Durst RCP20 for RA-4... Does anybody use it?

[boo_with_camera]

Hi there, I'd like to know if anyone uses the Durst RCP20 processor for RA-4 printing. If any, have you regeared the machine for faster speed or do you use it at its speed but lowering the temp of the chemicals? Does it work?
Thank you in advance.
Lorenzo

 

[Mike Wilde]

I had a RCP machine passed to me, and cleaned it up, but never ended up using it.

The one I had was geared for EP/2 still, and the lab owner who bought it used it for processing the resurgence of B&W in wedding photos in the mid 90's here in Canada.

I have a Fujimoto CP31, so the RCP sat around for a few years unused. I am aware of the abilty to regear it and have also researched others who have done toothed belts and toothered gears with idler pulley to keep the belt tight speed converions.

I was concerend about the foam roller in the stop tray. I thought 'once that goes this machine is un-repairable'.

In the end I took the bath heaters and circulation pump out of the RCP, and tossed the balance of the machine. These scavenged components presently are used to run a recirculating tempering bath for a modified Wing Lynch 4 film processor.

Kodak RA-4 RT chemistry( ie meant for roller transport chemistry) is reported to work well at room temperature with adjustments in the fitration pack compared to how it develops prints at 38C. Some people use it working in trays this way. I see no reason it would not work cold in the ep/2 speed machine.

 

[Rombo]

I have one at home, which is converted to RA-4 process.
It is simple to convert RCP-20, You can do this by Yourself.

Here is link: http://www.vogelstimmen-wehr.de/rcp20.htm

My RCP-20 works fine, the only problem is, that BX is left on the image. It takes about 30 seconds to wash, and I strongly suggest to use stabilizing bath.

 

[boo_with_camera]

Hi there!
My RCP20 has arrived yesterday. It is in very good overall conditions, even the foam roller is in good shape. It works correctly, I suppose, and right now I'm looking for parts to regear it.

@ Rombo and those of you who have converted it to RA-4:
you have regeared it as described in the link Rombo has posted, haven't you?

Another question [have patience with me, I'm only a beginner in color printing ]: what chemicals do you use for RA-4 processing with the regeared RCP?
Thank you very much.
Lorenzo

 

[Mike Wilde]

I would recommend Kodak RA-4 RT. If stored in full glass bottles between session I have been able to stretch lightly used solutions out to 8 weeks or more using this chemistry.

 

[hrst]

I have never had Kodak RA-4 chemicals gone bad when mixed and stored in full squeezed plastic bottles. Oldest developer that worked fine I've tried has been around 8-9 months or more. I find that RA-4 is super robust! You can do anything and it works and works and works... But, I've had opened developer concentrates go bad in less than 6 months!

Actually, today I tried Fuji CA first time with Kodak chemicals at room temperature (24 deg C), with no problems at all. (Some people have reported color crossover problems with this combination.) The filtration differed about -10M -10Y from Kodak Supra Endura filtration with same chemicals, and resulted in a bit higher saturation and contrast but very good image quality, a bit "punchier" image but not too punchy. The photo I tried, however, had mixed artificial lighting and no delicate grey scale so I couldn't do a proper evaluation for crossover, but at least it seems to work very well with very clear whites and deep blacks.

 

[boo_with_camera]

Thank you hrst!
Do you use the RCP or tray processing? Just as a curiosity... I've tried the tray processing with Tetenal chemistry, and I was happy with it, but now I'm regearing the RCP, and I can't wait for it!!!
As I can't find Kodak chemistry locally, and shipping costs from the UK or Germany are very expensive, I think I'll try to use the Rollei Digibase chems (someone says that they're Fuji chems repacked)... I've still two boxes of Supra Endura, bought in Berlin on Nov. 2009 and expired in June 2010, then I think I'll buy a roll of Kodak Royal or Edge paper and will cut it in sheets and keep it in the fridge. Do you use roll paper or sheets?

 

[hrst]

I use trays.