Film/Developer starting points for rotary processing

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I have decided to enter the world of rotary film development. I first became aware of it at John Sexton's workshop. I have purchased a JOBO CPE with stainless steel reels and 1500 series tanks. I hope this produces better negatives with more even development, exact repeatability and the ability to make precise adjustments. I have read some of the various threads on the net, technical literature, and have spoken with the JOBO people. I have a few questions, and I hope that the experienced rotary processors will share their knowledge and experience with me.

I know that testing is the best way to pursue this. However, I am interested in your favorite film/development combinations as starting points for rotary processing. I am currently using 120 HP5+ shot at 320ASA, and 120 TMX shot at 80 ASA. I also have a few rolls of 35mm Tri-X shot at 200 ASA. I am interested predominantly in trying TMAX and D-76 film developers, and possibly XTOL of which I have heard many good things.

OTHER QUESTIONS: I have Sexton's suggested starting points but they are for TMAX RS and they are also for sheet film. Can I use those recommendations for TMAX developer with roll film? What about the 5-minute prewet? Kodak does not mention it in their rotary suggestions, Sexton and JOBO do. Does the prewet change development times? JOBO says that appropriate starting points for any dev/film combination are the same as inversion processing as long as you incorporate the prewet. Do you or your experiences concur? Is Microdol-X 1:3 a bad rotary choice? I have used it with Tri-X in the past. Kodak does not seem to recommend using rotary D-76 at 1:1. Why, and do your experiences concur? Thanks so much for your help! Paul

-- Paul Minkus (dkurtz@mc.net), December 01, 2000

Answers

Paul,

welcome to rotary processing. you must jump off the ledge. experiment, play, embrace risk. it really doesn't matter what John or Daniel say, as your results will be unique. I have a stack of 4x5 films a foot thick, of all emulsions in most all developers. this is exciting, to find what works for you. which film, which developer, lights up the light table and glows. you will know when you discover it. it might not surface at first, but you will catch a glimpse. you will see that quality that electrifies. if only a minute more development, slight slower film speed.

for me, it was TMax TMX and TMY in Xtol or TMax RS. it felt right and the negatives levitated off the table. it took great amounts of experimentation, film, and developer .. but I found that resonance.

I wish you the same.

-- daniel taylor (aviator@agalis.net), December 01, 2000.


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