Re: washing sheet film

Risa S. Horowitz (babbleon@terraport.net)
Tue, 12 Mar 1996 21:13:54 -0500

Hello
this is my first response to the list, so please be patient if this "reply"
was gone about in the wrong fashion

With my limited experience shooting 4x5 at Ryerson Polytechnical Inst.
{p.e.i. programme}, myself and the other students made us of something
similar to what CJ mentioned. I've never tray processed - always used metal
film holders and tanks - so washing the film was as simple as using an
additional, but modified tank - just hang the film racks inside it. The
water flowed in from the bottom {side} and flowed out a spout near the top.
Again, this was my only experience with washing sheet film, and I'm not
quite positive of its efficacy re: appropriate flow of water and proper
re-fill rate, but it sure seemed to work {and none of my film now has any
marks of contamination or lack of washing}

good luck
Risa

>>Hello again all,
>>
>>It occurs to me that someone may have a better solution for washing sheet
>>film than I do (actually, that would be easy). I suppose it could go in a
>>printwasher, but the wet time would be too long.
>>
>>The problem is that light film rises to the top of the tray in
>>one-at-a-time tray wash and unless you poke it down every minute dries on
>>top. Even a cascade of water from a long pipe with holes has to be
>>re-aimed every minute or so. Most difficult is the N31P 30 by 40 cm --
>>does not stay under. I'm contemplating steps, but before going whole hog,
>>thought I'd ask....
>>
>>Judy
>
>Judy,
>
>Here's a somewhat simplistic answer to your problem...Use a film developing
>tank. I have a 4"x5" patterson tank. Holds about 25 sheets at a time and
>I can honestly say I have NEVER had a problem with scratches. I'll be
>watching the list to see what everyone else says...
>
>Good Luck,
>
>CJ
>
>
>