Dumb question re: processing 4x5

"pico" <pico.pico.net> wrote in message
news:13iacqm89oguafe@news.supernews.com...
> "Robert Chin" <bchin_us.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:ffd9re018fc@news5.newsguy.com...
>
>> So my question(s) is/are simple: I've heard that because the processing
>> tanks for 4x5 film take so long to fill, uneven development could result.
>
> Not if you use a film and developer you can pre-soak or use high dilutions
> with long development times.
>
>> Is this a real problem, or is it the opinion of someone really obsessive?
>
> It's a problem for people who use film/developer/temps that yield short
> development times. Just don't go there.
>
>
Depends on the tank.
Let's assume that it takes thirty seconds to fill the tank. Let's assume you
are doing C41, where the developer time is 3:15. The tank filling time is
about 1/6 of the total developement time. That's a bad thing. Now let's
assume that a different developer/temperatuire combination time is 15:00
That thirty seconds to fill the tank is now only 1/30 of the developement
time-- not a big deal.

If you are using one of the tanks where the film stands up and the tank
requires a quart/liter or so of developer, it's going to take some time to
fill. But you can process perhaps a dozen sheets at once. Just fill the tank
in advance, load the sheets in the holder, and shove the holder into the
full tank- start timing. If you are using one of the tube/roller styles
tanks that only require a few ounces of developer (they don't need to be
full), the fill time is not an issue.

When I develope 120 rolls four at a time in C-41, fill time is an issue. I
have two tanks. I load all the rolls on the 'spindle' (long center post that
holds the reels). The tank is already filled with the proper amount of
developer. I put all the films in the tank, start the timer, close the lid,
and turn on the lights. The second tank has the bleach in it. When the timer
reaches 3:00, I turn off the lights and get ready to pull the reels out of
the developer tank and put them in the bleach tank. Essentially, this
procedure makes the 'fill time' for a large tank only a matter of seconds.

Hi All:

Thanks to everyone who replied. This was a big help. I'm going to filter
through some of the suggestions and figure out a better set up than what I
have now.

For now though I like the idea of a dilution that will allow me long
development times. I'm using the Kodak Tmax film now. Mostly the 100, but
in the future, I will be using the others.

What is a good developer/dilution (preferably using Kodak or Ilford
chemistry) that will get me longer development times, like in the range of
10+ minutes?

The other problem (sort of) is that I like to work at room temperature
because I just don't have a lot of room now. Room temperature for me is
74F.

If it's possible, some description of how it will affect grain and contrast
is much appreciated.

Thanks again!