Developing Tanks

Description

This section is from the book "Complete Self-Instructing Library Of Practical Photography", by J. B. Schriever. Also available from Amazon: Complete Self-Instructing Library Of Practical Photography.

Developing Tanks

511. Description Of Developing Tank

Description Of Developing Tank. These tanks are generally made of brass, nickel plated or zinc, strongly built, and with little care will last many years. The following illustrations are of the Ingento developing tank: Each tank is supplied with a grooved rack. The rack is arranged for different size plates, and is made to fit inside of the tank, and can be raised or lowered in the bath. In this way the plates can be examined while developing, without placing the fingers in the developer. The tanks are made in five sizes, as follows : -

No. I,	for six 3 1/4 x4 1/4 plates, or twelve if placed back to back.
No. 2,	for six 4x5 plates, or twelve if placed back to back.
No. 3,	for six 5x7 plates, or twelve if placed back to back.
No. 4,	for six 61/2 x 8 1/2 plates, or twelve if placed back to back.
No. 5,	for six 8x 10 plates, or twelve if placed back to back.

Tanks Nos. 1 and 2 require only twenty-eight ounces of developer; larger sizes a proportionate amount.

512. Style "A" Developing Tank. - In illustration No. 15, we show the developing tank ready to receive the developer. These tanks are made in two grades. Style A is strongly made of brass, nickel plated, and fitted with a removable rack, with wide grooves to hold the plates separate and in a vertical position. Tanks of this style can be used for developing, fixing and washing. The developer can be poured off and sufficient hypo solution poured in to fill the tank. After the plates are fixed, the hypo solution can be poured off, and the tank then used as a washing box, by allowing the water to enter through the funnel. In this way the water will thoroughly eliminate the hypo from negatives and tank simultaneously. Additional new sizes of style A developing tank are made as follows: 31/4 x 5 1/2 and 4 1/4 x 6 1/2.

513. Style "B" Developing Tank. - The style B, see illustration No. 16, is made of heavy zinc, fitted with wide grooves which extend from the top downwards, and with the patent lifting bottom, which allows the negatives to be removed without dipping the fingers in the solution. The style B tank can be used for washing, as well as developing, in the same way as described in style A, hut cannot be used for fixing, as zinc will gradually disentegrate under the action of a hypo solution. Where style B is used an extra fixing tank must be employed.