E6 processing in Paterson orbital print processor

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Has anyone tried doing E6 in the Paterson orbital processor? As it can hold 4 sheets of 4x5 film, and only needs 50mm of each chemical this seems quite economical. I was thinking of using the Tetenal 3 step kit, any one tried this combination?

-- mark blackman (mark.blackman1@btinternet.com), June 07, 2002

Answers

Are you referring to what Paterson calls the Colortherm? I picked a Colortherm up last fall, but haven't used it yet other then to test the mechanics. I was wondering the same thing -E6 negs in the rotary drum. If you get to it before I do, let me know how it went.

-- Paul Coppin (coppin@execulink.com), June 07, 2002.

I have the Orbital processor without the motor base, but never did use it for the intended purpose of B&W film, or paper.

Roger Hicks a long time ago wrote an article in Shutterbug on it's use which was quite positive, but did note that the bottom of the unit needed to be roughed up with a Dremel rotary tool so the film wouldn't stick to the bottom. I didn't particularly like the fact of consistenting moving the unit by hand for film since 2 sides are higher than the middle, and low quanity chemical would need consistant agitation. I especially didn't like the fact that when open and with liquid in it for a test, I didn't see too much chemical exchange in the deep corners. I would have to belive that results may be inconsistant with more agitation (flow) in the middle and less towards the corners unless you agitate it perfectly. But like all things, practice makes perfect, and I know Hicks has used the unit with satisfactory results, as I have seen prints made with one from developed negatives in the unit. Personally I wouldn't develop 4 sheets with less than 125ml of stock solution before dilution. For me with 4 sheets and enough to cover the B&W film for periods of non- agitation (again 2 sides are higher than the middle), you'll need 1600ml solution, or more than I wanted to use for a fill and pour operation. In the end I believe that the unit is (and as it states so) more intended for paper developing, i.e. the 50ml cups, so I might try it for that for the heck of it and see what I get with paper. You can temper the tray in a water bath as it floats. Oh yea, the other thing I didn't like about it was the runners on the bottom of the lid that are suppose to keep the film/paper down in the solution. No thanks. Get a Dev-Tec or better yet a Jobo.

-- Wayne Crider (waynecrider@hotmail.com), June 07, 2002.


Mark

I can't help you with E6 but I've used an orbital processor for many years with B&W 4x5 and 8x10 and had good results with it. I picked this idea up from a friend and know a couple other guys using one as well so it appears it's use is wide spread in some countries. (I'm in New Zealand)

For 8x10 you need to remove the separators from the underside of the lid, they create agitation problems. I always use at least 250 mls of chemistry for any combination of negs, this way the negs are always covered.

Tests with a densitometer prove even development across the neg. Suggest you test it and see if it works for you.

-- Clayton Tume (clayton@bigshotz.co.nz), June 07, 2002.


Thanks for the comments on the processor. Anyone got anything to say about the Tetenal 3 step kit?

-- mark blackman (mark.blackman1@btinternet.com), June 08, 2002.

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