Re: Developing sheet film in open-ended PVC tubes

On Wed, 31 Mar 2004, Sandy King wrote:

>
> Yep, that is exactly what I though when I read that article years
> ago. Why bother with open-ended tubes when you can just put caps on
> the tubes and have the advantage of daylight processing? But time
> passes and we learn. The advantage to the open ended tubes is that
> you can cover them with developer (they sink in developing solution)
> and develop with minimal agitation procedures.
>

As I recall, the name of the magazine was Creative Camera and Darkroom
Techniques, I have that copy somewhere... and I did the process. In fact I
have a 6" diameter acrylic tube sitting on the book case as I write -- now
a still life with various detritus inside.

The reason for "bothering" with the open-ended tube is that having to
unscrew the top, dump the contents and then pour in the next solution not
only is a fumble fest, it screws up your timing. There were problems with
the method however -- first of all I wouldn't try it again without some
kind of ribs glued inside the tube, because the (lith) film either stuck
to the tube or let the solution in unevenly. I think you also have to
get the hang of rolling it in the tray... it's easier than the BTZ tubes
in that you can have your 3 trays ready, no fumbling and pouring, but it's
VERY easy to roll too vigorously and splash in the dark, etc.

I considered it acceptable enough to buy the larger size tube (which I
never used -- anyone who wants it can come & pick it up), but about then I
started to do brush development in the tray -- that's not only easier, it
develops more evenly. A wide soft brush, like the old brush from wide
staticmaster does the best development of lith film I've seen. For
instance, in the tube, a big area of sky got ribs -- for some reason NOT
in the direction of the roll, I don't know how or why. But never anything
like that with the brush development -- and the speed of brushing changes
the degree of agitation...

Judy

> It is also an extremely simple solution for those who do not get even
> development with tray development and/or who have a proclivity for
> scratching or gouging their negatives with shuffle development.
>
>
> Sandy
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> >>Oh, I think I know the article you are referring to. I have also seen it
> >>very long time ago but can't remember either. I think it might be in
> >>Darkroom Technique (or the name before that), but I thought for
> >>Bibliography, you only need to cite the original idea rather than the
> >>variations afterward.
> >>
> >>If I come across it I will let you know.
> >>
> >>Dave S
> >>
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: "Sandy King" <sanking@clemson.edu>
> >>To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> >>Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 12:00 PM
> >>Subject: Re: Developing sheet film in open-ended PVC tubes
> >>
> >>> Dave,
> >>>
> >>> It was not Phil Davis. Phil introduced the BTZS type tubes in his
> >>> book Beyond the Zone System but in this type of development the tubes
> >>> are capped on each end and and development is carried out in a water
> >>> bath with the lights on.
> >>>
> >>> In the article to which I refer the author recommends placing the
> >>> film in open-ended PVC tubes and then developing the films in a tray
> >>> containing the developer, with the lights off of course.
> >>>
> >>> Sandy
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> >Sandy,
> >>> >
> >>> >If I remember correctly, it was Phil Davis. The procedure should be
> >>> >described in one of his book "Beyond The Zone System." While this is from
> >>> >memory, I think it is correct since the tubes are also known as BTZS
> >>> >(abbreviation from the title of the book) tubes.
> >>> >
> >>> >Dave S
> >>> >
> >>> >----- Original Message -----
> >>> >From: "Sandy King" <sanking@clemson.edu>
> >>> >To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
> >>> >Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 11:26 AM
> >>> >Subject: Developing sheet film in open-ended PVC tubes
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> >> A number of years ago someone wrote an article that was published in
> >>> >> one of the national magazines that described how to develop sheet
> >>> >> film in open-ended PVC tubes in trays. This procedure offers some
> >>> >> advantages over normal tray development in that it gives 1) very even
> >>> >> development with no edge hot spots, and 2) minimizes the possibility
> >>> >> of scratching that many experience in shuffle agitation.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> I am describing this procedure in a current writing project and would
> >>> >> like to give credit to the person who originally suggested the
> >>> >> procedure but I am unable to locate it. Can anyone on the list
> >>> >> provide any details to help me locate the article.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Sandy
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
>
Received on Wed Mar 31 18:35:00 2004