Developing sheet film taco method

How I develop 9x12 cm sheet film from Voigtlander Avus or Fotokor camera

[@gabrielsilvaz4199]

Wow, that’s pretty cool! that seems like that’s the best taco method using those fashionable hair bands. It makes sense because the rubber bands are surrounded by a cloth material that will absorb the chemicals and help remove the anti-halation layer better than a solid rubber band. Very fashionable way of developing sheet film.

[@fotolookconde]

Being a photographer is all about creativity and finding good solutions!!!!

[@darensefcik9074]

Genius...I just tried this and all 3 sheets turned out perfect, thanks for showing this!

[@loverofnaturalbeauty]

Much easier than a Stearman 445 tank and it does not leak either. Many thanks for this, it will now be my method of choice.

[@fbasilhoff]

Great video. I have a 1928 Welta that I’ve been using a Graflex 23 film back to shoot 120 film and thought it would be cool to shoot large format film, but had no idea how to develop it. My search listed your video and the taco method. Very interesting and no additional cost for equipment as I already have what’s needed. Thanks, I’ll give it a try. Nice one take video, BTW.

[@8r4ham]

Genius!!!!! Ive been using the small Patterson tank with just one film at a time so this method is going to speed up my developing soooooooo! much and Im so glad I never bought the larger Patterson and that over priced MOD54. Thanks

[@ginkax]

Developing 4x5 on the go, the ultimate minimalist. Outstanding.

[@vladimirhadjiu9447]

Thanks for good idea, I’m going to try this method.

[@rocketmanpm]

For finer grain, use a flour tortilla.

[@davidspidell4270]

I have the baby brother to your camera. A Voigtlander Avus 6.5x9 cm. I hope this method works as well with the smaller sheets. I also hope to tray develop using Arista Ortho 3.0 Film using a red safe light. I'm still getting the camera sorted out. Thanks for the info.

[@RafaelFyen]

Awesome, I was about to spend a fortune (considering it just some cheap plastic) on one of those daylight tanks for smaller sheet film. This is genius dude, now I might invest in a 4x5 camera to play around with. Thank you :)

[@ginkax]

I've tried it and it work perfectly, thanks Kris.

[@jestintzi]

This is great, wish I'd seen this when I was thinking of getting into 4x5 (I've been doing my own thing on diy-ing in a 2 reel, but never have done 3 sheets!).

[@marjabeckers]

Thankx for the quick reply. I tried you method once and got some nice negs, so thnx

[@SergKosachev]

Great method! Thank you, dude!

[@riceboy890]

the hair tie review at the end cracked me up

[@cepwin]

Yes, that you Kris! I'm in the same boat as Mr. Drailmeyer was when he commented. This seems like a great alternative to tray development or getting a 3-reel tank and a expensive plastic insert.

[@adammarkowski790]

Thank you! Was a great help for me 👍👍👍

[@LeendertCordemans]

Great info. Thanks for that. Nice rewiew.

[@erikboon6549]

I managed to load 4 sheets of 9x12 in the same Paterson tank this way yesterday, it was a bit fiddly but the results turned out good!

[@2001Holger]

Immensely helpful. Thank you, just got a Crown Graphic and I don't see the point in spending a fortune on a sophisticated tank before I know if I like it. So I'll try your method first :)

[@libertyhappiness2031]

Great solution for enthusiast hobbyist. Concept of rolling and dropping in is similar to a Jobo Expert 10 sheet tank that costs $600. I'll buy the $2 hair bands and use my Patterson tank for my needs. claire's might have different variety of hair bands as an option. Thanks!

[@irmdrm]

thank you, that is very helpful!

[@carstenschmitt77]

Oh.My.God. This is so trivial, it's genius!! (Like most cool things are) I have a an old camera with a rare film format (quarter plate) and I was looking for some tank to do it. The big ones for 4x5 take a huge amount of chemicals, and I was worried that the holders would not hold the smaller film. This easy and I can use the equipment I already have... well, I will have to get some rubber bands, though! :-)

[@jpdados]

Great idea!

[@jdijkshoorn6975]

Thanks, works perfect! 👍

[@baumstanz]

Cool! I tried it with four tacos recently but one of them was in a bad position such that it didn't develop evenly. Three seems so be a good number!

[@beng5032]

Hi Kris Thanks for this tips! I actually used it over the weekend with 4x5inch film, it works perfectly, saving me lots of money in dedicated dev tank or so! Did not have any taco to celebrate though ;-)

[@malvinacarabas5768]

great vid ! Thank you.!

[@timtompkins6752]

Excellent! When I get around to trying this, I'm going to try and consume some of the empty space somehow to be able to keep my material use at 500ml. I use PMK Pyro developer and the 500ml is second nature standard for 120 typical film processing. (?)

[@bobwinberry]

Thanks! Great idea..

[@klausphotobaer5754]

great idea !

[@krisb8781]

Congrats on your Graflex. This is not my method, so I cannot take credit for it. I had heard of this way before, but there were no videos on youtube and only few pieces of info on the web. I am glad this video is helping.

[@krisb8781]

I am glad you found this video helpful. Thank you for watching and strop by for more and/or pass this on to your friends.

[@jerk4628]

Interesting method. I'm shooting 4x5. I like how the Mod54 will accept 6 sheets (this will only accept 3). That's a huge difference in time.

[@krisb8781]

Certainly, time plays a big role when you do more than three sheets, however, this was meant to take 9x12 cm sheets. I have not seen any 9x12 sheet processors.

[@like2view]

Ahh So.... Ruibber bands on the non_emulsion side!! I get it now! Very Cool. I've got a Patterson tank too... chuck from CC

[@ian0green]

thanks for the lesson

[@photomaster1]

Thank you for this, liked your images just a tad soft for me but hey I don't have what your using I just got into using a large format from the world of medium RZ67. Man, it is taking a bit of time to get all of the equipment, from film, lenses and film holders. The cost depends on how you shop and if you want to have a dark room too this is insane but I do love the process of making my own images. Again thank you for this, I know I'll be getting a larger tank but in the meantime I can make a Taco...

[@krisb8781]

Anthony, images were taken on 1920's voigtlander camera. The lens had some hazing, hence producing these soft images. Enjoy your tacos.

Thank you!!!

[@1973sonvis]

Great! 👍🏻

[@Zetaphotography]

I recently bought a 4x5 and was waiting to buy more stuff for developing. On a FB someone mentioned this method. You made it clear and easy. I think I will develop it tomorrow. Yuo said for your tank, you put in 800mL for a 9x12. What tank do you have? I have the 2 reel tank and wsa going to buy $90 for the PTP116 and MOD45. Thank you Kris.

[@krisb8781]

Hi. I used two reels Patterson tank.

[@samuellerman-hahn650]

I was taught that the emulsion is facing you if the code notch is on the upper right hand corner.

[@MrNpkellogg]

Samuel Lerman-Hahn you were taught correctly

[@dennismosercreativearts]

The code notch will be in the same "proper" relationship if it is in the lower right corner with the long axis on the horizontal axis or the upper right with the long axis on the vertical axis. So both orientations are correct, one is just vertical and the other horizontal. Hope that helps!

[@sonyagaskell6108]

THANKS!

[@krisb8781]

IF the Taco method is not working out for you, and you dont want to use trays the only other way for 4x5 are daylight tanks. Look them up on google and you will get few results. The only thing is that you are going to have to load the film into holders and that might require some practice. I only have a tutorial on how to develop BW 120 format.

[@OlivierSt]

I use a mod54 but film often pops out and get scratched. Sinc I also own a Paterson 4 that I use fot my 120 film, I can't wait to try this genius method. Ok, it is 3 shetts instead of 6 , but I really do prefer 3 good results instead of 6 scratched films! Any particuliar tips for agitation? Thanks a lot. Greatings from belgium

[@DwarakCalayampundi]

Hey Kris, Thanks for the demo I am new to film photography and was trying to find an easy way to develop BW film at home without the use of trays. Any chance you have a tutorial on processing the BW film I use 4x5 format...Thanks

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

Fantastic! I will definitely give it a try. I was wondering, once you start agitating the tank, won't the sheets move a bit too much with the risk of sitting on top of each other? Ot do you 'swirl' only? Thanks.

[@krisb8781]

Matteo Prezioso Just agitate gently. Don't do heavy metal agitation. Lol

[@krisb8781]

Check out how to develop film taco method.

[@berndrunde2203]

hi Kris, I tried this and it worked great! what I experienced however is a little line where the rubber band was. It looks like the anti curl gelatin layer sucked here. Did you see this as well?

[@krisb8781]

Hi. That usually happens with regular bands. If you use the cloth covered ones, you should be good.

[@Raindropsontheglass]

Does this work the same if you're developing color film? Also, I usually use the spool when I'm developing 35mm in my Paterson, so are you just rotating the tank by hand to agitate? Is it okay if the film touches each other? Such a cool hack!

[@krisb8781]

Hi. This is technically designed for sheet film and it will be ok if the band touches the other non emulsion side.

[@briantryon8518]

This is awesome. I did have an issue one batch had the band marks on a part of one of the negs and another had a band mark across the negative. All folded correctly emulsion side in. What could the issue be???

[@briantryon8518]

do the bands need to be black?

[@krisb8781]

Hi. Thanks for comenting. The issue could be caused by plain rubber bands. Use the one with fabric to soak up the chemicals. If you are already using these then i don't know maybe try different bands?

[@briantryon8518]

@@krisb8781 Cool, I did use the fabric kind, it may just be the type. Thanks for the quick comment. I just developed the film.

[@552312]

I just tried this method with foma100 9x12cm film. it worked well but there was just one problem: on the back side the antihalation layer wasn´t removed where the rubber band was. did anyone else had this problem and how did you solve it?

[@krisb8781]

Hi. Make sure to use rubber bands with cloth. Regular bands may cause issues

[@552312]

Kris Bochenek ah cool, you mean those for hair, right?

[@krisb8781]

@@552312 yes. Get the best ones

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

...One more question (I hope you won't mind,) what camera is the one you're using? Thanks p.s. Taco Method = outstanding success

[@krisb8781]

Matteo Prezioso i shot these frames on 9x12 Voigtlander Avus

[@MatteoPreziosoPH]

Thanks.

[@Garubolas]

Doesnt the rubber band leave any mark on the film while developing?

[@krisb8781]

no the rubber band touches the backside of the film.

[@Garubolas]

Kris Bochenek OK.When agitating dont the films move around and cause uneven development??

[@krisb8781]

+Garubolas not really 3 sheets sit rather snug in this Patterson tank.

[@EvanSkuthorpe]

On colour film, yes, all the time, even though the emulsion side is facing inwards, the rubber band causes markings, which means this method is next to useless. OK for B&W for some reason.

[@tmoo975]

I tried this method recently using HP5+ and markings were present afterward. They didn't show up on the scans but I'd rather they not be there at all. Getting an SP-445 tank instead.

[@marjabeckers]

Can I load the tank under red doka light?

[@krisb8781]

sorry but the film MUST be loaded in total darkness to prevent fogging. Any light will ruin the film.

[@sangrelac]

I’m wondering if I need to agitate the tank and if yes how many times a minute or should I agitate it continuously?

[@krisb8781]

Gentle agitation 2 or 3 times per minute

[@sangrelac]

Kris Bochenek Thanks!

[@sangrelac]

Kris Bochenek Also, do you presoak the negatives or you just pour the developer straight in the tank?

[@krisb8781]

@@sangrelac hi in 99% cases I do not presoak. In rare cases I do is for old negatives I try to develop.

[@sangrelac]

Kris Bochenek Okay, thanks!

[@chasehastings7115]

Where can I find film like this? I have a Dresden a21 and can't find it anywhere

[@krisb8781]

9x12 film is available from Freestyle photo. They have limited emulsion types, but it's better than nothing. Good luck.

[@craigfouche]

Adox CHS 100 II make in various sizes including 9x12. www.fotoimpex.com/films/adox-chs-100-ii-9x12-cm-355x472-inch-25-sheets.html

[@Zetaphotography]

Dont try this. I have rubber band marks all on my negatives. I shot a whole box of Fuji Slide.

[@davidkachel]

They are called "film holders", not cassettes. They have been called that for nearly 200 years so, NO, you cannot call them whatever you want. And, NO, the notches need to be in the upper right corner, NOT the lower right corner. And, NO, you cannot put anything in close proximity to the surface of the film if you do not want development ruined by eddies formed by that object. This includes highly scientific hair scrunchies. Surprisingly, many, many volumes have been written on the subject of film development over the last couple of centuries. Try reading one.

[@krisb8781]

WOW stay jolly mate. So I have been loading film upside down all this time and yet managed to produce images on them. Hmm. Thank you, I will still call them cassettes because who is going to stop me?

[@davypaul8612]

The meaning of words can change over time. Language is always evolving. Also, the notches were just in the lower right corner because he was holding them in landscape mode.