Another newbie question. Have been reading a fair amount on the web concerning the various ways to process 4x5 cut film. I have had a large amount of experience with 35mm roll film and some of the tank products on the market, but this is all very new to me.

Thought some of you people that have been around the large format dark room for a while might give there opinions concerning their likes and the "whys" behind them.

I use the Jobo 3010 Expert Drum which can process up to 10 4x5s at a time.

Steve

I've tried tanks, drums, trays, and I get the best results with 1/2 gallon hard-rubber tanks with Kodak stainless hangers. These can often be had on the cheap. I follow the large-tank development times and the old Kodak-recommended lift-right-and-tilt, lift-left-and-tilt once/minute agitation technique. I process in total darkness and once the films are done with the fix, flip on the light.

If you would like a minimal setup, look for an Ilford small tube tank offered with the Cibachrome 4x5 kit. They are still available - I found 2 at the Huntsville Camera Show the other day. They are great for working out your development times, etc. Granted, you can only develop 1 sheet of 4x5 film at a time, but, once you've loaded the tank, everything can be done under in the light where you can see what you're doing. You don't have to mix so much chemicals for this work.

For volume work, I too like the 1/2 gal hard rubber tanks and "dip and dunk" processing like they did it in the old days.