First time using Fujimoto CP-30. Requesting help.

chazum0 · Jul 15, 2015

Hey guys.

Tonight I'm going to try printing with a Fujimoto CP-30 paper processor at my university darkroom. The processor itself was donated to my school a few years ago and has remained on a shelf ever since. I took it down and gave it a good inspection and ran it through with some water and everything seems to work just fine.

From what I've learned by searching around various places it seems as though most people (with three bath roller transport processors) use a Dev, Blix, Wash process. However, I've also seen people mention that they prefer Pre-wet, Dev, Blix, and then wash and dry outside the processor. Since my experience is limited to printing RA-4 with a jobo drum I would assume the best practice would be Dev, Stop, Blix, and then wash and dry outside the processor. This way I can minimize the effect of dev carry over into my blix and hopefully extend the life of the solution. But since there seems to be no consensus on this procedure I'm hoping that you guys can help me out.

FWIW I'm using:

KODAK EKTACOLOR RA Developer Replenisher RT (I'm choosing to not use the developer starter.)
KODAK EKTACOLOR RA Bleach-Fix and Replenisher.

mnemosyne · Jul 16, 2015

I recommend you try to get hold of a copy of the Fujimoto instructions. This is important, you can easily kill such a unit in short time by not following the correct procedure for setup and running. Processors have to be levelled, pumps primed etc.

Then, download the Kodak instructions on Ektacolor chemicals for RT systems. It will answer a lot of questions.

Standard setup for RA4 is DEV, BLIX, rinse (or STAB). In a RT system, the rollers will normally remove excess solution from the paper and any carry-over should therefore be minimal and will be taken care of by replenishment of BLIX. I would not bother with a STOP bath unless you encounter problems. The situation is different when working with drums or trays, obviously, as carry-over of DEV to BLIX is a much bigger problem there. I don't know how the rinse stage in the Fujimoto is designed, but I would probably give the paper additonal rinse outside the machine for peace of mind.

Pre-wet is not necessary in a RT processor, it might even be detrimental. I have no knowledge of the Fujimoto, but in the case of my own processor the DEV tank/rack system differs from the others in the way it is designed and the solutions are circulated (it has an additional filter device and makes use of an array of "jets", in lack of a better term, to help uniform DEV). So, if you use the DEV rack for pre-wet and the BLIX rack for DEV, you might get inferior results.

Starter can be ignored when using solutions one shot. However, if you replenish (manually or automatically), which is what you normally do with a RT system, you should make use of the starter solution and mix your initial batch of DEV according to instructions. If you do not replenish in a RT system, your results will not be repeatable and quality will gradually suffer.

EdSawyer · Jul 16, 2015

I have and use a CP31 for RA4 exclusively. I use the same chemistry. I have it set up as Dev, Blix, wash (wash, and dry - using the CP31 wash/dry unit). As mentioned above, no real need for a stop, but the manual is worth reading esp. regarding priming the pumps and doing a 3-pass rinse/drain when breaking the machine down after usage. These are great processors, probably the best desktop RA4 machines available. I run mine at about 35C for temps.

AgX · Jul 16, 2015

mnemosyne, what do you mean by "pumps have to be primed".

In best case pumps are selffilling, otherwise they have to be filled. Pumps from processors i expect to be selffilling

mnemosyne · Jul 17, 2015

AgX said:
mnemosyne, what do you mean by "pumps have to be primed".

In best case pumps are selffilling, otherwise they have to be filled. Pumps from processors i expect to be selffilling

to prime = to fill

JoJo · Jul 17, 2015

I use a CP31 for RA4 since some years and never used a stop bath. Normal configuration is dev, blix, water and then let the paper fall in a big tray of additional water. I always use 2 1/2 liter bottles for dev and blix. When the chemicals seem to be nearly exhausted, I mix half of the old chemicals with half of fresh chemical (replenisher only, no starter).
I never used starter at all, even with fresh solution.

After each session, I drain the chemicals back into bottles and let the machine run with clear water for some minutes.
Also I clean the racks with a sponge.
The CP31 is a very nice processor. I would like to have a CP51 but these are very rare to get.

Joachim

chazum0 · Jul 17, 2015

mnemosyne said:
I recommend you try to get hold of a copy of the Fujimoto instructions. This is important, you can easily kill such a unit in short time by not following the correct procedure for setup and running. Processors have to be levelled, pumps primed etc.

Then, download the Kodak instructions on Ektacolor chemicals for RT systems. It will answer a lot of questions.

Standard setup for RA4 is DEV, BLIX, rinse (or STAB). In a RT system, the rollers will normally remove excess solution from the paper and any carry-over should therefore be minimal and will be taken care of by replenishment of BLIX. I would not bother with a STOP bath unless you encounter problems. The situation is different when working with drums or trays, obviously, as carry-over of DEV to BLIX is a much bigger problem there. I don't know how the rinse stage in the Fujimoto is designed, but I would probably give the paper additonal rinse outside the machine for peace of mind.

Pre-wet is not necessary in a RT processor, it might even be detrimental. I have no knowledge of the Fujimoto, but in the case of my own processor the DEV tank/rack system differs from the others in the way it is designed and the solutions are circulated (it has an additional filter device and makes use of an array of "jets", in lack of a better term, to help uniform DEV). So, if you use the DEV rack for pre-wet and the BLIX rack for DEV, you might get inferior results.

Starter can be ignored when using solutions one shot. However, if you replenish (manually or automatically), which is what you normally do with a RT system, you should make use of the starter solution and mix your initial batch of DEV according to instructions. If you do not replenish in a RT system, your results will not be repeatable and quality will gradually suffer.

I have thoroughly read all applicable technical documents for both the kodak chemistry and the fujimoto processor, however, the CP-30 appears to be very different from its successor, the CP-31. There's quite a bit of information on the CP-31 on the APUG forum and other places on the web, but very little on the CP-30. The essential differences are that the CP-31 is much more "digital" than the CP-30.

I have only been able to find a pdf for the CP-31, so I'm following what seems to still apply.

First time using Fujimoto CP-30. Requesting help.

chazum0

mnemosyne

EdSawyer

AgX

mnemosyne

JoJo

chazum0

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