a few more jobo question then i buy!

hi everyone,
i am just about ready to buy a jobo tank and try my hand at some C41 and E6 processing. i see B&H has some drums that handle up to 4x5 negs. which ones do 8x10? can i get the drum that hold 12 or more 4x5 negs and get the insert for 8x10 or is that a totally different drum can i get buy with the 2830 print drum for 8x10 sheet film does it come with an insert? am i understanding it that i need to buy all my reels separately(damn)? can i get by with only the 4x5 film guide? i would hate to have to buy the base also (i am pretty dexterous). thanks for all the info. it is a bit difficult to tell what i need only from reading on a web site.


thanks again.

eddie

8x10 either means an Expert drum or using print drums. The 2830 is a print drum. It'll handle 2 8x10 prints. Many of us use it for sheet film.

If you mean the 4x5 loader for the 2509N reels then no you don't really need it. It doesn't hurt but it's possible to load without it.

The Omega website for Jobo has the various manuals online. That might help.

Drums are usually much cheaper used. Print drums even more so.

I am using the 2509n reel and loading the film without the loader.

Also, check the other threads about jobos and 4x5. The reel is scratching the Efke 100 film I am using which means I cannot contact print the neg.

for economy of chemicals you need to use your tank in horizontal mode which also means you must use constant agitation.
So that chemicals do not pool at either end of tank it is best to put tank on roller base (or processor).

If you are considering a processor, then you must also consider if you want to use the lift accessory. If the answer is Yes then your tanks must have cog lids. If you don't want to use the lift then its better to have non cog lids with plug lids. tanks numbers ending in 1 have plug lids. Tank numbers ending in a 3 have cog lids. You can buy spare lids of either type. Tank numbers ending in 1 come with magnets in the base which are for use on a processor without a lift. Spare magnets can be fitted to tank number ending in 3 so that those tanks can be used on processors without a lift. So tanks with a cog lid can be used with or without a lift if they gave a magnet fitted to the base.

Expert drums always have cogs fitted to lids and can only be used on processors with a lift.

If you start without a processor, then you will require a roller base unless you want to do inversion processing(much less economical especially for E6).

For 4x5 film I would recommend a 2551(no cog) or 2553(cog lid) tank which takes two 2509n reels each holding 6 sheets of 4x5 film. It is uneconomical to use the tank with only 1 reel because you still have to use enough chemistry for 12 sheets of film when in horizontal mode.

For 8x10 the 3005 expert drum is probably the best but it is very expensive.
Also it can only be used on a processor with a lift so if you get this drum and want a processor then all your other tanks should also have cog lids.

I don't know about using a print drum for 8x10 film.

The roller base is cheap and means you can start without having to get a processor. And for E6 you really will need the roller base or a processor because the tanks need to be kept horizontal.

I agree with Nick and David, you don't need the loader, nor the guide. I find the reels easier to load without it.

I lay the reel on it's side and then load the film. Very easy. And I don't use the guides either. No problems so far. Just soft emulsion.

okay! thanks everyone. turns out i have an old uniroller that i got with a darkroom that i bought some time back. i never knew i had it till i was following a link to a different post and i saw a picture of it....i recognized it and dug it out. so i do have a roller base (YIPPIE!!!!) to get underway with!

thanks for the tip about the loader....saves me a few bucks that i can use for some chemicals.

cheers
eddie