film processing machines

[pellicle]

Hi

presently I'm using a Jobo with a 2500 series tank for 120 and (rarely) 35mm

I recall dimly from some ten years or more ago walking through my University's photography department and being shown what I remember as being a 35mm film processing machine.

I'm wondering if I'm confusing this with something else. As I recall, it wasn't very big and was able to take the film in the canister, suck it out and spit out processed dried film the other end.

I thought they were using ID-11 in it.

If such a creature exists can anyone name one so I can start researching getting one. (if it does exist and anyone has some experience on it I'd be very interested to hear)

thanks

 

[DanielStone]

a camera store I used to work at here in LA has converted some Noritsu minilab machines to run "duraflo" or something like that, b/w chems for a "cheap" alternative to pro-lab b/w developing. no push/pull, and I'd highly recommend washing OUTSIDE of the machine, since the machines were really intended for c-41 use. Some have also been converted to run E-6, I think with the Tetenal 3/4-part kits, cause there ain't enough tanks for 10-step Kodak E-6.

just a thought. Unless you're a portrait studio, running a few rolls a day, and don't feel like getting wet, these can be a nice alternative for a quick turnaround. Lower quality IMO, but I'd still recommend doing an archival wash OUTSIDE of the machine, so for me, might as well do hand tanks or since you already have a Jobo 2500, stick with that IMO.

-Dan

 

[pellicle]

Dan

thanks for the info ... I agree it makes sence and I really can't see me doing more than 10 rolls a day.

 

[AgX]

One of the smallest roller-transport processing machines is the Thermaphot Film Processor.
It is designed for 135 and 120, and runs process C-41 only, though on request they will offer a b&w version.
It is still available new.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

A Jobo ATL1500 will automaticaly process your film - http://www.jobo.com/web/Processors.334.0.html

You of course need to pre-load the drum and reels.

They are available both new and second hand (http://www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/www.secondhanddarkroom.co.uk/info.php?p=5)

Martin

 

[F80p]

Do you think there still is a market for film processors???(i mean new ones)
I heard of one guy who is working on such a machine and intends to commercialize it.

 

[Mick Fagan]

The largest B&W film processor that I knew of and personally used, was a Kreonite 305mm wide roller transport machine converted for B&W film processing.

These units were basically colour paper processors, the manufacturer re-arranged their reversal paper processor for B&W film processing.

We ran them at 24ºC.

I don't think film processing in a roller transport machine is that great an idea, one bit of crud on a roller and you can get a train track on your film. We processed a lot of 8x10" B&W film in those days and this was the easiest and cheapest way to do this, not to mention the quickest

We used dip and dunk for C41 and E6.

The Jobo system is possibly the most cost effective for the small user, however generally you trade operator time.

For outright quality, Jobo is very hard to beat, apart from loading film on reels, the film isn't handled again until it's ready to be hung up, or, in the case of colour, given the last bath by hand (wearing gloves) in a tray or jug.

Mick.

 

[Mick Fagan]

F80p, yes there is a market for a commercial film processor, however it depends upon the price and how it actually does it.

I would think that in about 5 years time when the majority of hard working Jobo machines start to creak to a halt, is possibly when the new market will emerge.

What kind of film processor is it, rotary, din and dunk or roller transport?

Mick.

 

[Andrew K]

When I worked at the State Forensic Science lab years ago we had a Wing Lynch processor - you loaded the reels, put them into holders and then into the machine, and it did the rest - heated the chems etc..you could set the time and temp, and it did the rest.....all you then did was used a final wetting bath, then put the films in to dry....you could use 1 X 35mm reel, or up to 8 (or 10?? I can't remember for sure) so it was very economical...

I've seen C41 film processors converted to B&W - it's not all that hard to do once you clean everything, and the machines are dirt cheap (seen several for free here in OZ) now..but the dev times are not variable, and they use allot of chemistry to fill the tanks.....

Also Arkay has a small desk top auto processor - different models could do 4 or 8 rolls of 35mm (same number of 120 if you loaded 2 films on a reel) - they had 4 baths from memory - in the smaller one you loaded chemistry into each storage tank before processing (they were only small tanks - 500ml??). The larger one had maybe 5 liter tanks?

I never got along with the one I tested (for the life of me I can't get the hand of loading metal film reels)...thats why I like the Wing Lynch, as it used Patterson reels for 35/120, and the 5x4 holders were easy to load.....

If you can find one you could also convert a old KISS Film processor from the early KISS lab system - I had a paper processor that was converted to black and white that was good for proofing, and bought a film processor to convert to black and white...only reason I never ended up doing it was that my workflow changed and I found myself using a Jobo at the end of each day.....

 

[sebbex]

One of the smallest roller-transport processing machines is the Thermaphot Film Processor.
It is designed for 135 and 120, and runs process C-41 only, though on request they will offer a b&w version.
It is still available new.

I think I own the machine you are talking about. It is the Thermaphot FCP 41, fullly automatic filmprocessor for C-41. Fully automatic means in this case that you put in your filmroll with a plastic leader card in the maschine. After that it does all the processing automatically. Process, dryes and even cut the film from the roll. The film comes out processed and dry from the other end. The machine have several advantages as; fully automatic replenishment and the biggest is that it is very compact machine weight about 35kg. It also don´t need water supply or drain. Uses stabiliser. It also does all the processing in daylight, no need of darkness even when loading film in to it.

I run mine with Fuji Hunt C-41 chemistry, that is cheap and easy to find.

I bought mine as demo ex. that never had been used for the price of ~400e when new price was 8250e.

Technical data:
http://www.benboardman.com.au/bb/thermaphot/fcp/fcp41.pdf

Some pictures:
http://www.sebbe.fi/temp/apug/thermaphot_fcp41

/Sebbe

 

[AgX]

I don't think film processing in a roller transport machine is that great an idea, one bit of crud on a roller and you can get a train track on your film.

If one uses undercut rollers, contact could be limited to the rebates. Though one still would have to use full contact rollers for sqeezing at the end of each processing stage. (Well, one could use air knives...)

 

[F80p]

@Mick: there would be no reels!! and it would be similar to a dip and dunk.

I have to mention here that....that machine is intended for starters crowd.....Seeing all the new enthusiasm around film photography especially lomo. That could be a nice business opportunity.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Agx, air knives do work, but something like that would make the unit bigger. As for undercut rollers, yep they do work, but heaven help you if you put a roll in slightly off centre, don't ask how I know

eff eighty pee, you have me intrigued, as well as many others with that information. Looking forward to seeing or hearing about this in the future.

Mick.

 

[lux1969fr]

Filmprocesssor C41 Thermaphot FCP 41

Where can i find a Thermaphot FCP 41 ?

Who has one to sell ?

 

[SafetyBob]

Looks like we need someone over in Germany to go to the factory and see what a container full of these would cost us. Maybe then we could get the price down to something reasonable. Looks like a Thermaphot FCP 41 is just what the doctor ordered.

Honestly, how much more film would you blow through if you could simply process it with one of those?


Bob E.

 

[AgX]

To my understanding Thermaphot stopped years ago manufacturing af ALL their processors. Currently they offer repair of those units manufactured at them as well as off stock sale of their paper processors.