PMK with sheet film in hangers

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I've been using PMK with rollfilm (TX and HP5+) for some time. About ready to take the plunge also with 4x5 HP5+. Gordon Hutchings in The Book of Pyro recommends against using hangers. But...I've gotten very attached to them. I know there are many different opinions on hangers, but I love 'em! I will break down and try them myself, but just wanted to ask whether anybody else already has, and how it worked out. I have the hangers with holes all around the outside for good flow. Anybody trying this? Thanks!

-- John Sarsgard (sarsgard@yahoo.com), November 10, 2000

Answers

This might help you.

http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=002Pdw

josh

-- josh (devil_music@usa.net), November 12, 2000.


Hangers can cause streaking at the film edges, especially with PMK. Learn to develop sheet film in trays. It's not as scary in reality as people think. Practice with scrap sheets until you can do it without scratching any of them. Tray development provides completely even developing. You don't need a Jobo; you don't need a goofy plastic rig to hold the sheets. You just need practice. Do NOT put your bare hands into pyro! Use latex gloves available from any pharmacy. Also, use a pre-soak, otherwise the tanning action of the pyro will permanently bond the sheets together if you just put them dry into the developer.

-- Michael D Fraser (mdfraser@earthlink.net), November 12, 2000.

Micheal, What if your afraid of the dark?-J

-- josh (devil_music@usa.net), November 12, 2000.

I have used film holders in 2000 mil tanks with great success. I have settled on a simpler idea. Take one film holder, and bend the handle 90 degrees creating a "L" shaped holder. Place the film emulsion up in the holder and use a 8X10 or 4X5 tray. The holder does a excellent job with PMK, and you can keep your fingers out of the chemical. I beleive that having the emulsion faced up prevents abrasion from the tray bottom, and results in better PMK flow over the emulsion.

-- John Clark (john.e.clark@starstream.com), November 13, 2000.

Do you mean 'hangers?' I hope you are not bending film holders; seems rather difficult, especially if you want to later use them in the camera again!

-- Michael D Fraser (mdfraser@earthlink.net), November 14, 2000.


Thanks to everyone for the input. John Clark...curious about your use of the bent hanger. Sounds great for one at a time...or four up, for 4x5 using that kind of hanger, but why did you stop using the larger tank? Doing 6 or 8 at a time sounds good. Did you have any problem with streaking at the edges? Thanks! John

-- John Sarsgard (sarsgard@yahoo.com), November 15, 2000.

My only complaint with using hangers/tank was once and a while I would nick/cut my emulsions. The bent hanger method results in perfect development without the risk of cuts. I can easily hold two of these holders with on hand using a 8X10 tray.

-- John Clark (john.e.clark@starstream.com), November 15, 2000.

Oh BTW, With the holders/tank/PMK I lifted them out once every 15 seconds, tilting the one corner up. I alternated by tilting the oposite direction the next cycle. I only noticed streaking when I was too aggressive with the agitation.

-- John Clark (john.clark@starstream.net), November 15, 2000.

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