Four rolls of 135 in JOBO 2520 tank?

[henbo]

I have a small backlog of 35mm film (E6 & C41) to develop. I have two JOBO Duoset 2502 reels and a JOBO 2520 tank. Is it possible (and a good idea) to have two 2502 reels in this tank at the same time? It seems like two reels can fit in the tank at the same time, but on the tank it says only two rolls of 135 films at a time.

As I would be able to load two rolls of 135 films in each reel, I assume it would be possible to develop four rolls at the same time. I’m using a JOBO CPE2.
I would increase the liquid to 500ml as that fits better with the kit size of the Tetenal C41 & E6 kits.

If this is not a feasible solution, is there then another good option for developing four or even six rolls of 135 films at the same time in my CPE2?

Thanks!

 

[Mick Fagan]

Henning, I develop 135 films by four at a time in my CPE2 (with lift but that doesn’t make a difference). I use the 1500 series of tanks to do this by using the 1510 tank and the 153 module.

This works out to require 470ml of solution, I always round up to 500ml.

The CPE2 will handle this easily. I have used 600ml of solution and 5 rolls of film, using the 1520 tank and the 1530 module, but that was a bit of a strain I felt, plus the motor was working quite hard.

The 600ml solution was considered about the best for the CPE2 unit as it was not too big a strain on the motor and one could develop the biggest number of 135 films in one hit. It was so popular that Ilford in Germany during the 80’s sold their ID11 developing kits to make 600ml of solution, the only place in the world I have seen that size from Ilford.

I believe that the Jobo was so invasive in the very late seventies in Germany that basically it became almost a standard practice for German people to develop their slide film in. Due to the ability to be precise, repetitive and economical. B&W developing just naturally followed.

I always use the slow speed when developing film on my CPE2.

Mick.

 

[henbo]

Thanks a lot, Mick.

I didn't think about the 1500 series from JOBO, for some reason. I already have a 1510 tank, which doesn’t see much use, so the 1530 module seems like a great and fairly cheap alternative. A solution with a volume of 470ml (or 500ml) would fit perfectly to my intention. It's good to hear about your experience with a solution of 600ml in the CPE2, so I will stay away from that.

Thanks again for your insights and tips they are very helpful.

 

[Neal]

Dear Henning,

The 252X tanks will only handle 2 rolls of 35mm film at a time. The larger 255X tanks will develop 5 rolls at a time.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

 

[henbo]

Thank you very much for your reply, Neal.

The 255X tanks would be convenient for processing a larger batch of 4x5 sheet-film as well. On the other hand it's not that often that I have that many sheet films of the same type to develop at the same time.

Maybe both a 1530 and 255X would be the ideal solution on a longer perspective.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Thank you very much for your reply, Neal.

The 255X tanks would be convenient for processing a larger batch of 4x5 sheet-film as well. On the other hand it's not that often that I have that many sheet films of the same type to develop at the same time.

Maybe both a 1530 and 255X would be the ideal solution on a longer perspective.

I use the bottom of the 2850 paper tank for developing 4x5 sheet film. I use the 2508 Sheet film loader, and a single 2509 reel, does everything for me. The solution capacity for rotary processing in that tank is 270ml, I use 300ml.

Using the 2509 reel, which holds six sheets, I only develop four sheets at a time. When I experimented with six sheets on the 2509 reel I had uneven development. The problem as I figured it out, was that the developer couldn't get in-between the very closely placed sheets of film, so I leave the central slots empty and only use the external and internal slots.

With a minimum amount of 1500 and 2500 series tanks and reel(s) you can do almost anything.

Mick.

 

[Neal]

I find the 2509n reels (with the baffles that snap in place) develop 6 sheets very nicely.

Neal Wydra

 

[Mick Fagan]

I find the 2509n reels (with the baffles that snap in place) develop 6 sheets very nicely.

Neal Wydra

Neal, thank you for that.

I should have clarified that I don't have the baffles for my single 2509 reel, it pre-dates the baffle that was added at a later date. Probably after people complained about uneven development.

Mick.

 

[Neal]

Dear Mick,

You are certainly correct. There have been quite a few posts over the years agreeing with your observation.

Neal

 

[fotch]

Can the baffle be added to the older tanks? If so, is it available separately? TY

 

[henbo]

Using the 2509 reel, which holds six sheets, I only develop four sheets at a time. When I experimented with six sheets on the 2509 reel I had uneven development. The problem as I figured it out, was that the developer couldn't get in-between the very closely placed sheets of film, so I leave the central slots empty and only use the external and internal slots.

With a minimum amount of 1500 and 2500 series tanks and reel(s) you can do almost anything.

I'm also using the 2509 reel and the baffles. Most of the time, I follow the same approach as you, when shooting b/w. I still haven't tried to develop 4x5 sheets in E6 or C41 as I would like to be a bit more confident with the two processes first.

Thanks again for sharing your experience, Mick.

 

[Neal]

Dear TY,

The baffles snap onto the reel, not the tank so I'm pretty sure you will need a 2509n reel to use them. CatLABS of JP has them listed as sold out but I'll bet you can order them. ebay is also a great place to find them.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra