my first 8x10 ever is hanging to dry!

[JessicaDittmer]

had to share, was so excited. I tray processed - new to that and to 8x10. I don't have the proper clips for drying film this size as I'm use to 120 film but it is there and hanging. sorry for the crappy quick cell shot of it- dark - now I'll have to do a contact print (another first for me) but I don't have any papers yet ack! I think it looks okay though. the older boy is sharper focus even though it was f8 but using an 8x10 I'm sure it isn't the same as f8 on a med. format. This is the 9 1/2 lens I have.

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Congrats! I just started shooting 8x10 too. I processed my first sheet in a Beseler 8x10 drum. Then I washed it and photo-flo'ed it in a tray.

[Old-N-Feeble]

Jessica... Are you married? Just askin'...

[JessicaDittmer]

lol yes I am...since 1999. I have two boys 8 & 10 - they humor me by sitting for me. The neg looks great this a.m. all dry and now in a sleeve until I get some paper ordered here to do a contact print. I have another ready to process today too from yesterday - this one was f8 and the fast speed on my shutter is 1/50 - yikes. Not as much depth of field but the other I'll do today had f16. I was told now on the lg. format forum that f22 will be my sharpest setting for it.I'll keep experimenting and learn. mainecoonmaniac, how did it go in the drum? I found it tricky in the dark doing trays in the bathtub LOL - assume you don't have to be total dark once the film is in the drum?

[SuzanneR]

Congrats, Jessica. Can't wait to see your contact print.

[brucemuir]

Wow, 8x10. I applaude you!
That could be dangerous for me.
I've been toying with the idea and even have 10 sheets of some stuff I got long ago in the freezer.

F/8 will be shallow indeed, heck even f/16 if you didn't employ any camera movements.
What lens do you have Jessica?

[JessicaDittmer]

jim galli sold me a 9 1/2 lens which is a stretch for this camera - ideal would be a 12" but my max bellows on this is 19" so the one lens I had was more telephoto and I needed something for portraits, hands, etc. closer work. It is a wollensak and is f4.5 - 64 fastest shutter on the betax no.4 is 50. There isn't much movement to be had because of this lens. I'm on the lookout for another in 12" if I can afford it in the future here. I wanted to see what I can do with what I have.

[Mainecoonmaniac]

mainecoonmaniac, how did it go in the drum? I found it tricky in the dark doing trays in the bathtub LOL - assume you don't have to be total dark once the film is in the drum?

Yes it work in the light. I use a motorbase agitator too. I curl the film emulsion facing inside the drum like color paper. I prewet my neg first. I'm not sure if this is applicable to film, but for color printing, the Beseler drum uses as little as 1.5 oz of chemistry. The chemistry is thrown out after each print. But with 8x10 BW negs, I used replenished Xtol. I use 250ml per 8x10 neg and replenish the Xtol at a rate of 70mls per 80 sq inches of film. It works like a charm. The drums are available on Ebay for cheap. I've also processed (4) 8x10 negs inside a 16x20 drum. Have to be careful because the dividers can scratch the base side of the film.

[JessicaDittmer]

ah thanks! I'm going to keep at the tray thing for now and get good at it- create a routine for myself and keep it simple- I liked using the trays okay, just the fumbling in the dark was new and I'll get use to it LOL

[EASmithV]

Looks good! I also use Beseler drums for my 8x10 and 4x5 stuff...