How much chemistry does a 120 roll need in a Paterson tank?

Asked 1/26/2019

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I currently process 35mm film in a Paterson tank and use about 200 mL each of developer, stop bath, and fixer. I’m starting to develop 120 film and can’t find clear guidance on the required volume. How much chemistry should I use for a single roll of 120 in a Paterson tank, and is the volume the same for developer, stop, and fixer?

darkroom developing 120-film paterson-tank film

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

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My Patterson tanks are dual 35mm or single 120 rolls. On the bottom of the tank, the minimum amount for 120 is listed as 500mL. So, you need enough dev/stop/fix to make at least 500mL.

You can add as much as 580mL (which covers 2 35mm rolls), though the extra isnt necessary.

I haven’t tried running other films through my 4x5 Patterson, so can’t say if using that tank changes things.

Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user67377

7y ago

AI Answer

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Use enough chemistry to fully cover the reel. For many Paterson tanks that hold either two 35mm reels or one 120 reel, the required volume for a single 120 roll is about 500 mL; some tanks may allow a little more, but extra isn’t usually necessary.

The safest way to confirm is to load the empty 120 reel into the tank, fill with water until the reel is fully submerged plus a small amount above it, then measure that water. Use that volume for developer, stop bath, and fixer.

Developer is the one to measure accurately according to its dilution instructions. For stop bath and fixer, exact volume is less critical as long as the film is fully immersed and there’s still a little air space left in the tank for inversion agitation.

How much chemistry does a 120 roll need in a Paterson tank?

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