Re: plastic tanks??

[eml@xxxxxxxxx]

Kathy,

The caution about certain "plastic" tanks refers to some tanks made
in the late '30's through the early '50's in which the black coloration
added to the transparent or translucent raw resin was not opaque to IR
light but was absolutely opaque to visible light.  AThis has not been
the case with any tank that I have ever used, including ancient
Bakelite tanks from the 40's, so I have never seen the phenomenon
ever.  

Were I you, I would forget this admittedly factual story and just avoid
processing my IR film in absolutely ancient tanks with either no brand
name ornames you never heard of before, bought at yard sales.  All
tanks made by reputable manufacturers many years ago (Agfa, Zeiss-Ikon,
Kodak, Leitz, Premier, Fink&Roslieve, etc.) will work with IR films.
I have developed HIE in both my 1948 F&R Bakelite sheetfilm tanks and my
similarly aged Kodacraft tank without a hint of trouble.

I currently use Patterson System 4 stuff bought over the last 25 years,
interchangeablwe with some Premier and Yankee sruff that looks to
be made from old Patterson molds.  They are fine tanks for all general
processing, and some of my "automatic" reels are feeding film fine after
25 years of amateur use.  Good stuff!  Don't worry!

Regards,
Ed Lukacs
Washington, DC

> 
> hi.  i develop my b&w film in a plastic Paterson System4 tank.  in her 
> "Infrared Photography Handbook," Laurie White warns against developing 
> IR film in a plastic tank, stating that "plastic ones may not protect 
> your negative from infrared radiation and exposure."   
>  
> anyone have experience developing IR in a Paterson tank?  is it safe, 
> or do i need to buy a stainless steel model? 
>  
> thanks. 
>  
> Kathy Hand 
> kathyhand@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 


- -- 
    _/_/_/_/ _/_/    _/ _/   | Edward M. Lukacs 
   _/       _/ _/ _/_/ _/    | eml@xxxxxxxxx 
  _/_/_/   _/  _/  _/ _/     | 3850 Tunlaw Road, NW, Apt. 815 
 _/       _/      _/ _/      | Washington, DC 20007
_/_/_/_/ _/      _/ _/_/_/_/ | Telephone: 202-338-1489

*
****
*******
******************************************************
*  To remove yourself from this list, send:          *
*         UNSUBSCRIBE INFRARED                       *
*       to                                           *
*         MAJORDOMO@xxxxx                            *
*----------------------------------------------------*
*   For the IR-FAQ, IR-Gallery and heaps of links:   *
*  http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm  *
******************************************************

------------------------------