2. How to Use the BTZS 4x5 Film Tube Kit - Part 1

[viewcamerastore]

Hi jackspeakpark - Thanks. Any questions please email or call me.

[jackspeakpark]

I bought an 8x10 tube, which works fine. I will purchase a set now.

[avishekaiyar]

How do you control temperature of the developer when in the tubes?

[viewcamerastore]

@avishekaiyar - First - use a temperature that is easy to maintain in your darkroom. In Arizona I process my film at 75 degrees. You can put a thermometer in your tube rack to keep track of the water bath that the tubes float in and keep a graduate with either hot water or ice cubes and if the temperature varies add a little at a time. There is no magic developing temperature such as 68 deg- do your testing at a temperature that is easy to maintain.

Fred

[viewcamerastore]

Hi Stradibarrius - I use my print viewing light when I'm using the BTZS tubes. It's 75 watt and there is no problem. The lighting used for the video was much brighter than normal. Whenever I've done a BTZS Workshop and the student using the BTZS tubes is a bit skeptical, but after the first time they see it works just fine.

Fred

[Stradibarrius]

Fred, this question has been asked once but I didn't see the answer. Is it safe to leave the tubes uncapped with the room light on when you place them in the stop? Is the film light safe after developing?

[calpurniuspeso]

How are you able to open the tube immediately after dev and go to the stop bath without exposing the film to the ambient light? Am I supposed to assume that you are working in the presence of a safe-light when opening the tubes? Anyone watching the video can easily mis the part where you say, "I'm tuning off the lights to switch the caps".  The Video appears to to taped in std Room Light.

If stainless steel Film Dev tank caps have a light barrier why not design them for the BTZS Tubes?

[rodaguileraBR]

I've just used mine today. It's really easy if you follow the instructions. the only complaint is that in most of the negatives revealed today appeared in fine scratches on the gelatin film. I think it was when I put the films or took them off the tube. It may also be in the fixer tray. Well, next time I'll be more careful.

[viewcamerastore]

@rodaguileraBR - Hi - your problem is probably in the fixer tray, since the scratches are on the emulsion side of the film.

We had problems with scratching in our BTZS workshops when the students used trays for fixing and washing. We switched to tanks with film hangers for both fixing and washing and that seemed to eliminate the problems.

Fred Newman

[koenbro]

Is there a mechanical way to ensure spinning?

[ncyonder]

Dmitri... lol... how random.  That's great! Check to see who is paying attention.

[Garubolas]

is the developer reusable after the spinning or do you discard it? Since the film is placed emulsion side out, will the back of the film attached to the tube wall remain undeveloped? will this affec the quality of the negative?

[viewcamerastore]

The developer is only used once. The film is placed in the tube with the emulsion side in (toward the tube center). There is a dye on the back of the film that needs to be removed which is why the fixing is done in a tray rather than in the tube. Fred

[yurui0yr]

i'm going to buy these tubes at ur store soon!

[yurui0yr]

thank you for the video! very helpful