Morse g-3 processing tank User manual

7',                                                                                                 \\                                                       www.butkus.us

        [Jse of G-3 F ilm-Processing Tank*

         Bv ROBERT E. LEWIST
               tAnrvrotrn Rnsrlncn FouwoATroN oF fr,r"ruors fNsrrrurE oF Tncn-
            NoLocY, Crrrc.tco 16, L,r,rNors

          AND
       HENRY C. FROULAIt
             ttFonnrrnr,y, Anuoun fNsrrrurE or TncnNor,ocy; Now, Ulrrvpn-
             srry oF Cer,rnonwre. Los ANcnr,ns. Cer,rnonNre

                Summary-fhe processing of lengths of film by winding the film back and
                   forth between immersed spools is possible because of the activity by solutions
                entrapped between windings as well as the activity of solutions on the filtn ia
                   transit. Field and laboratory processing methods have been developed for the
               G-3 tank which handles both 16-mm and 35-mm film up to 100-foot leugtls.
             tTt"t. NEED ron the processing of an occasional hundred feet of
                 I   film, or the field processing of film without continuous machines,
           has given rise to several types of film-processing systems, the most
             widely known being the Stineman system. The introduction of the
          G-3 tankt* has enabled more convenient manipulation with results
               differing as a consequence of basically different conditions. Whereas
            the Stineman system places the film on a spiral in a flat tank, the
          G-3 tank depends on winding the film back and forth between im-
            mersed spools. The success of this method depends on the frequent
           winding of the film to refresh the exhausted chemicals'entrapped
           between layers of film between windings. The solutions are also
             acting on the film as it travels from one winding to the other, though
              this time is small in eomparison to the dwell between windings.
            The confinement of developing solutions between film layers is not
             the same type of condition for which the sta,ndard mixture is formu-
             lated such that modifications by the addition of antifoggants are
             ir.              usually of value (Tables I and II).  This is b'ecause of the effect of con-   #     finement of a restrioted quantity of solution which fr&yr depending
         on the image density, become fatigued prior to rewinding and
                 * Presented October 2I,1947, at the SMPE Convention in New York.
                ** Morse Instrument Company, Hudson, Ohio.
              474         Mey, 1948 Jounner, oF TEE SMPE Vor,uun 50
                              Copyrighted, 1948, by the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, Inc.


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                 G-3 Frr,nr-Pnocnssrrqc Trtxr               475
consequent changing of the solution next to the same portion of film.
Under certain conditions of exposure, subject matter and developer
choice, the effects of developer fatigue do not require modification of
common developer to obtain satisfactory image quality. This condi-
tion is found usually in the photography of cathode-ray oscilloscope
traces on Super-XX processed in Dektol, largely because of the small
amount of development required to deposit a single small line over a
whole width. An empirical test should be adequate in such a case
(FiS. 1) to determine if developer ghost is a problem.
  The time of fixing is rnuch.longer than the customary time, as is
the development, due to the small amount of solution in contact with





             Fig. l-Typical  triple-tracc rccording on 35-mm Lina-
                                  processed                                                                           in                                               as dcscribed          graph                                       D-72                           5244,                                             in              pan-II. Type                                                                          for                           proceising                                               \\'&s                                                    satisfactory          Table                                     very               The
           routine laboratory-research work.   www.butkus.us
the entire film length at any one time. Consequently, the use of
more rapid fixipg by the modification of conventional fixing baths by
the addition of ammonium chloride (Tables I and II) is a, welcome
relief from unnecessary winding or cranking of the film in the tank.*
  A further aspect of this system of development is the effect of film
length. Thus, the shorter the fiIm,l the more film is put through
fresh solutions, if one cranks by the rule of cranking continuously, so
that a shorter processing time results from the greater chemical ac-
tivity possible. If, however, the cranking is done on the basis of so
* The use of an additive to prepared commercial hypo formulas was chosen for
field use because of convenience only.

1948             G-3 Frlu-Pnocpssrxc Tenr                479
many complete windings and no more in a certain length of time, the
speeding of processing for shorter lengths is not so pronounced.
  The effect of the cubic quantity of solution which is in contact with
the emulsion is a source of difficulty with punchings, splices, and
other modifications of the film as to thickness or width. This is





             Fig. 2-To determine the basic characteristics of the
           tank, a roll of 35-mm rnicrofilm negative stock rvas over-
           processed to show the limits of the method. The upper
           piece shown is a clipping from the film sho\a'ing the two
            original punehings, the lou'er clipping being that portion of
           thgfilm wound next to the punches during proeessing. The
            devcloper effects adjacent to the punches are quite obvious.
         The lower piece shows the ghosts of the holes as they took
           various positions after winding during development. (The
            picture is a positive.)

directly a result of the increase in entrapped fluid resulting from the
spreading apart of the successive wound layers by the extra, base
thickness of the splice, or the absence of base by punched marks.
Punched marks may appear faintly on the emulsion some distance
down the film as a result of developer-fatigue differences brought
about by the pattern of increased developer storage when wound

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480                 Lnwrs exp Fnour,e             May
(Figs. 2,3,4, and 5). In practice, such peculiarities are not of im-
portance as a punch mark is rarely anywhere but the end of the film
and a splice is rare in camera film in any case. The suggestion that





                Fig. 3-Although Fig. 2 shows much the same gen-
              eral effect as the abovc, the rcvtr;'sed ghost effect can be
              expcct,cd occesionally as shown in thc l'rrthest left im-
              pression of the left puncll in thc lou'er clipping. (The
             picture is a positive.)





                Fig. 4-Very exaggerated overdcvelopmcnt of a film
           produced not only edge fog by the very slightly greater
             chemical replenishment there but also a weakened emul-
            sion which adhered and pulled a\4'ay as shown in the
            lowcr right as a jagged hole.

the G-3 tank be used for the quantity process:ng of end-to-end lengths
of 36+xposure stills on 35-mm film (Leica-type) is, however, of no
gleat value because of the effect of the splices.
  For field processing where loading may be done by a changing bag

1948             G-3 Frr,nr-PnocnssrNc  T,rNrc               481
and full advantage taken of the dal'light processing construction of
the tank, temperature control is often impractical as well as the
complete elimination of dust ancl clirt on the filrn or possibly in the
tank. In such situations the preharulening solution of formalin,
Tamol (Rohm and Haas), ancl other ingredients listed in Table I
rvas found to be a goocl protection against physical damage to the
emulsion. The use of the prehardener results in a loss of effective





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               Fig. 5-A slight crease in the base allows local entrap-
          menf of a greater volumc of developer which in turn de-
           velops more bcfore fatigue with consequently greater
          density. Such a crease effect due to development is
              difficult to distinguish from pressure fog. The above
             vertical &rc corresponds with the crease.

exposure speed and must therefore be decided upon prior to exposure
of the film.

                          CoNcr,usroNs
  Full knowledge of the basic principles underlying the operation of
the G-3 tank enables the satisfactory processing of films under condi-
tions hitherto considered impossible. Under ordinary conditions the
G-3 offers a degree of convenience not enjoyed by rack or Stineman
development methods though with different limitations as to the
choice of solutions.
 A process has been written (Appendix I) to enable use of the G-3
by completely untutored personnel.

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            482                 Lnwrs lnp Fnour,e             May
                           APPENDIX I
               frvsrnucrrroNs FoR rnn Usn oF TrrE Monsn G-3 Morrox Prcrunn
                                  Frr,ru-PnocEssrNc TeNr
         A.  General Remarks
             Examine the G-3 tank and note the following parts:
            1. The two spring clamps, one at each end of the tank, whieh
                    hold the cover in place.
            2. The removable cover with two cranks and a central opening
                   which can be used for the admission of liquids or as a vent.
I           3. A rvindow with a cover capable of being snapped shut.
            4. Below the window, an opening which can be used either asI                 a drain or as an entrance for liquids.
            5. A rubber stopper fastened to the tank with a chain, the stopper
                      being used to plug the opening beneath the window.
            6.  Inside the tank, two removable reels. These should be placed
                   on the spindles with the flat sides of the reels down. When
                    the cover is then put on the tank, the cranks contact the
                         reels and can be used to drive them. Note that the upper
                         side ofeach reel is adjustable so that the reelcan accommodate
                       either 16-mrn or 35-mm film. The adjustment from one size
                        to the other is made on each reel as follows:
                   Remove the reel and robate its two sides in opposite direc-
                        tions so that the upper side unlocks from its original position.
                    This movable side can now be moved toward (or away from)
                      the fixed side and can be locked in place by again twisting the
                  two sides in opposite directions. Between the two disks of
                             '    each reel is a slot for holding an end of the film. When
                   a lever which protrudes through a hole in the upper disk is
                   moved, the slot can be opened or closed; opened to receive or
                        release film, closed to hold it.
            7. Inside the tank, next to the window, a cylindrical roller. TheI                  tank is used with the window side toward the operator.
                                         placed so that t'he word       underI                The cover should be                           ttturn"
                    each crank is in the normal position for reading, namely on
                                '   the same side as the window.
         B. Statemmt Connerning Lights
                 Until a rather late stage in the process, the film is sensitive to light.
              Therefore, until this point has been reached, the fi,lm must be handled'

1948             G-3 Frnr-PnocpssrNc TeNr              483
in complete darkness (or, in the case of certain special.films, with a
proper safelight).
  A feature of the G-3 tank is the fact that, regardless of room illu-
mination, the interior of the tank is completely dark so long as the
tank and window are both covered. This light-tight feature permits
much of the processing to be done with the operator working in a
well-lighted room.
  The point at which it becomes safe to expose the film to any.light
occurs when the film has been thoroughly desensitized by the fixing
solution or special desensitizing solutions.
C. Loading the Tank
  Remove the cover and both reels from the tank. Make sure that
the entire system (tank, cover, reels) is clean and dry, that both reels
are properly adjusted, and their film slots are in the open position.
  Place the camera spool containing the film (not a G-ts reel) on the
spindle on the right-hand side. Orient the reel in such a way that it
will unwind counterclockwise.
   Insert about an inch of the loose end of the film in the slot of one
of the G-3 reels, clamp the slot, and place the reel on the left. spindle.
  Rotate the right reel clockwise so that it winds up any film that is
either loose or wound on the left reel. Check to see that the film is
not twisted or off the reel. To ensure a natural, unstrained setting
for the film, open the film slit of the left reel and rotate that reel two
or three turns clockwise. Then close the film slit.
  Transfer the film to the left reel by rotating the left reel clockwise.
This can be done either with or without the cover on the tank. If
the cover is used, the operator can use the crank and can illuminate
the room. (Be sure that the tank and its window are covered before
the room lights are turned on.)
  Fig. 6 illustrates the method. Note that this operation turns
the film "inside out"; that is, the film is wound on the left reel with
its emulsion side out (an important requirement), whereas  it normally
comes off of the original reel with its emulsion side facing in.
  'When        the film has been completely transferred to the left reel,
remove the right reel. Insert an inch of the loose end of the film into
the slot of the second G-3 reel and clamp the slot.
  Place the reel in the tank over the right spindle, taking care to
insert the connecting film between the window and the roller. Ro-
tate the left reel clockwise until it takes up any film that is loose or

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        4u                 Lpwrs eNp Fnour,.r             May
           wound on the right reel. Make certain that the film passes between
              the window and the roller, that the film is not twisted, and that it has
             not slipped off the reel.
               Loosen the film slot on the right reel, rotate that reel two or three
              turns counterclockwise, and again clamp the film slot.
             The arrangement at this stage is illustrated in Fig. 7.
               Rotate the left wheel clockwise until the right reel is unwound.
             Put the cover on the tank, lock it in place with the two spring
                 clips, and make sure that the window cover is snapped shut.
7            From this point on the room can be illuminated so long as the tank
            and window are covered.
{         D.  Processing the Film It
                Processing the film consists mainly in winding the film back and
             forth from one reel to the other through various liquids. This



                                                                                                                                                                      Digitally signed by Mike Butkus
                                                                                                                            DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o, ou=Butkus.org,
                                                                                                                                       email=mike@butkus.org, c=US                 Mike Butkus         Date: 2024.11.13 17:38:46 -05'00'



                  Fig. 6-Transferring the film from the   Fig. 7-Proper &n&ngement  of film and
                  camera spool to the left G-3 reel.             G-3 reels in tank.
             winding is aeeomplished. by means of the two eranks fitted into the
             cover. Be sure to turn the cranks in the directions indicated on the
            cover. The ieft crank is turned clockwise, the right crank counter-
               clockwise . Turn only one crank at a tim,e. (The second crank will fol-
             low naturally.)
              W'hen a "cranking cycle" has been completed, that is, when a film
           has been completely transferred from one reel to the other, the
             crank will jerk to a stop. At this point, start a new cycle, that is, fI
 I               start turning the other crank in the proper direction and continue
                this process for the periods indicated in such directions as those given
                in Table II. Make the jerk at the end of each winding very mild at
                  all times.
             The times and temperatures recommended in Tables I and II are
             important particularly in the case of development. Furthermore,
             they depend upon the rate of cranking. Therefore, a standard rate
             has been adopted' approximately two crank revolutions per second.

 t

L

1948           G-3 Frr,rvr-Pnocpssrxc TeNr              485
(For a 100-foot roll of film, the duration of a cycle will then be about
one minute.) However, an exception to the standard cranking rate
is found in the very first cycle in the first liquid (normally the de-
veloper). This cycle should be wound as rapidly as possible without
losing control of the operation or causing a jerk at the end.
  During development, be particularly careful not to stop cranking
during a cycle and not to delay between cycles. Measure the time of
development (and of the other operations also) from the beginning of
the first cycle to the end of the last cycle. Do not stop the develop-
ment during a cycle; always finish a cycle that has been started.
However, in order to satisfy the eritical time requirements in develop-
ment, it may be necessary to increase or decrease the rate of cranking
over the last one or two cycles-so that a cycle will end reasonably
close to the termination of the development time.
  Liquids can be admitted into and drained from the tank in either
of the following ways. In both methods the tank and its window
are covered.
    1. The "dry-sink" method. Plaee the tank in an unstopperedr
  sink. Fill the tank by plugging the hole (beneath the window of
  the tank) and pouring the liquid into the tank through the hole in
  the cover. In using this method prepare two quarts (64 ounces)
  of the liquid if 35-mm film is used, or one and one half quarts
  (48 ounces) if 16-mm film is used. These quantities will permit
  a moderate amount of loss through spillage. Drain the tank by
  removing the plug. Gently rocking and tipping the tank may aid
   in the efficient removal of the liquid.
    2. The "deep-tank" method. In this method the liquid is in a
  deep tank; and the G-3 tank, with its stopper pulled out, is lowered
  into the deep tank, causing the liquid to enter the G-3 through the
  hole (below the window).
    Drainage of the G-3 tank is effected simply by raising the G-3
  above the surface of the liquid and allowing the liquid to run out
  of the G-3 drain. Here again, as in the "dry-sink" method,
   efficient removal of the liquid may be aided by gently rocking and
  tipping the G-3 tank.
   The amount of liquid used in the deep tank should be such that
  when the G-3 is immersed, the liquid will easily cover all the film
  but will not cover the entire lid of the G-3 tank.
  In using either of the above methods, the developer should be
admitted to the G-B tank very quickly. It is particularly important

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            486                 Lrwrs awp Fnour,e             Mry
             that operation proceed smoothly and without delay from the time
            the developer is introduced until the timd the film has been run
              through a few cycles of the rinse that follows development.
                       It will be noted that in Table II the duration of the fixing is given as
              "twice clearing time." This statement may require further direction.
                After the film has been cranked through the fixer for five minutes,
             the film can be safely exposed to bright light. When this point has
            been reached, open the eover of the window (or remove the cover of
              the tank) and observe the film as it passes, stopping the film occasion-
                ally for closer inspection. At first a whitish color may be visible on
              parts of the film, but it will disappear gradually. The time required
              for the elimination of all whitishness is called the "clearing time."
          The duration of fixing should be at least twice this clearing time.
            For instance, if the removal of all whitishness required eight minutes
             of cranking, one would have to continue the cranking for at least
             another eight minutes before fixing could be considered complete.
            As the fixer is used repeatedly, the clearing time will increase.
            'When                      this time becomes intolerably long or when the fixer becomes
              very frothy, discard the old fixer for a new solution.
                Also note in Table II that the duration of washing is listed as "10
              to 20 minutes." The choice depends upon how long the film is to be
            preserved. If it is to be kept permanently, wash for 20 minutes at
              least. If it is to be kept for only a few davs, 10 minutes is sufficient.
                     If a sufficient supply of running water is available, place the tank
               in an unstoppered sink and, with the G-3 drain open, run water into
             the tank fast enough to keep the film covered. Allow the water to
             run in this manner for the duration of the wash. (Continue cranking
             during the wash.)
                   If sufficient water is not available, plug the G-3 drain and fill
             the tank with water as described in the "dry-sink" method. Crank
             for five minutes, then discard the used water. Refill with fresh
             water and repeat this operation for a total of 6 to 12 times, the number
              of times depending upon the useful life expected of the film (as in-
              dicated above).
              During the wash, regardless of which of these methods is used,
              occasionally rock the G-3 tank so that any remnant of a previous
               solution will be washed from the cover and upper parts of the tank.
          E. Drying the Fitm
                 TV'hen the washing has been completed, wind the film entirely onto




I
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     ,-.l'

1948             G-3 Frr,rvr-Pnocpssrr.ic Tewr                487
 one of the two G-3 reels. Remove both reels from the tank and open
  their film slits. Free the end of the film held in the unwound. reel.
.   various devices are used for drying film. one of the simplest is a
 sprung rack or frame around which the film can be wound and allowed
  to dry naturally. Before being wound around such a frame, the film
 should be wiped free of excess water. This can be done by drawing the
  film between two fine viscose film sponges. The sponges should be
 squeezed occasionally to remove their water, though allowing them
 to remain damp. (sponges should never be used with any part of
 them completely dry.) In winding the film on the frame, face the
 emulsion outward so that the frame will not mar it.   (If directions
 are followed, the emulsion will be on the outside of the windings on
 the G-3 reel.)
   Some drying devices are more complex and have features such as
 automatic "sponging" and forced-air drying. Follow technical
  orders for each machine.
   Regardless of the method of dryrng the film, be sure that it is
  perfectly and entirely dry before winding it on its finalieel.
 F.  Life o! Solutions
    If the "deep-tank" method is used, each solution, after use, is
 allowed to drain back into its supply tank and can be used several.
 times. If the "dry-sink" method is used, some of the solutions can be
 poured into supply bottles and reused several times.
   The number of times a solution can be used depends partly upon
 the quantity of liquid in the supply from which it is drawn for use
 and to which it is returned after being used. The number also
 depends upon the amount of film treated each time. That is, one
 100-foot roll is approximately equivalent to two ,5O-foot rolls in regard
 to the life of the solutions. Similarly one 3b-mm roll is roughly equal
 to two 16-mm rolls.
   Table III indicates the number of times the various solutions are to
 be used on 100-foot 35-mm rolls per qrnrt o! suppty solution.
   Example: Using the dry-sink method, with 10 quarts of fixer kept
 in the supply bottle, the solution should be replenished or replaced
 after using it on twenty 100-foot rolls of 3b-mm film (or on forty
 5O-foot rolls of 35-mm filrn, or on eighty b0-foot rolls of 16-mm, etc.).
   using the deep-tank method, with 10 quarts of fixer in the tank,
 the solution should be replenished or replaced after fixing thirty
 100-foot 35-mm rolls (or the equivalent).

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           488                 Lnwrs eNp Fnour,e
                    If the solutions are stored (covered) without regular use, they will
            retain their usefulness for months, with the exception of developer.
             Spoilage of deveioper can be reduced by observing the following pre-
            cautions: keep the developer cool; cover the developer in such a
         way as to have little or no air in contact with the solution; do not
                                   .            Tesl,p III
          NuMsnn or 100-Foot 35-Mu Ror,r,s ro Bp Tnn,c.rno rnn Qu.a,nr or Suppr,v
                                               Sor,urrou

                        Solution               Dry-Sink Method       Deep-Tank Method
             Prehardener (see Table I)                 4                         6
             Developer                 Use the solution only once                I
             Short stop                 Use the solution onlv once               1
                                  t| lxer                                    2                         3

         mix unnecessarily large quantities of developer at one time. If,
           however, it is particularly desirable to store developer as a solution,
             store it as the concentrated "stock solution" (prepared as indicated
          on the purchased container) and follow the above two precautions;
          and avoid contaminating developer with any other solutions. Thor-
           oughly rinse hands and other objects of uncertain cleanliness before
            putting them in the developer.
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                                Rnrpnowcn
                 (1) Ralph Haburton, "Reversal processing of motion picture fil-," Minioant
              Photographg, February, 1947.





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