings.  You can load them in a changing bag and stay out of the
>closet, develop on the counter by the sink, and never have to worry

I use the BTZS tubes from Darkroom Innovations - same idea as these.
I do like them - no scratching, even development, and I can alter the
developer concentration (I use HC-110) on a sheet by sheet basis.
My one frustration with them is that it is difficult to do more than 6
sheets at a time, and I find it relatively slow to load the tubes, so
if I have a lot of film to process, I go back to hangers and tanks -
which you can more easily run in a pipelined fashion.

Mark
Donald Qualls - 19 Oct 2004 23:23 GMT
>>My recommendation is to make a set of daylight fill tubes from ABS pipe
>>and fittings.  You can load them in a changing bag and stay out of the
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> if I have a lot of film to process, I go back to hangers and tanks -
> which you can more easily run in a pipelined fashion.

I haven't tried to process more than three tanks at a time, but I've
done that with tanks doubled in length by adding a coupler and second
section of tube, to handle six films in three tanks.  My main objection
to the BTZS tubes is they're not very handy if you don't have a proper
darkroom -- I don't like the idea of handling the developer filled tube
cap inside my changing bag, and see problems with trying to keep the
tank in the upright, inverted position (i.e. film at top, developer at
bottom) while loading more than one tank -- not to mention the logistic
nightmare of changing from dev to stop inside the changing bag, and then
from stop to fixer.  I can load six sheets into three of my double
length tubes about as quickly as I can remove the sheets from the
holders -- I recently loaded six sheets from 70-year old plate holders,
with film sheaths, in not much over five minutes from zipping the bag to
all tubes confirmed closed and ready to unzip the bag.

With a minor modification, my tubes could be used like BTZS tubes; in
fact, I just thought of a way they could be used with minimal liquid
(perhaps as little as one ounce per 9x12 cm or 4x5 sheet) and preserve
the daylight fill capability: use a secondary tube that contains the
developer and attaches to the fill tube.  I'd load the tanks as I
usually do, and after all are loaded, invert the tanks onto the
developer tubes.  As time starts, inversion of the tank would cause
developer to run into the tank, and after ten seconds flow time the tube
could be laid on its side and agitated by rolling as is done with the
BTZS system.  The developer supply chamber could be removed at any time
after inversion, since it's now empty and the tank is light tight
without it; the level of liquid in the tube would be low enough not to
leak through the fill tube even without the usual inversion cap.  Stop,
fix, and wash would occur just as normal with daylight fill (since these
solutions are typically reused, there's little reason to economize them
as might be the case with one-shot developer).

However: I don't see the advantage of this other than to economize on
developer, and based reports I've read of uneven development with only a
few seconds pause in agitation of BTZS tubes, I still prefer my normal
method, in which the tank contains enough liquid to cover the film when
the tank stands on end with the filling tube up.  This allows inversion
agitation just as would be done with a roll film tank, at the cost of
requiring six ounces of liquid per 9x12 sheet in the standard tank
instead of one or two.  Installation of a core in the tank would easily
reduce the required liquid volume to two ounces, if the cost of
developer were high enough to consider this worthwhile (it's not, for
me, using HC-110, Caffenol, and Diafine -- HC-110 is cheap, especially
at high dilutions, Caffenol ridiculously cheap, and Diafine can be
reused without issues of consistency and so becomes amazingly cheap).

Signature

The challenge to the photographer is to command the medium, to use
whatever current equipment and technology furthers his creative
objectives, without sacrificing the ability to make his own decisions.
                                                         -- Ansel Adams

Donald Qualls, aka The Silent Observer   http://silent1.home.netcom.com

Opinions expressed are my own -- take them for what they're worth
and don't expect them to be perfect.

Dickless Cheney - 19 Oct 2004 06:44 GMT
> I have been using the tray method for developing 4 X 5 Sheet film.  I
> am not real happy about spending all that time in the closet
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
> are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.

Run....Don't walk, from the Yankee system. It requires a ton of chemicals,
and never uniformly develops the negs. The agitation method is shoddy at
best. Chemicals sloshing all over the place!

If you don't want to take a second out on the house for the Jobo stuff, look
for a used Unicolor tube and roller combo. One tube holdes four sheets of
4x5, and the amount of soup per batch is in the 350ml range (or less). I
used to do tray development, and will do so ocassionally still, but I love
the Unicolor tank and roller setup.

A roller and tube or two should be in the $ 30.00 range on ebay.
Gene A. Townsend - 17 Dec 2004 14:14 GMT
I guess I'm one of the few who use this type of developing system with
good outcome.  I like these types of tanks, since you can use them for
processing as well as washing.  Special processing technique is
required to get the best useage from them.

Use D-23 1:3.  This ultra-economical developer will take around 20
minutes to work with  most films, and the uneveness of processing is
minimzed with a slow-working developer.  Mix the developer directly
from powders for this dilution, and your results will be 100%
repeatable.  The cost of 64 ounces of this is a few cents.

Regards,

Gene A. Townsend



>I have been using the tray method for developing 4 X 5 Sheet film.  I
>am not real happy about spending all that time in the closet
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>in daylight.  How difficult is it to load the sheets onto the rack and
>are the results OK. ?  Any info would help before I go and buy it.
Rich Shepard - 09 Jan 2005 01:41 GMT
> I guess I'm one of the few who use this type of developing system with
> good outcome. I like these types of tanks, since you can use them for
> processing as well as washing. Special processing technique is required
> to get the best useage from them.

 I use a Yankee tank for my 2.25"x3.25" sheet film. The holder expands from
that size to 4"x5" and holds 12 sheets. I've had excellent results with it.

Rich
 
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