monobath developer

[Doug T.]

Hi All!

I'm reading a book on film developing, and ran across an article describing how to develop film while it's still in the cassette.
It looks like a fun little experiment to try, but it says to use a monobath solution I don't see how putting developer and fixer in the same solution can have a happy ending.
Have any of you ever tried this? Were the results acceptable?

Doug

[daveh]

Doug,

I don't think I ever got around to trying monobath developers, unless you include the polaroid method to that.

Back to the start:
1) monobath using just one solution
2) "Polaroid" type, where fix solution is introduced to the tank after a set development time.

Both work with older type films, but have limitations in control of development, contrast etc. Whether they work with modern type emulsions, I'm not sure.

Developing in cassette: there was a kit marketed 1960s and/or 1970s for developing inside the 35mm cassette. There were always stories of streaky negatives. Certainly if normal chemicals were used - either in two bath, or type (2) above I can see that happening. I think in type (1) above, at least from what I remember of its method of working, streaks would be less of a problem. (The image was only fixed after development, so presumably it didn't matter if different parts developed at differing rates.)

It always seemed to me to be of interest only. Perhaps if a darkroom wasn't to hand it might have been worth a try. However any saving in time or whatever seemed to me to be outweighed by the probable disadvantages. Anyway, in those days forty years ago there were changing bags available for loading film into developing tanks (and other uses) so not having a darkroom wasn't of necessity a problem.

Dave.

[Deleted]

Get yourself one of those old Leitz or Agfa Rodinax daylight tanks where you put the cassette in a light-tight compartment, then roll the film onto a reel, then develop in the tank:



W.

[daveh]

The one problem with the daylight tanks is that they require the film not to be fully wound into the cassette. In the old days of hand rewinding it was relatively easy to prevent that happening. Some auto re-winds can be set for tongue out or in. Tongue in is a bit of a pain especially when the cassette is the welded on type and if you haven't got a gizmo for bring the tongue out again you've got a headache. (However it does help prevent double exposure.)

[Doug T.]

Dave,

I know that anytime I try getting MY tongue out without the gizmo, I get into all sorts of trouble.

Doug

[mickeyobe]

Jan 18, 2012 15:04:45 GMT -5 Doug T. said:

Dave,

I know that anytime I try getting MY tongue out without the gizmo, I get into all sorts of trouble.

Doug

I have tried several of those gizmos.

I have found the Kodak ML 135 Film Extractor, Model M to be the best.

It may still require several tries though.

I have had it for a long time so there may be better ones available now.

Mickey