Intro to Film Processing and the SP 445

This guide is for the novice who has never processed film and is diving in with 4x5. However, it is also useful for any old-timers that are new to the SP-445. Obviously, we can't teach you everything there is to know about processing large format film in a thirty five minute tutorial but we can get you started on the right path. If you follow the directions, you should end up with a usable negative when you're finished.
Sorry about the static in the last half of the video; not sure what happened to the microphone.
You can download the pdf version here: shop.stearmanp...
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[@michaelharmon721]

This the best tank I have used for processing my 4x5 film. I would like to see a tank that could do 8 sheets at a time.

[@timklein185]

Thanks for the kind words! We've looked at an 8 sheet tank (SP-845) but it gets big and awkward. In addition, the tooling would be expensive. We are seriously considering an SP-645, (six sheets). It could use the same lid and film holders as the SP-445 to keep the cost down. We'd just have to do the new tank and baffles.

[@michaelharmon721]

@@timklein185 keep me informed on the changes as I would be interested in testing out a 6 or 8 sheet holder. Mike

[@michaelnip9464]

My 4x5 arrived today from B&H. I ordered your SP445 because the circular tank system I use for 35mm film was not successful in two previous attempts. Thank you for pointing out the risk of using softened water for development. I will order distilled water in the future for my development to remove uncertainties from the entire process. I don’t have a fancy temperature controlled tank but I was able to use a Sous Vide stick to keep the water temperature constant. Thank you for inventing this simple but ingenious system.

[@timklein185]

Regarding temperature: shop.stearmanpress.com/blogs/news/you-dont-need-a-water-bath-and-other-heresy?_pos=2&_sid=b4bb1e4a1&_ss=r

[@jeffreygoldammer1741]

Good system, used it 3-4 times now and very happy with it. Watch the vids like this and it will be fine

[@garrisonliang678]

Thank you for taking time writing the user guide, and I did read it!

[@i3aluchi]

This was very helpful and interesting. I loaded some developed sheets to try the tank out. I was amazed how easy it was to load the film. Thank you for the tips.

[@nikchi]

Seeing you flinging the tank around for agitation versus others who are ginger with it slowly turning it is a big difference. I guess it all works.

[@timklein185]

Actually no! Slow agitation can lead to problems with uneven development and strange artifacts on the film. A quick inversion is best.

[@DFish111]

I've used an under-the-sink iSpring reverse osmosis system for years. Only costs a couple of hundred bucks up front, and then less than $50 a year in filter replacement. The filtered water is at ~8 ppm, which is pretty good! Saves money and plastic very quickly. You can also put a small box into a changing bag to gain some functional volume. Love the tank!!

[@RustyTube]

Oh, Tim, when you are shooting your videos, you need to record your voice as mono. Then when you are editing, just copy your voice from the mono recording to both, the left audio channel and the right audio channel.

[@toomanyhobbies8119]

Thanks for this video

[@danielemilazzo432]

Audio is only on the left channel.

[@danielemilazzo432]

Still waiting for the tank. Don’t know where it is. In Australia they haven’t found it yet. While usps says it’s in Sydney

[@unfotografodepelicula]

Hi Tim!!! the SP-445 is a great product!!! I posted a tutorial in spanish in my youtube channel so the latin comunity can get to know how to use it... thanks for your creations!!!

[@timklein185]

Thanks! We really appreciate you spreading the word.

[@michaelharmon7162]

Bought my tank and love it. Would like to know where I can get some replacement caps and a o ring.

[@timklein185]

We have a "top overhaul kit" on the website. (For those unfamiliar with aviation, a top overhaul is when they replace the rings and grind the valves on an aircraft engine; leaving the main bearings, crankshaft etc alone.) shop.stearmanpress.com/collections/photography/products/top-overhaul-kit-o-ring-and-two-caps

[@pmvult]

Thank You!

[@N1cah25]

Has anyone complained about the volume of this video? I have my vol all the way up in YT and on my speakers and I can barely hear the audio

[@timklein185]

Actually, no. Granted it's not perfect but it seems loud enough on my machine. Though we have upgraded our audio gear since this was made.

[@kimyee2010]

bought your 8x10, haven't had the chance to use it yet!

[@terrywbreedlove]

I have been using mine for years now. Looks like the film holders have been changed. Are these better in some way ? Mine work just fine but they are thinner looking.

[@timklein185]

It's a long story: shop.stearmanpress.com/blogs/news/and-the-film-holder-saga-continues-rev-4

[@terrywbreedlove]

@@timklein185 I see just improvements for manufacturing 👍🏻 all these years I still use my old ones and it works great. Easy to load film and hardly ever any leaks. Just keeps doing what it is supposed to do and I have put hundreds of sheets through it. 4 just last night and will do another four tonight. :)

[@timklein185]

@@terrywbreedlove would love to see some of your photos. www.flickr.com/groups/sp-445/

[@kennethhancock2433]

Why don’t you have a PT-17 tank?

[@thomaspopple2291]

Could you do a video developing 4x5 slide film with the sp 445? Wondering about agitation times and such.

[@timklein185]

Thomas, Haven't done E6 in a while. You just need to follow the directions for the chemistry you're using. I always followed the "hand tank" recommendations for agitation. Regards, Tim

[@thomaspopple2291]

@@timklein185 Thank you. Getting ready to try my hand at e6 and just doing as much research as u can before I try it.

[@timklein185]

@@thomaspopple2291 One comment: I liked to process at 85F rather than 104F. It's easier to control. Also, it's that average temperature that matters. I start my about 87F and by the end it's around 83, giving me that 85 degree average.

[@flipflopsLF]

Sorry, can give you only one like at a time. Thanks for sharing.

[@atta3562]

Someone need to fix this dude Tim (one of my fav youtubers) up with a fresh microphone

[@timklein185]

We've since invested in new mics! Just finishing up our new studio and should be making more videos soon. (Probably remake this one with the SP-645 Max!)

[@atta3562]

@@timklein185 Great!! Keep it up, Tim!

[@stephenryde78]

I cant agitate my tank like you do in the video. It leaks too much Yes the o ring is installed I watched the Squeeze Play video and will try that first I am one of those who do not read the instructions first 😁😁😁

[@timklein185]

Let us know if that doesn't fix it. Tim

[@stephenryde78]

@@timklein185 thanks Tim I will let you know

[@andreaspidde9694]

Very easy to use, excellent work. Also your manual is quite sufficient to those who already did some film developing. I tilted the tank over the small side while agitating the first time, this did work, however good to see how to do it right. And .. thanks for your 9x12 mod video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6CTeqJvmdJ3ncU also helped adapting 9x12 to the rev 4 holder.

[@jacovanlith5082]

How about SAFETY ? You wear gloves, you do not wear gloves and you wear gloves. Make up your mind, please. You must wear safety goggles while mixing the concentrate of the liquid with the water You should wear a white lab coat. .

[@yogid21]

Very nice item to develop your 4x5 film, but the price of this small plastic doesn't really justified its worth.

[@seanmolincreative]

You're not paying for plastic. You're paying for research, development, engineering, marketing, support, taxes, general overhead... just make your own if it's too expensive.

[@yogid21]

@@seanmolincreative For a plastic container you need RND? lol