4x5 Negative Processing With Jobo

MegoApesNut · Apr 12, 2018

I recently acquired a load of darkroom equipment including a Jobo CPE2. I am dipping my toes into the 4x5 world and the Jobo unit came with several tanks but no reels. I did some searching on developing 4x5 film without a reel and came across opposing information. Jobo informed me that I could NOT develop without the reels. I found an old thread here where somebody was using the clips to hold the film in the tank to develop (see photo). Has anyone else had any success with this method? I realize that you can only get a few pieces of film vs 3 or 4 with a reel and I think I will eventually get a reel. However, for now I was wondering if anyone else used the clips.

ewbank1 · Apr 12, 2018

I was in a similar situation, except with a CPA2. My memory is I developed a couple of sheets, thought "the results are better than I expected". I then bought an expert drum and have only used that since. I'd suggest trying what you have it might work okay for you.

Oren Grad · Apr 12, 2018

ewbank1 said:
I was in a similar situation, except with a CPA2. My memory is I developed a couple of sheets, thought "the results are better than I expected". I then bought an expert drum and have only used that since. I'd suggest trying it.

Very unfortunately, Expert drums can't be used with a CPE, only with a CPA or CPP.

ewbank1 · Apr 12, 2018

Oren Grad said:
Very unfortunately, Expert drums can't be used with a CPE, only with a CPA or CPP.

Correct. I should have made that clearer in my post. I was suggesting the OP try what he has, not an expert drum which won't fit.

Kawaiithulhu · Apr 12, 2018

Don't you also need the central post to effect the light baffle?

MegoApesNut · Apr 12, 2018

Well, I am glad the expert drum won't work with my Jobo unit cause it is very tempting but I don't want to spend anywhere near that amount of money!

MegoApesNut · Apr 12, 2018

Kawaiithulhu said:
Don't you also need the central post to effect the light baffle?

I think I do have the post. It is indeed needed?

grahamp · Apr 12, 2018

You need some sort of light baffle between the lid of the tank and the base. This is usually a column with spirals, or a fluid cup in print mode. I have never tried 5x4 film in the small tank as I have a 2509n reel, but I have done 8x10 in the larger 2830 tank without problems using the cup lid. Washing is the most problematic. You need to remove the film from the tank for a final rinse to make sure there is no residual chemistry between the tank and the film back.

ic-racer · Apr 12, 2018

MegoApesNut said:
I recently acquired a load of darkroom equipment including a Jobo CPE2. I am dipping my toes into the 4x5 world and the Jobo unit came with several tanks but no reels. I did some searching on developing 4x5 film without a reel and came across opposing information. Jobo informed me that I could NOT develop without the reels. I found an old thread here where somebody was using the clips to hold the film in the tank to develop (see photo). Has anyone else had any success with this method? I realize that you can only get a few pieces of film vs 3 or 4 with a reel and I think I will eventually get a reel. However, for now I was wondering if anyone else used the clips.

That looks like the 2820 test drums that came to me on the bottom of a large drum (2840 Drum = (2820 + 2870) ) I use for 8x10 sheets. I have tried that little 2820 drum with 4x5 (without the clips) and the film always falls out of the grooves. Maybe the clips will hold it in place. I'll have to try it sometime. It is nice to be able to process a single or two sheets, rather than use my 3010 drum.

You don't need the post if you have the lid with the filling cup on the inside.

Tim Stapp · Apr 12, 2018

T

grahamp said:
You need some sort of light baffle between the lid of the tank and the base. This is usually a column with spirals, or a fluid cup in print mode. I have never tried 5x4 film in the small tank as I have a 2509n reel, but I have done 8x10 in the larger 2830 tank without problems using the cup lid. Washing is the most problematic. You need to remove the film from the tank for a final rinse to make sure there is no residual chemistry between the tank and the film back.

He has a light baffle. He is using a print drum with the cup in the lid (see in the upper right-just visible). I process many sheets of film this way before getting my reel.

OP, just make sure that you do the Photoflo step outside of the Jobo tanks. I use a glass baking dish (don't tell my wife where it went).

Andrew K · Apr 13, 2018

I've found if you pre wash your film for 5 minutes before development you get good results. It's a trick that was told to me many years ago by the man who was the Jobo specialist for the local distributor (and was also a darkroom worker)

Richard Man · Apr 13, 2018

Andrew K said:
I've found if you pre wash your film for 5 minutes before development you get good results. It's a trick that was told to me many years ago by the man who was the Jobo specialist for the local distributor (and was also a darkroom worker)

That's a well known advice from Jobo ;-)

Sirius Glass · Apr 13, 2018

Yes but both Jobo and Kodak advise against prewash with Kodak Tri-X 400 and XTOL. That only applies to that combination.

MegoApesNut · Apr 13, 2018

Andrew K said:
I've found if you pre wash your film for 5 minutes before development you get good results. It's a trick that was told to me many years ago by the man who was the Jobo specialist for the local distributor (and was also a darkroom worker)

Did I read somewhere that you should reduce development time if you pre-wash? Or maybe it was to be reduced because of the constant agitation of a Jobo unit?

Sirius Glass · Apr 13, 2018

MegoApesNut said:
Did I read somewhere that you should reduce development time if you pre-wash? Or maybe it was to be reduced because of the constant agitation of a Jobo unit?

Maybe you did, but the answer is 'No".

Neal · Apr 14, 2018

Dear MegoApesNut,

If you plan on doing 4x5 as a regular part of your photography, bite the bullet and get a reel and loader. They are worth it.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

mshchem · Apr 14, 2018

I used a 2830 once to develop 8x10 sheet film. You can make it work. I have expert tanks but prefer the 2509n reels and loader for 4x5. I use IR goggles which is the only way I can load the reels.

Doc W · Apr 16, 2018

Neal said:
Dear MegoApesNut,

If you plan on doing 4x5 as a regular part of your photography, bite the bullet and get a reel and loader. They are worth it.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

+1

Talk to Omer at CatLabs. He probably has several options for what you need.

Adrian Bacon · Apr 17, 2018

I ran into a similar situation recently. For 4x5 sheets, you need the 2509 reel and a 2500 series 2 tank to put it in. I also bit the bullet and purchased their CL81 so I can process 8x10 sheets and got a 2561 tank to go with it. I use that one tank with the 2509 reel and with the CL81. The bigger tank is better because you have the volume to use more dilute solutions.

mshchem · Apr 17, 2018

Adrian Bacon said:
The bigger tank is better because you have the volume to use more dilute solutions.

Agree +1. I have had problems with diluted XTOL, I didn't pay close attention to minimum stock solution requirements . You simply cannot always get enough dilute solutions into the small 1510 tank etc. Tank 1510, calls for 140 mL of solution. Stock XTOL you are OK. Diluted 1:1 you need a tank that will hold at least 200mL 1520 fits the bill for 1 roll at a time 135-36 or 1 120 with dilute XTOL.

4x5 Negative Processing With Jobo

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