Re: ATM Advice on Film Developing Tanks

["t obrien" <killer_jupiter@robotworks.net>]

Dave, Bob and all,
Having spent two years plus in a photography school doing all my own developing, I can assure you, like grinding mirrors, practice makes perfect. The only issue I ever had with the Patterson system was in humid Boston summers, the film would jam while loading the reels. Nothing would make those films slide on the plastic in the middle of July. 
Some hints:
1.) Learn how to use the standard Nikor reels. It does take practice, but remember, you can use your finger on the film to guide it as it is on the back of the plastic film, not on the emulsion side. The other reasons for using Nikor type reels is they do not accumulate contamination from fix like the plastic ones do, and the flow of developer is much more even with the metal Nikor reels.
2.) If you still decide to use the Patterson Sytem, clean thoroughly after each use and trim the edges of the film  (kind of a katycorner cut on each side of the film, not into the image area and not through a sprocket hole) that feed into the reel's slots so the film doesn't jamb.
The Patterson reels MUST be completely dry.

best of luck, and please p-mail with any questions about film and development.

tim o'brien
san jose, ca

>Regarding Bob Bunge's post asking for advice on film developing tanks.
>I've been
>developing my own B&W film for many years, and I have learned to LOVE
>the black & red,
>plastic, Patterson tanks. They use a patented ball-bearing system for
>walking the film onto the reel, and it helps GREATLY, when you're trying
>to load the film in the dark.
 
>Dave Sleeter
>
>

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tim o'brien
san jose, ca

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