|
Notes and instructions regarding rewind cine film processing
using Doran or Morse G-3 tanks.
by Martin W Baumgarten, 2001
Have you ever processed any film before, such as 35mm still film? If so, you
already have the rudiments of processing methodoligy. This is for using the
REWIND TANK (Morse G-3, Doran G-3 or equivalent). Rewind processing would allow
you to process up to two Super 8mm 50ft cartridges at the same time. The
DRAWBACK with rewind processing is the much longer processing times required and
the effort of having to continually wind the film from reel to reel. Two of the
BENEFITS, are the reduced amount of space in the darkroom required, and the
smaller amount of chemicals needed.
You WILL ALSO NEED a way to DRY your film, preferably a Film Drying Rack. You
can make one yourself by using quarter-round, inch diameter wood dowels, four of
them screwed into each end of two crossed wood slats. Secure the two slats for
each end by drilling a small hole into the center of each slat to allow for a
long bolt with two nuts to secure the slats in a crossed position. The bolts
will protrude from each end of the drying rack so that you can rest it on some
sort of stand that you can make. Once the rack is on a stand it can be turned/rotated
so to ease loading and unloading of the film. There are some other ways to dry
your film, but I prefer the drying rack method since it was used by
professionals years ago, and is much safer and secure for the film. But, if not
available, you can dry your film by looping it around a vinyl rope or two ropes
hung in a dust-free environment (perhaps the bathtub/showerstall area). Loop the
film around this by unraveling as you go from one of the reels from your rewind
processor, making SURE that the base side is down and the emulsion side is
facing upwards so it doesn't come in contact with anything.
The film is secured by folding an inch of the film end over a rubber band and
then stapling it. The rubberband is inserted into a G-shaped large paper clip
which will allow it to hang onto one of the Film Drying Rack dowels; and then
again at the end of the film. If drying two rolls, connect them together by
stapling them at their respective tail/head ends, if not done so already. Using
the rewind tank, you've already done this to attach them together while loading
into the tank when you were in the dark.
Each slat is made with wood about 1/4inch Thick, 1/&1/2 inches Wide, and about
16 inches in Length. The dowels are made either with circular 1 inch dowel wood
or with quarter half sections (cost less and are lighter) that are about 2ft in
length. This will hold up to 100ft of 16mm, 100ft of Double Super 8mm, 100-200ft
of Super 8mm, 100ft of Double Regular 8mm, and about 100ft of 9.5mm films. One
of the dowels can be secured to the slats with the hole drilled off center at an
eccentric. This will allow that one dowel to swivel slightly thus tensioning or
detensioning the film while hanging, and while drying, to adjust for film
shrinkage as it dries. The rubber bands help compensate for film shrinkage also.
Some have stated that they didn't receive good results while using the rewind
tank. If you followed the procedures for the tank and used the correct chemistry,
you should've had excellent results. Chemistry that is designed for spiral reel
processing is Not Recommended for rewind processing, although it might still
work fine with some adjustments, such as increasing the bleaching time by 5
minutes or so. It isn't intended to be in contact with the film for the
incredibly longer periods of processing time required...but I have received fine
results and so have others. You'll have to conduct your own tests. I DO NOT
recommend using rewind processing for any type of Color Processing, but it is
possible to do so with fair results if you do it carefully). For Color Films, it
is best to use either a Spiral Reel or Rack & Tray method; full immersion method.
Martin W. Baumgarten © 2001
Plattsburgh Photographic Services
http://www.8mm.filmshooting.com/thelab/processing.php
|