CPP-2 Processors : Why?

snaggs · Mar 12, 2007

These seem very interesting, in that they can do film and prints. Are they worth the effort? or do trays etc just give the same results.

Just wondering, since I'm wanting to spec out the requirements for my dark room, and it seems with this I could avoid the large sinks etc and just plonk this on a bench and have it plumbed up.

Wanted for 4x5 and 35mm film and prints.

Daniel.

Bob F. · Mar 12, 2007

You may find it slower than trays for prints as you need to dry the tank somewhat between each use, but some people do prefer them - they also help keep the smell down.

I tend to use a Nova vertical slot unit for prints (which also helps keep the smell down as there is only a narrow strip of chemical in contact with the air) and my Jobo CPE-2 for 4x5 processing. It is probably safer to use at least a small sink to put the processor in just in case it develops a leak.

I switch to trays for larger prints or when I want to use a different developer to the one in my Nova at that time. I suspect it is best to make room for trays even if you intend using the Jobo for most work. You will probably need to use trays for toning etc in any case. Sepia for example requires at least three trays: one for bleach, one for a wash and one for the toner, plus possibly one more for a pre-soak if you are toning after the prints have previously dried. I think it is difficult to avoid using trays completely unless you are doing colour prints only or have no interest in indirect toning.

Good luck, Bob.

arigram · Mar 12, 2007

The Jobo CPP-2 is the only way to print up to 50x60cm and to develop 8 rolls of 120 at once.

Nick Zentena · Mar 12, 2007

Well that's not true.

Drums are nice for some things. I like them for colour prints. But for B&W I like to watch the image come up.

Drums are great for batch work. If you need to make four copies of something it's easy to expose all four then batch process.

I can't imagine just using a processor by itself. I'd still want trays for B&W prints.

Plus you don't even need a processor to use the drums.

Ed Sukach · Mar 12, 2007

I would say that they are. Temperature control is more than adequate; agitation, in the form of "bi-rotation" is controlled and uniform; and after loading the tank, everything is accomplished in ordinary room light.

Drying the tank is not a problem. I use a high-tech wad of Brawny paper towels (or equivalent) initially and ambient air will do the rest in five minutes... less time than it takes me to load paper and expose another print in the enlarger.

Less chemistry and wash water is an extra added benefit.

Lopaka · Mar 12, 2007

I use mine for all film and for color printing. I still use trays for B&W printing. If I was going to do only B&W, I probably would not have invested in it. It is ideal for color film processing where temperature control is critical.

Bob

jp80874 · Mar 12, 2007

arigram said:
The Jobo CPP-2 is the only way to print up to 50x60cm and to develop 8 rolls of 120 at once.

Ari,
Can you get a roast chicken in there at the same time?

Daniel,

Do plan this out. Make a drawing or six of the process in steps. A big sink is a wonderful thing to have in a darkroom. Besides the CPP-2 can splash a lot of water and chemicals around as it goes through it's cycles. I use an eight foot stainless sink and put the Jobo in there when I'm using it. The exhaust fans are opposite me across the sink and take out any fumes. I process film up to 7x17 in tanks.

I put the Jobo on a cart and wheel it out of the way when I want to do up to 20x24 inch B&W prints in trays in the sink. The print washers are beside the sink and drain into the same pipes.

A good plan, however you choose to set up your darkroom, will save a lot of labor and cost later on.

John Powers

Mark_S · Mar 12, 2007

I use mine purely for film processing, both B&W and E-6. I do 35mm, 120, and 4x5 in it. Things that I like about it are:

1) Uses less chemistry than other methods that I have used - very economical.
2) Makes it easy to control use of those chemicals that are reused from batch to batch (they go from the bottle, to the processor, back to the bottle very easy)
3) Very uniform results from very uniform agitation and temperature control
4) Large capacity - with my drums and reels I can do 8 rolls of 35mm, 5 rolls of 120 or 18 sheets of 4x5 all at once.

Things that I don't like about it are:
1) Stainless reels are easier to load than the plastic Jobo ones (I know that there are SS reels available, but I haven't yet dropped the $40 per reel that they are asking for them)

2) It takes up a fair amount of counter space

For me, one of the biggest advantages is the low chemistry volume thing. I am on a septic system, so disposal of many of my processing chemicals is a PITA, and by generating less waste, it makes life a lot easier.

Neal · Mar 12, 2007

Dear Snaggs,

They are very little effort. I prefer trays for prints (I hate drying out the drums all the time), but for film they are wonderful. I find it easier to set up for a single sheet of 4x5 in a Jobo than to set up trays for the same job.

Neal Wydra

dancqu · Mar 12, 2007

snaggs said:
These seem very interesting, in that they can do film
and prints. Are they worth the effort? or do trays etc
just give the same results.

Just wondering, since I'm wanting to spec out the
requirements for my dark room, and it seems with this
I could avoid the large sinks etc and just plonk this on
a bench and have it plumbed up.

Wanted for 4x5 and 35mm film and prints. Daniel.

I've a hybridized method; a cross between rotary and tray
processing. As with rotary's one tube, one tray is used. Minimal
solution volumes mimic rotary's requirements. Chemistry is used
one-shot; a not unusual practice among those who process
using tubes. For holding and alternate tray washing a
second tray is needed. Dan

Petzi · Mar 12, 2007

I have used Jobo processors for color prints, both RA-4 and Cibachrome (Ilfochrome). Remember, you can't have the darkroom light on when processing color prints, so the Jobo seems practical here, because you can turn the white light on when the drum is closed.

snaggs · Mar 13, 2007

jp80874 said:
Ari,
I use an eight foot stainless sink and put the Jobo in there when I'm using it. The exhaust fans are opposite me across the sink and take out any fumes.
John Powers

I am building a new house, but the land is inner city and only 350sqm, so room is tight. I was thinking of setting up a darkroom at one end of the garage and putting in 2 rows curtains across the roller door to make it light tight.

Do I need to worry about fumes in such a large space?

Daniel.

snaggs · Mar 13, 2007

Bob F. said:
I switch to trays for larger prints or when I want to use a different developer to the one in my Nova at that time. I suspect it is best to make room for trays even if you intend using the Jobo for most work. You will probably need to use trays for toning etc in any case. Sepia for example requires at least three trays: one for bleach, one for a wash and one for the toner, plus possibly one more for a pre-soak if you are toning after the prints have previously dried. I think it is difficult to avoid using trays completely unless you are doing colour prints only or have no interest in indirect toning.

Good luck, Bob.

True, I did want to do selenium toning.. seems like one of those darkroom sink thingo's I've seen could be a good idea.. I just dont know where to find them now days.

I'm finding this hard, since I have no one to show me how to setup a darkroom, and I'm not good at building things by hand. I determined to get this sorted though.

Daniel.

jp80874 · Mar 13, 2007

snaggs said:
I am building a new house, but the land is inner city and only 350sqm, so room is tight. I was thinking of setting up a darkroom at one end of the garage and putting in 2 rows curtains across the roller door to make it light tight.

Do I need to worry about fumes in such a large space?

Daniel.

Daniel,
Each person's sensitivity to fumes is different. Sensitivity may change over time and exposure. I think you do need to worry about it, others may not. I have bad allergies and good ventilation makes the difference between working in a darkroom and not. If you research the subject here you will read of people who suddenly reacted to something such as metol that had not bothered them before, but the reaction ended their career as a printer. It is your choice.

John Powers

snaggs · Mar 13, 2007

jp80874 said:
Daniel,
Each person's sensitivity to fumes is different. Sensitivity may change over time and exposure. I think you do need to worry about it, others may not. I have bad allergies and good ventilation makes the difference between working in a darkroom and not. If you research the subject here you will read of people who suddenly reacted to something such as metol that had not bothered them before, but the reaction ended their career as a printer. It is your choice.

John Powers

I process my own film.. is it similar to that.? if so.. no problem.. I like the smell.

One last question.. is there something smaller than a Jobo for good processing of B&W 4x5 film? I seem to remember seeing some advert in a magazine somewhere for something that was not a drum, but unique to 4x5.

Daniel.

Nick Zentena · Mar 13, 2007

You can use the Jobo 25xx drums inversion style. I think a few here do. The 2550 and bigger drums will fit something like a unicolor roller but I'm guessing you are in Europe? Not sure how common they are.

Mark_S · Mar 13, 2007

snaggs said:
One last question.. is there something smaller than a Jobo for good processing of B&W 4x5 film?
Daniel.

Smaller options include the Jobo CPE - which takes a bit less counter space, and for film is almost as good (you can't use the expert drums, and you can only do a max of 12 sheets at a time).

Another option which I used before I shifted to Jobo, which has advantages and disadvantages is BTZS tubes. BTZS takes less space, and is less expensive. One thing that I can do with BTZS which I can't do with Jobo is to tailor the processing of each sheet independently. I use HC-110, and to get my N-, N and N+ developing, rather than changing time, I would change HC-110 concentration, and with BTZS this can be done on a sheet by sheet basis, allowing all the timing and processing to take place the same from then on.

jp80874 · Mar 13, 2007

snaggs said:
I process my own film.. is it similar to that.? if so.. no problem.. I like the smell.

One last question.. is there something smaller than a Jobo for good processing of B&W 4x5 film? I seem to remember seeing some advert in a magazine somewhere for something that was not a drum, but unique to 4x5.

Daniel.

Daniel,

It is not a matter of whether you like the aroma. It is a matter of what the fumes do to your body.

For darkroom ideas you might look at the very long thread Darkroom Portraits.

John

dancqu · Mar 13, 2007

jp80874 said:
It is not a matter of whether you like the aroma.
It is a matter of what the fumes do to your body.
John

For myself the use of odorous fume producing
chemistry is an antiquated, obsolescent, processing.
Many years ago that sort of chemistry WAS necessary.

Many years ago films and papers required an acid fixer
and for the acid fixer an acid stop. No longer. The industry
and individuals aware of the changes that have been made
can do the B&W Silver Gelatine craft a favor. Inform those
who believe that there is only an odorous rout to fine
prints that an odorless rout exists. Dan

CPP-2 Processors : Why?

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