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Has anyone used the SP-445 Developing Tank for 4x5?


EoinC

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I have one but haven't used it yet! I supported the Kickstarter project so I've followed the R&D as it went along and they've put a lot of thought into it. In terms of how it turned out they did a great job, it feels right and nicely made. But the proof of the pudding as they say......

 

Purely subjectively I don't think it can possibly be worse than the alternative daylight tanks, and I've tried them all. Some work well, like the Yankee dev tank, but that needs gallons of developer, a Paterson tank using elastic bands, truly horrible, a Paterson with 4x5 insert, very hit and miss (mostly miss), and a home modified Paterson colour print processing tray, works very well a bit messy, but with care does a reliable 4 sheets at a time and uses hardly any chemicals.

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Thank you, Steve.

 

I see that they've modified the sheet holders now, such that they only have a centre strip of support, and say that even that may not be necessary. I like the fact that it uses a relatively small volume of developer for 4 sheets.

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I too backed this on Kickstarter.

Don't plan on using it for film but I have used it with some 4x5 Galaxy Reversal paper exposed in my pinhole camera.

 

The SP-445 is very easy to use, doesn't leak, and as said, nice to only have to use a small volume of chemistry.

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I use a few 5x7 print trays with raised ribs.   You will need total darkness.   Worked first time  & every time.   Work your way around the adjacent edges lifting & dropping 1/2",  2 adjacent sides per cycle which take 10 sec, rest 50, repeat.  An audible timer is really nice.   

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