HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Very good product , very convenient

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I have two of these tanks, bought a few years apart. Their orange parts break very easily; even when brand new (out of the box) one tank leaked chemicals when turned upside down. Great idea, poor execution. Only worth buying because there is no real alternative.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Detailed instructions, easy to set-up.

I use this tank to process black-and-white sheet film in my basement darkroom. Still uses 36-ounces of chemistry to fill the tank,which is a bit of an awkward amount to measure and mix.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Easy to set-up and use. Follow the instructions, especially about the recommended amount of developer for particular film size. And do not try to use the tank without film retaining clip, otherwise you'll get a strip of undeveloped film. Once used properly, it is easy to use and gives very consistent results with evenly developed negatives that can be washed thoroughly with no scratches. Also, it is easy to control the temperature of the process within a tight range. Only objection: it is not completely light-tight and filling up with developer should be preferably done in dark or very dim light.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I bought this when I (finally) got into LF photography.
I've only just started developing my own, so don't yet have a darkroom set up, but have been using a light tent with this unit.
I guess with a little more practice, this might be feasible, but the first few attempts did not go well.
There just isn't enough room to unload film holders, have the lid to the side, and not knock off the film guides before you're ready to load the film.
Maybe not trying to maximize (fewer film holders) might help.
I definately think that in a darkroom, with everything laid out on a counter top, things would be much easier.
All that aside, once the film is loaded, it works wonderfully.
I've read where others have problems with leaks when inverting, and others think pouring the chemicals is too slow, but honestly, didn't find these to be an issue.
All in all, I think for the money, it's a good system if (like me) you're on a budget.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

This is my first sheet film developing tank, and I purchased it because I wanted the control and cost savings of doing my own B&W processing as I got into larger format photography.

I've found the tank to work fairly well now that I've adjusted. For somebody used to loading reels in a Patterson tank, this was a bit more involved. There are more pieces to the rig and more actions to get used to in the dark of a changing bag (as in my case).

I have so far used the tank three times, and now feel comfortable loading the film into the bracket, with or without the loading guides. The tank is compact enough that it doesn't actually take up too much space in my changing bag, either. My negatives have all come out at least as well as I expected, and I haven't really had much trouble using it with a few exceptions:

1. The lid can be a little leaky sometimes, particularly toward the end of the developing process, right when I'm inverting with stinky fixer in the tank. I repeatedly check the seal on the lid to make sure I haven't pulled it up a bit, but it's just dripping a little bit, probably because it's simply a firm rubber lid pulled over the rim of the tank.

2. The top spout is a bit tricky. You're supposed to open it a half turn so you can vent when you pour in chemicals, but if it gets wet it's not so easy to twist with your hands. Additionally, it gets progressively slower pouring in chemicals through the funnel as moisture gets in between the gasket and the lid. I find I have to shift around the funnel to get it to drain into the tank faster once I get to the stop bath and fixer.

I've had good results, and I'm comfortable using the tank now, but I wish it didn't leak that much and was quicker to fill with my chemistry.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Prior to using this tank I have been developing my 4x5 film by hand in trays and I am loving the results! Some have told me that they get streaking when they use the tank but I have not hand any problems with that. My negatives generally turn out scratch free and in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend using this tank for anyone looking into and easy way to process both black and white and color 4x5 negatives.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I use the HP Combi Tank for my 4x5 B/W development with Diafine and I find it very easy to load film in my dark tent. I only do up to 6 sheets and would not recommend to double up on B/W as indicated by some. I went to Home-Depot and bought a 4 foot 3/4" tube and fitting to connect to my kitchen faucet. I connected the hose to the bottom plug for my rinse cycle. It pushes the water up from the bottom and I find this to be very effective and reliable. I don't use the film guides to load my sheets. Highly recommended if you are doing 4x5 sheet film.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

This is to my knowledge the only daylight developing tank for 4x5 sheet film and for that same reason it is more or less indispensable. It is well constructed and really compact, but it is very slow to fill and this has to be taken into account with developing times. If you use Diafine the thing becomes much easier and convenient to handle.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I just received my Combi-Plan tank and used it successfully. Yes, it does leak a little, as do most daylight tanks, but that's understandable. I found the filling and emptying times were fine, considering the volume of chemistry used. Most importantly, I got nice, even development.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

You'll read negative comments on-line about the HP Combi's slow-fill and leakage issues, and without exercising a bit more care than is convenient these problems will appear. But I've gotten very good, consistent results with the system, and the alternatives are unattractive: prohibitively expensive Jobo systems, multiple tubes, or blind tray development. This is a practical and relatively cheap alternative. Be sure to seal the lid, and pour carefully. It works.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Overall, I am happy that this tank exists. It is a daylight, invertable tank for 4x5 and smaller cut film. There are no other reasonably priced options.

That being said: The vent may leak and you will probably get chemistry on your hands while draining.

Once you get the hang of it, loading is quick and it works pretty well. Being extra careful while loading film is essential. If you cross load (the film is in two different positions) you will end up with two pieces touching. Count on both sides, to ensure that you have the film properly aligned.

Also, agitation works best if you use the recommended amounts of liquid (which is less than overflowing the tank).

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I agree with most of the things people are saying about this product and would like to reaffirm a few and add some of my experiences. My particular tank does seem to fit together quite as it should - when I tighten up the screws on the ends which hold the film holder together, the frame is not quite rigid as it should be - it wobbles a little bit. As a result of this, if you agitate and invert the tank to vigorously while developing, the film can pop out of the holder and get BRUTALLY scratched by all of the (very) sharp edges of the film holder. However, I have been successful since that disaster, just as long as I invert the tank VERY gently and slowly. Another *quality control* issue that I've noticed with this product is that the lid doesn't quite hold the liquid in completely, no matter how much you force the lid on. I've had this problem with other tanks to, so this is common among daylight tanks, but is still frustrating since I still have to develop my film over the bathtub and not sitting on the couch (where I'd rather be). I also must complain about the size of the spouts - they do take to long to get liquids in and out, but again this is not a problem if you use diluted developers, so it's just an annoyance really.

If you're a patient person (you should be if you're shooting 4x5) then this tank is probably all you need, but if you hear about a better one, I would advise trying that out and letting us all know about it here. I would have liked a little bit more quality from a product of this price.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I have been using the HP Combi for about 7 years now and have found this to be a very easy, relatively neat, and consistent system. I am not a professional, so I am not running dozens upon dozens of sheets through per week. I shoot all formats from 35mm to 4 x 5 and developing film is my least favorite activity. With the HP Combi, I get consistent results and I can keep the lights on so I can see what I am doing and use a better timer. The lid can leak a little bit, so keep a towel handy or wear gloves (but if you use a liter of liquid, there is still plenty remaining). Also I broke the retaining clip, but it is still usable. I use T-max film and develop in XTOL. I found I got better results with a plain water stop bath (no pinholes in the film!). Try practicing with no film and plain water for awhile to get used to the amount of time it takes to fill/empty the container. Washing the film is very easy! The failures I have had can be pinned more on me than the equipment. Loading film in the dark is less of a hassle than the metal reels for 35 or 120! I hope HP keeps making these!

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I have been using this system for a few months now to develop 4x5 B&W negatives. This is the only system I know and cannot compare it to others. I do not have a darkroom.

When I first opened the box, I was a bit worried by the amount of small plastic parts, but they all fit together well and in one possible way only. Some edges and ends should have been rounded a bit although those that are in contact with the film are. I use a bag to load my negatives, so I am extra careful.

The system does the job of course but with one major caveat: The intake and the drain openings are small, the caps and air valve a bit awkward so it takes too long to fill and empty the tank. Of course you can deduct the time it takes from your developing time and by emptying the tank upside down, you will even out the time your negatives spend in the developer. Maybe. I say this because the necessary manipulations to close or open the intake and the drain, to fit the funnel and to open or close the (difficult to grab) air valve, will take a varied amount of time unless you are very well rehearsed.

In any event, when it comes to the stop bath the top of the negatives are submerged some 20 seconds later than the bottom and there is no way to avoid that. I think that this matters when using very short developing time such as when using undiluted stock in warmer temperature.

I would like to suggest to HP larger intake and drain openings with larger stoppers (with a short coarse thread to easily secure the caps on?) and a larger ring on the intake valve. Then this would be a great little system worth what it is selling for now.

The manufacturer says that negatives can be developed back to back. I tried this with a disastrous result (The chemicals invaded irregularly the back of the negatives leaving large black patches).

I would recommend this system with reserve and only to be used with long developing times.

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

Thought I'd share my experience with the Combi Plan. I read everything online, and got outbid on several Nikor 4x5 spiral sheet film tanks [$] before I found someone in my area selling a combi plan [...]it took very little time to figure out and works very well. A couple tips:1.Make sure the lid is very tight, the corners especially, often times when I think its tight theres still a good push down left in one of the corners.2. Back to back negatives, as I found out tonight, has the possibility of leaving a purple tint (which can be washed off, but why go through the trouble) where the plastic bases touch and don't get rinsed out.3. One time I believe I might have agitated to hard, and got some scratches down my negatives. It might have been when I was loading the film in and out of the holders, but be careful with how hard you agitate, I like a slow inversion coupled with a power wiggle.4. This thing is great for easy washing!5. Yes, it does take a steady hand and a GOOD 25 seconds to fill up the tank with chemicals, so make sure that the dev. time is over 7 minutes to ensure that the bottom isn't slightly more developed than the top. Haven't had any issues thus far. Make sure you really twist that air valve (just the top plug) to the max open when you pour anything in.6. I've never tried a drum developer, but for home processing of medium amounts of sheet film the Combi Plan is a much better system than the internet haters would have us all think.Cheers!-DP

Comments about HP Combi Plan HP Combi 4 x 5" Sheet Film Developing Tank:

I love that fact i can develop 4x5 film with the lights on once the lid has been place over the film.

It took me a few times to realize how to let the water out of the tank but once i realized you had to open both the top and the side valve it all came together

The thing I found a bit irratating is when your pouring in liquid it seam to take longer than it should at the same time since it creating a light tight barrier i can't really complain all that much.

I recommend to anyone wanting to develop their own 4x5 film.