DEVELOPING TANK

DEVELOPING TANK INSTRUCTIONS AGITATOR-ROD - ­.....~
THERMOMETER COVER~~_
TANK
TANK
COVER
AGITATOR-ROD THERMOMETER
EQUIPMENT
In addition to the deve loping tank, you will need the following
items : 16 oz graduate, plastic funnel, stirring rod , sponge,
and film c lips .
SETIING UP
The kitchen is a good place for film developing (if you don't
have a darkroom) . Cover the sink drainboard, or other sur­
face selected for w..QLk, with several layers of newspaper.
Check the temperature of the processing solutions with the
agitator-rod thermometer ':' supplied with your GAF Develop­
ing Tank; the temperature of the solutions should be 68F
(20C). For an accurate reading , give the thermometer time
to reach the temperature of the solution.
*
Check your thermometer; if the spirit-line indicating the
temperature has separated (due to vibration during shipment),
rejoin it by shaking the thermometer as you would a fever·
thermometer.
If the solutions are too warm, set them in a tray of cold water
until they cool off; if they are too cold, use warm water. When
the solutions have reached the desired (68F) temperature,
fill the tray with 6 8 F water to keep the solutions ready for use .
If you don't have a tray, use the kitchen sink . Keep the water
level in the sink low; the bottles should not be immersed be·
cause water may seep in and dilute the solutions.
ADJUSTING THE REEL
three positions, indicated by click-stops_ The reel is adjusted
for 120 and 620-size films when the top of the transparent
flange is flush with the top of the reel -core_ When the trans­
parent flange is moved one notch toward the black flange
(Fig _ 1), the reel is adjusted for 127-size film _ When the
transparent flange is moved down as far as it will go, the reel
is adjusted for 35mm, 828, and 126-size films_
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LOADING THE FILM
The film must be loaded in complete darkness _ If you don't
have a darkroom, use a closet at night, or an inexpensive
"changing bag" (sold in camera stores)_
Be sure that the room or closet in which you load the tank is
completely dark_ Stay there at least f ive minutes before you
open the film, to let your eyes get used to the darkness_
The reel must be CLEAN and DRY_ The corners of the film
that enter the grooves of the reel shou Id be rounded off
slightly_ Cut off the tapered leader of 35mm films between
perforations_
To open a 35mm magazine (in the dark), rap sharply the pro­
truding end of the spool on a hard surface_ The opposite end­
cap of the magazine will pop off, allowing the removal of the ·
spool with the film . Leave the film on the spool; it is now
ready for loading . Use care to keep the film perpendicular, not
permitting it to swing back and forth, like a pendulum_
With roll films, only the seal has to be broken and the protec­
tive paper wound off until the film is reached. Peel away the
paper from the film , cutting free the end that is attached to
the paper.
With 126-size (instant-loading type) cartridges, remove the
film by breaking the cartridge apart; the film is then handled
as a roll film.
HAN DLE TH E FI LM BY THE EDGES ONLY;
touching the emulsion-side may leave permanent marks. Insert three or four inches of film into the reel by pushing it through the entrance slots (at the thickest part of the flanges), as shown in Fig. 2_ 2
Take hold of the edges of the reel. The clear flange is in the
left hand, the black flange is in the right. Twist the black
flange forward (away from you), as far as it will go, then twist
it back (toward you), as far as it will go (Fig. 3)_ Repeat this
until all of the film is wound on the reel.
When you load a 35mm film , it will stop when the spool
reaches the entrance. Cut the film at the edge of the spool
and continue winding.
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Two slight clicks are heard when the end of the film passes
the entrance. Make sure that all of the film is wound on the
reel by running your finger around it; the edge you feel should
be past the entrance (your finger will not mark the film, since
the emulsion is inside).
If the film does not go on the reel smoothly, do not force it.
Pull off the adjustable flange, remove the film, and start to
load it again. Do not attempt to pull the film back through the
film entrance.
Place the loaded reel in the tank (with the clear flange on top).
Put on the cover; lock it by turning it clockwise. The room light
may now be turned on.
NOTE: The GAF Developing Tank has a truly "easy­
loading" reel. To make sure that loading will be as
smooth as it can be, remember the following points:
1. The
end of the film that enters the reel should have
slightly rounded corners. On 35mm films, cut off the
tapered leader between perforations, not through the
holes.
2. The reel
must be perfectly dry. If you must develop more
than one roll of film, it is better to use a separate reel for
each roll (additional reels may be purchased at your
dealer). Even small droplets of water (not visible in the
grooves) may interfere with the smooth loading of the
film (this is true of all reel-type plastic tanks).
3. Chemical
residue should not be allowed to accumulate
on the clips, in the grooves and under the rollers. It is
important to clean them with warm water (not hot) after
each use. Clean the entire length of the groove in each
flange with cotton wrapped around the tip of a toothpick.
Pay special attention to the part under the roller, and to
the roller itself.
4. Do NOT use hot water to clean your tank or reel, and do
not store it near a radiator or other source of heat. Tem­
peratures over 140F (60C) may damage the plastic. A
heat-damaged reel is difficult to load.
PROCESSING The following GAF lab"Oratory-tested chemicals are-,eCOnT­ mended: HYFINOL®-L fine grain, high acutance developer and GAF Acid Fixer with Hardener. Pour the required amount of developer into the graduate, according to the following table:
Film size
120,620
127
35mm, 126. 828
Required amount of
solution
160z
120z
90z
I flruugfl rfle uiJemng In rne cenrer OT tne cover, pour rne
developer from the graduate into the tank, as fast as the tank
will take the solution. As
soon as the developer is in
the tank, insert the agitator­
rod and turn it back and
forth briskly, 5 or 6 times
(Fig . 4); then pick up the
ta n k (without ti Iti ng it) and
rap it sharply against the
newspaper covered working
surface to dislodge the air
bubbles adhering to the
film. Agitate for about five
seconds during each half
minute by turning the agita­
tor-rod back and forth.
Develop for the time rec­
ommended for the film/de­
veloper/temperature com­
bination you use.
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While the film is being
developed, rinse out the
graduate and fill it with the
required amount of short­
stop. If you do not use a
shortstop, fill the graduate
with the fixer.
When developing is com­
pleted, pour the developer
through a funnel back into
its bottle. Pour the short­
stop Into the tank and agi­
tate continuously for about
5·10 seconds, then pour it
back into the bottle.
The shortstop may be prepared by adding
acetic acid to 16 oz of water. %
oz of 28%
If you do not use shortstop, fill the tank with about 68F water, agitate for about 5 -10 seconds, then pour out the water . Pour in the fixer (Fig . 5) . Agitate frequently during fixing . Fix for the time recommended in the instructions supplied with the film and/or the fixer, then pour the fixer back into its bottle. The cover of the tank can now be removed . Wash the film for at least 1/2 hour with water (at about 68F)
running into the hole at the center of the reel (Fig. 6) .
When washing is completed, take off the top (clear) flange,
attach a film clip to the end and lift the film off the reel
(Fig. 7) .
With a wet, squeezed ­
out photographic viscose
sponge (a soft sponge sold
in photo supply stores) wipe
both sides of the film, very
gently, to remove excess
water. As an alternative, you
may dip the film into a solu ­
tion of GAF® Wetting Agent,
and hang it up to dry with ­
out wiping . Follow the in­
structions on the wetting­
agent bottle.
Attach a film clip to the
other end of the film and
hang it up i n a dust-free
place to dry.
When dry, cut the film into
; ,
-
_ •• _ ............ ....,
_ . ..... ...., ..... t:> ................... .
bubbles adhering to the
film. Agitate for about five
seconds during each half
minute by turning the agita­
tor·rod back and forth.
Develop for the time rec·
ommended for the film/de·
veloper /temperature com·
bination you use.
While the film is being
developed , rinse out the
graduate and fill it with the
required amount of short·
stop. If you do not use a
shortstop , fill the graduate
with the fixer .
When developing is com·
pleted, pour the developer
through a funnel back into
its bottle. Pour the short·
stop into the tank and agio
tate continuously for about
5·10 seconds, then pour it
back into the bottle.
The shortstop may be prepared by adding
acetic acid to 16 oz of water.
%
oz of 28%
If you do not use shortstop, fill the tank with about 68F water,
agitate for about 5·10 seconds, then pour out the water.
Pour in the fixer (Fig. 5). Agitate frequently during fixing. Fix
for the time recommended in the instructions supplied with
the film and/or the fixer, then pour the fixer back into its
bottle . The cover of the tank can now be removed.
Wash the film for at least V2 hour with water (at about 68F)
running into the hole at the center of the reel (Fig . 6).
When washing is completed, take off the top (clear) flange,
attach a film clip to the end and lift the film off the reel
(Fig. 7).
With a wet, squeezed­
out photographic viscose
sponge (a soft sponge sold
in photo supply stores) wipe
both sides of the film, very
gently, to remove excess
water. As an alternative, you
may dip the film into a solu·
tion of GAF® Wetting Agent,
and hang it up to dry with·
out wiping. Follow the in ·
structions on the wetting·
agent bottle.
Attach a film clip to the
other end of the film and
hang it up in a dust·free
place to dry.
When dry, cut the film into
conven ient lengths and
store the strips in protec ·
tive glassine envelopes.
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You may also process GAF® Color
Slide Films. using the 16 ounce
GAF® Color Slide Film Processing
Outfit. Detailed instructions are
packed with the chemicals .
GAF Co rp ora tio n
140 West 51 St reet . N ew York. N .Y. 10020
Made and printed in USA
..
C-12053-10
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