Autopan vs colenta ra-4 machines

[mshchem]

Well, mshchem - that looks like a DIY copy of one of those Old Kodak external rim drum processors. I've always wondered how well one of those would work with large fiber-based black and white paper, which tends to collapse inside a drum. Not that I'm going to test the idea - just buying a box of 16X20 b&w paper has gotten awfully expensive these days; and my notion of using an external net drum would hypothetically apply to more like 30X40 inch b&w prints. Still - worth pondering.

This is the Kodak external drum machine. 16k Kodak Rapid Color processor

Keeps temperature dead on. Internal water, roughly 5 gallons, circulation pump. Print floats face down on the chemistry. Takes about 10 minutes to warm up. 45s developer, I use a stop for about 20s, blix 45s, wash on machine for 90s. Run print through my Ilfospeed dryer, 45s max.
Clean up is rinse off machine, hang up the net blanket, turn off the machine and your done. I always swish out the sink underneath. I add maybe a mL of an antimicrobial humidifier treatment so the tank stays fresh between runs.

 

[ScandiPhoto]

This is the Kodak external drum machine. 16k Kodak Rapid Color processor

Keeps temperature dead on. Internal water, roughly 5 gallons, circulation pump. Print floats face down on the chemistry. Takes about 10 minutes to warm up. 45s developer, I use a stop for about 20s, blix 45s, wash on machine for 90s. Run print through my Ilfospeed dryer, 45s max.
Clean up is rinse off machine, hang up the net blanket, turn off the machine and your done. I always swish out the sink underneath. I add maybe a mL of an antimicrobial humidifier treatment so the tank stays fresh between runs.

That system deserves its own thread.

And it has one. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/anyone-run-a-kodak-16k-rapid-color-processor.141703/

 

[Klaus Mähring]

Thanks for the input. If one were to store the machine for short or longer periods. Should it be stored empty/dry, or filled with water?

I'd store it dry.
Long ago I had a beast that size. I stored it filled with water and it started moulding....

 

[foc]

Commercial type processors, as has been noted above, are designed for continuous use.

Yes they can be drained and the machine cleaned BUT in my experience, this is the very boring bit and after many times doing the draining and washing and cleaning and refilling, sometimes corners are cut, and that's when problems start to appear.

If you have the volume, then by all means do it. If not then think twice.

Just a simple and rough rule of thumb in commercial RA4 (similar to C41), you need to turn over your developer tank volume once a month. In other words, if your dev tank is 15L then you need to have used 15L of dev replenisher in a month.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The old Kodak external net drum system wouldn't work for me because the chem is on the outside, exposing one to the vapors in the darkroom, just like open trays or tanks. I have to work with enclosed drums outdoors to minimize the risk of respiratory sensitization. I have a nice big porch awning just outside of the darkroom complex for sake of that, along with a portable cart bearing the big rotation device.

 

[ScandiPhoto]

The old Kodak external net drum system wouldn't work for me because the chem is on the outside, exposing one to the vapors in the darkroom, just like open trays or tanks. I have to work with enclosed drums outdoors to minimize the risk of respiratory sensitization. I have a nice big porch awning just outside of the darkroom complex for sake of that, along with a portable cart bearing the big rotation device.

Would you mind sharing some photos of your construction? Would be fun to se how it looks.

 

[Carnie Bob]

I wrote a bit with Thomas Stäbler at https://www.autopan.de

He still repair and service the Autopan units in Europe.

I owned a colenta RA processer as well as a custom cibachrome colenta. They were very good machines, worked with Autopan as a couple of labs.

I would suggest go with the machine where you can get parts , service and manuals so you can learn everything about the machine . It really boils down
to who will fix, maintain and quality control one of these machines.
I no longer do either RA4 or Cibachrome but my experience is extensive with auto machines and in all cases its all about maintenence.

 

[Carnie Bob]

View attachment 421340

16x20 uses 8 fl.oz of chemistry (you can get by with less)

I started my photo life one one of these K16s and am looking to purchase one again to revisit my youth, totally great unit.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I haven't linked pictures before. I might be able to do it with a cell phone; but this old platform I'm using is getting pretty far out of synch.

 

[Carnie Bob]

Well, mshchem - that looks like a DIY copy of one of those Old Kodak external rim drum processors. I've always wondered how well one of those would work with large fiber-based black and white paper, which tends to collapse inside a drum. Not that I'm going to test the idea - just buying a box of 16X20 b&w paper has gotten awfully expensive these days; and my notion of using an external net drum would hypothetically apply to more like 30X40 inch b&w prints. Still - worth pondering.

Not to be a know it all but I can confirm that you could produce fibre base prints with a unit like this and yes if you had a huge drum you could do 30 x 40 inch