Fuji FB 232b c41 minilab

Hi

I have the option to buy a working unit aand wanted to know if any havge experioence with this machine.
i am looking for infos on kinks or things to look for

i am allready developing c41 regularly in a jobo atl 2+ machine, so this is more an upgrade for me.

thanks

Wow, that would be quite the upgrade, I used a Fuji film processor, not sure if was the 232b, unlike printers the technology did not change much over the years. The lab I worked at had 2, we processed up to 1000 rolls a day, average was less than 500, towards the end as digital took over less than 20 a day. I live near a photo shop that still has a mini lab set up, they run their C42 processors 2 days a week and process around 30 rolls a week. I recommend that you use Hunt chemistry, my boss told me he tired another brand but had issues, don't recall what the problems he had. Ours were plumemed, I think it may be possible to use a bucket to collect wash water.

hi paul

could you inquire what kind of fuji hunt chems they use and maybe also how often they change them
as i am try to make an estimate of the future investments

I allready use fuji chems for my jobo
and 20-30 rolls a week is a good staring point
I my self will have 5-10 rolls and now i could develop more for customers with more consitent results

back in 2007 we used tetenal chems for the minilab. i thin k it was an agfa or noritsu model

Sorry the lab I worked for closed in 2013, have spoken with the owner in many years the mini lab near still in business near me uses Nortutisu with Kodak chemistry. You can contact Fuji, they still sell C41 processors and printers.

The Fp232b uses Fuji CN16Q chemicals.
You could try alternatives brands just so long as they are compatible with CN16Q.
These Fuji machines are very reliable and well made. There are a few points to look after and you should have years of good service from the machine.

• Before you buy, have a look at the outside of the machine. Is it clean looking? A machine with lots of chemical splashes and dribbles usually means they weren't too careful with it.
• Open the film load lid. It should open up easily. Look inside here, it is clean and tidy? The film sits into little holders. These holders should slide forward and spring back easily. The film cutter should work smoothly. and the entrance to the processor section should be clean.

• Open the processor section cover. If the machine is transporting (even without a film), when you open the lid it should alarm.
• With the lid open, remove the cross over in sequence 2,3,4,5,6,7 remove them towards the dryer and then out. (otherwise you can contaminate the dev.)
• The cross over should look good, no chemical buildup and not cracked.
• (helpful hint: get yourself 2 10x8 size B&W paper developing trays. Put your cross over into these, put them into a sink, and fill the trays with water. Leave the cross overs overnight, soaking and they will always be clean and free of grip)
• Look down into the top of each tank. Again no chemical crystallisation, and should be clean enough. Examine the drive chain. It should have no chemical crystallisation on it. It should look like a well-kept bicycle chain.
• Examine the drive belt in each of the film racks. Be careful lifting N1 rack as it is the longest. Just lift it 5-6 inches and view the toothed belt. There should be no nicks or fraying. When lifting N2 rack, BE VERY CAREFUL Slow and gently as if you splash any of N2 (bleach) into tank N1 (developer) you will get contamination and have to dump N1 tank (then mix new dev with starter)
• Examine the film exit rollers where it goes into the dryer.
• Check dryer air filter (its at the end of the dryer section) should be clean.
• Open replenisher lid and see if all mixing sticks can move freely.
• Open circulation filter section and examine filter holders, they should twist and pop up no problem. Make sure you get a supply of circulation filters and change them each month.
• While there examine replenisher tubing and see that they pop in and out of their holding (for checking rep rates).

• Take off the main side cover (the side of the machine that has Fuji FP232B written on it)
• Look inside, down low, below rep tanks. it should be fairly tidy and cleanish. There should be no leaks or pools of chemicals.
• Check the waste tanks, take them out, and examine the flooring, should have no pools.

I hope I haven't made it sound too complicated.

Will you be viewing the machine in someone's premises?
If you buy will they drain, secure it, and transport it for you?
And ask any more questions and I will try and help as best I can.
Let us know how you get on, please.