Gast
Does anyone have experience comparing Efke KB25 and KB50 using rotary and tilt-and-turn processing? Are the differences significant?
Best regards,
Jean-Michel
Gast
Hi, but I can only speak for sheet films here. Even though I alternate the direction of rotation (CPE 2 Plus), I still get streaks at the edges. It’s particularly noticeable on uniform surfaces. That’s the only difference I’ve noticed. Rotation is simply more convenient and requires less chemical. For that reason, I’m not giving up my Jobo processor.
Kind regards,
Micha
Gast
Micha,
Where do you develop your films?
Do you notice any difference in grain and sharpness compared to tilt development?
Best regards,
Jean-Michel
Gast
Developed in Tetenal Ultrafin Liquid and F09
I can’t comment on the quality or sharpness, as I don’t have a magnifying glass. With sheet films, you can’t see any difference in the print anyway. But the streaks are only at the edge, which is usually cropped out anyway. I use a rotary developer because it’s just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll much more relaxed. Provided you have the right lift and a timer, development really isn’t a chore anymore. I’ve even got to the point where I develop regardless of whether the can is full or not (max 6 films). It’s just not a hassle anymore and my back doesn’t hurt from leaning over the bath either.
Rotate!!!
Micha
Urnes
Hello,
Regarding Micha’s article, it’s worth noting that he is, of course, using the large Jobo. With 35mm or roll film in the small 1500-size canister, things are a bit different. When spinning, you occasionally get problems with dark, undeveloped streaks along the outer edge. What’s more, liquid always seeps out through the lid at the edge. That’s not ideal either. I’m currently experimenting to see if I can work at a lower speed with the small tins (the old processors still had two different settings). The result was better: less liquid seeping out and fewer dark rings, but instead a streak running through an entire frame in one spot and an undeveloped area above it. I couldn’t say why, though. In any case, I’ve now treated myself to two 35mm spirals for the large tins on eBay. I reckon that’ll work better. As for the Efke and the grain, I can’t really comment, as I use Ilford’s Delta. But rotation is a brilliant thing in itself.
Regards, Sven.
micha
Hi Sven
You’re right, of course. I’ll use the large tanks. But I’ve still got two spirals left over that are suitable for 35mm and medium format. Oh, and I’ve also dug out my old 35mm films. I’ve already had a look at them and couldn’t spot any defects or differences. But I’m not examining them with a magnifying glass either. I’m trying to work towards a wide range of grey tones and nice differentiation when enlarging. If the grain is a bit coarser, that’s not such a big deal. But as I said, I couldn’t spot any difference. Switch to medium format and you’ll have much more fun, and above all, that stress when enlarging is gone. And the bloody stress of trying to get a fine grain 35mm negative just right is over. I never fancied racking my brains over it. Oh, better still, switch straight to medium format – then you’ll have a lovely optical bench and your pictures will look much smarter straight away. AND NO GRAIN!!!
MIcha
Urnes
Hi Micha,
I’ll give it another go this evening. You didn’t need a magnifying glass to see the dark spots I had on the film. It must have been the last few turns of the film. So I’ll try using a higher speed again today.
Of course, you’re right about the MF vs GF debate. If I have the time and the chance to take a bit more kit with me, I’ll certainly do that. Most of the time, though, I need to take quick shots in low light, for press releases or presentations. And that’s just easier with 35mm. Although I still fondly remember that wildly chaotic children’s birthday party in the woods, where I was jumping around with my Mamiya and light meter. What I still haven’t tried, however, is using the Linhof handheld; action photography in large format could work well. But at the moment, I’m a bit short on time and a clear concept for that.
Regards, Sven.
Gast
Hi Sven,
I got two brand-new sets of flat film today. They even came with the exposure templates. Up until now, I’ve always done the development without the templates. I’ve already run four Efkes through the process – and lo and behold, no over-exposed areas at the edges. I’m still a bit sceptical, though. We’ll see when I do the development on the next films.
So I won’t be developing anything without my Jobetimer and processor anymore. Having a coffee is much nicer than constantly fiddling about.
Micha
micha
What a lovely day yesterday was!!
So I took my Sinar out and got stuck into taking photos. And when I got home, completely knackered, there were 16 sheet films waiting to be developed. I tell you, without my processor, I wouldn’t have got much done. Three runs and everything was done, and in the meantime I’d managed to eat, vacuum and do the washing up. That’s something to be proud of. And my back doesn’t hurt either!!!
Greetings from the whirling Micha
