Drum devt. 4x5:unicolor vs jobo vs btzs: Help!!

gbenaim · Jul 27, 2005

Well, I'm trying to pick a dev't method, and am pretty sure I'll go with a drum, so wanted to get pros and cons from users. Thanks.

Nick Zentena · Jul 27, 2005

The main con with the Jobo is the cost new.

Pros depending on which tank you use it can handle a lot of sheets. It'll work with a processer if you get one. You can get spare parts if you need them.

RGyori · Jul 27, 2005

I am relatively new (1 1/2 year) to processing 4x5 on my Jobo CPE after years of using a variety of tanks and tray development methods. I'll never look back. Adjusting developer dilution (TMAX-RS in my case) and time is crucial, but once set, the results are rock solid. By the way I highly recommend the JOBO lift accessory... it makes adding and removing chemical a snap.

My negatives are now much more consistent and the crucial clear sky values are completely uniform with no density variations. All this while taming TMX with N+2 through N-1 development (I use a sloshing tray for N-2).

Admittedly expensive but I feel the results justify it.

Good luck!

Bob

MikeSeb · Jul 27, 2005

I second the vote for the Jobo. I picked up a used ATL-1500 on eBay. As far as I know service is still available for them (albeit not cheap) but the predictable and consistent results you get are well worth the cost. You can do B&W plus C41 and E6.

As Bob said, you'll need to adjust times; I find that B&W times are around 20% less than quoted in the tables for "small tank" development, due to the continuous agitation.

Mike

bobfowler · Jul 27, 2005

I would get a Jobo IF I had a place to put one - things are a bit too crowded around here. Since space is at a premium, I'll stick with the Unidrum.

A Jobo would be nice though... I wonder if SWMBO would notice?

hehehe

Nick Zentena · Jul 27, 2005

I bet my Jobo uses basically the same space your unidrum does. The fact it sits on a Unicolor motorbase might be why -)

mmmichel · Jul 27, 2005

I'd go with the unicolor drum. I picked one up about a year ago with the base for about $25, after years of tank development. I haven't looked back since. There's a nice little article on the large format page describing how to process 4x5's in these (though I suspect you've already read it). I have had absolutely no problems with uneven development. The really great thing about these is that they use so little chemistry. For the cost, you might as well try one, if you feel it is insufficient, you can still buy a Jobo without losing much money. As far as the btzs tubes, they don't let you work in light and I think they're a bit overpriced.

bobfowler · Jul 27, 2005

Nick Zentena said:
I bet my Jobo uses basically the same space your unidrum does. The fact it sits on a Unicolor motorbase might be why -)

Yeah, but I was really talking about the whole Jobo processor setup, not just the tank!

Phillip P. Dimor · Jul 27, 2005

I use a Unicolor Uniroller.. I only stick two sheets in the drum per run because I don't have a spacer. I've tried making spacers but they all fail and my sheets stick to each other during development, leading to ruined negs.. I'm wanting a jobo drum with 2509 reels and spinning it on my Uniroller.

Jobo is great but $$$. My uniroller is way compact and cheap. Being able to do c41 and e6 is very attractive though.

Sjixxxy · Jul 27, 2005

Phillip P. Dimor said:
I use a Unicolor Uniroller.. I only stick two sheets in the drum per run because I don't have a spacer. I've tried making spacers but they all fail and my sheets stick to each other during development, leading to ruined negs.. I'm wanting a jobo drum with 2509 reels and spinning it on my Uniroller.

Jobo is great but $$$. My uniroller is way compact and cheap. Being able to do c41 and e6 is very attractive though.

I just buy big bags of plastic cloths pins. Work good, just need to disgard them after use so that when the metal springs get corroded, they don't leave flakes all over your negative.

Uniroller works for be, except earlier this week when the mechanism inside that switches the direction of rotation failed and the drum spun around until it fell off spilling about 10 ounces of fixer out.

Mongo · Jul 27, 2005

I've had nothing but good luck with the Unidrum/Uniroller combination. It's not as sophisticated as the Jobo, but for $25 for the set I couldn't be happier. I'm going to give the plastic clothes pin thing a try...thanks for the tip Sjixxxy.

Nick Zentena · Jul 28, 2005

bobfowler said:
Yeah, but I was really talking about the whole Jobo processor setup, not just the tank!

Unless you're porcessing one roll at a time the tank and a unicolor rollerbase will likely do a better job then the whole processor. Cost at most 1/10th the cost to-)

Drum devt. 4x5:unicolor vs jobo vs btzs: Help!!

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