I think it might profit you to look at Ansel Adams's notes in "The Print" about
how he developed large mural-sized sheets of paper. If I recall correctly, he
used large custom-made troughs with diluted developer and rolled and re-rolled
the paper to provide constant "agitation". So long as the developer volume is
sufficient to develop your square footage, you should be okay.

I also recall reading some time ago a medium-format photographer developed his
120 film in trays to get even non-streaked skies. I laid the film on its side
after taping the two ends together with the tape from the backing paper, to form
a loop. He had figured out his agitation scheme and it worked out quite well for
him. I supposed if you had a tray or trough deep enough, you could "snake" the
film through the length of the trough and wiggle the thing periodically for
agitation. Dilute well so as to get long developing time and you've got it made.

You could do snip tests by cutting off small pieces and taping them into 4x5
film holders; expose for Zone I and find film speed; expose for Zone VII and get
developing time in your chosen developer dilution. I recall from "The Negative"
that using diluted developer he'd often develop once every minute or so, but
there's no reason not to agitate more frequently if it works out for you. The
dilution and extended development time is to hedge your bets for the time it
takes to wrestle all that film gently from the developer to the water or stop
bath.

Hope this helps.

Regards to all,

--Michael Hendrickson
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


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