For Sale Fujimoto CP-31

[Michael Firstlight]

For my peeps here - this is not mine or my listing, but I just spotted this on eBay - a Fujimoto CP-31 14" automatic daylight (after loading) print processor. These don't show up often, and at $400 + reasonable shipping its a steal - appears to be in excellent condition. I own a CP-32 (with the optional W/D module) - wonderful processors and all the manuals available.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujimoto-I...009782?hash=item44112e18b6:g:BEAAAOSwLYBaGiwu

MFL

 

[Michael Firstlight]

Pair it up with a Super Sidekick 4 (SSK4) (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Phototherm...556111?hash=item2cc8fc8fcf:g:zCEAAOSwoRBZqznm) and you essentially have a fully programmable dry-to-dry automated film and print setup for less than $2500 USD. That's what I did (I picked up a used SK8 and had it upgraded by PhotoTherm to an SSK8 - they still service them and sell parts and accessories ( http://www.phototherm.com/support.html ). With my similar setup I don't need any water hook-up, separate water temp controls, nor drain - essentially a semi-dry wet darkroom and semi-daylight. I still have my Jobo CPP2, but only for one-off prints and prints larger than 11x14.

MFL

 

[Ed Sawyer]

That one does look in nice shape. If I didn't already have two I would be tempted! Ideally one would want the w/d unit and the replenisher too, though.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

That one does look in nice shape. If I didn't already have two I would be tempted! Ideally one would want the w/d unit and the replenishment unit too, though.

Definitely. I am still on the hunt for a CP-32 replenisher - specifically the 32 since it connects with an RS-232 data cable to the CP-32 unit. I love having the both the processor and W/D unit. I could have had a CP-51 with W/D for $200 recently - priced out the UPS pickup, packing, and shipping at $700, but the CP51's require 220V lines and use a lot more chemistry than the CP31/CP32's, so for the amount of prints over 11x14 (or 12x16 if I can get some Fuji Crystal Archive from the UK or Europe since that size doesn't seem to be available in the US) that I'd do I passed it up and will continue to use the Jobo CPP2.

If anyone sees a CP-32 replenishment unit please let me know - someone beat me to the one that went with my pair on the cheap -- uggh

MFL

 

[EdSawyer]

The replenisher is a fantastic unit. I have 2 of them (CP-31 full setups). It really makes for trouble-free printing. I think I have mine set to replenish at only the 2 or 3rd level up from the minimum, out of 7 settings I think. ( will have to double check). It's quite conservative with chemistry, but also very consistent. The CP31 connects with a DIN cable.

I have a CP51 also, and got it for about that price ($200-ish or so), with the W/D unit. It has built-in replenishment. It does use more chemistry and requires 220v but that is pretty minor to wire up. I haven't hooked it up yet but will likely do so at some point after I get a chance to give it a cleaning. I think I paid about $350 to have it shipped in 2 boxes from Canada a few years ago. Shipping was more than the unit itself. Great units, no doubt. The CP-31 full setup was about $10k new, and the CP-51 was around $15k.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

You've convinced me that having the replenishment unit for automatic replenishing is worth it - eliminates a PIA manual process. The ones for the CP-32 are extremely rare - it uses an RS-232 cable vs the CP-31's DIN cable to be driven off the main unit. I gather by the time Fujimoto replaced the workhorse CP-31 with the CP-32 that they didn't sell very many with so many analog darkrooms going digital at that time it was released. I was able to find a brand new CP-32 replenishment unit and got it for a fraction of the asking price - excited to have gotten one and now have all three parts - the CP-32 processor, the W/D unit, and now the replenishment unit. I see the CP-31 that was for sale on eBay was snapped up; I hope one of the peeps here got it - it was a very good unit/price.

Regards,
MIke

 

[EdSawyer]

Nice! Good that you were able to find one. Indeed the CP32 is more rare than the CP31. Odd that they changed that cable just for the sake of changing it - not sure why they would go to the trouble. But yes it's a hugely useful piece of the set up, saves much hassle. What are the differences between 31 and 32 in general? It doesnt' seem like there was much that could be improved, and they look almost identical from the outside.

It would be nice if someone got that one on ebay, it was extremely clean.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

The main improvements of the CP-32 over the CP-31 were relatively minor - all baths plus dryer temperature are controlled from the control panel on the main body. With the CP31, temperature of only the first bath was controllable and the dryer had a separate control. An optional feature is a connector which will allow you to connect the new CP32 processor to an existing CP31 Wash Dry via a new RS-232 cable connect.

 

[EdSawyer]

Good to know. Just to clarify the 2nd and 3rd baths on the CP-31 are controlled by analog dials rather than a digital control like the first bath. It's nice that the 3 plus dryer are all digital on the CP32.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

Yah, that's right. I never owned a CP-31, but if I understand correctly, there is a drawer below the control panel on the CP-31 where you manually set the temp - and on the CP-32 its all done digitally through the control panel and there isn't anything in the drawer below. If that's right, its more a patter of convenience and digital control, but mechanically I believe they are 100% identical.They probably had to go to the serial cable to be able to digitally control everything between the processor, dryer, and replenishment unit. I am not sure if there is a benefit of setting different temps for each of the various baths independently - do you or anyone know?

Mike

 

[EdSawyer]

Correct re: Drawer on CP31. I think I set those once and have never had to change them (or the digital one). I would bet the cable protocol is probably still the same, (e.g. doubtful they would add a full set of A/D conversion and new cable protocol just to add digital control to the temps of those tanks... maybe...? ) they probably changed the connector for a more robust connection, or maybe they were cheaper connectors than the DIN cable (or maybe they needed more wires than the DIN cable supported?). Hard to guess.

Not sure re: individual temp settings - maybe there is some reason to do so. I only use mine for C41 but others have used them for Cibachrome or B&W, so it might be useful in those conditions. The CP51 had add-in modules (e.g. basically a standalone stage with a rack and bath) that could be used to add additional stages to the CP51 (which only has 2 stages/tanks/racks) if desired. Interestingly the CP51 has 2 stages/tanks/racks in the W/D unit, whereas the CP31 has 3 in the main unit and just one in the W/D unit. So the both end up with 4 stages when used with the W/D units. There were 2 W/D unit options for the CP51, one that was designed for some specific process, I forget the details offhand but it was a neat solution to things. I run my CP31 as Dev, Blix, Wash, Wash in the 4 stages for RA4.

Interesting tidbit: the springs that tension the rollers together are made of titanium, for anti-corrosion properties.

 

[Michael Firstlight]

The CP-32 replenishment unit arrived - new in box with all of the tubing, uptake wands RS-232 cable etc, but the instructions are in Japanese. The lines are numbered 1.2.3- there are two sets on the replenisher, and I can see which colored lines on the processor map to 1, 2, and 3. I assume the top set on the replenishment unit go to the processor and the bottom set goes to 2 Liter replenishment bottles. The discussions I could find online indicate that the replenishment unit needs to be placed at or below the level of the processor, and the replenishment bottles below the replenisher, so I plan to put the whole shebang on a flat top cart long enough to hold the processor+dryer on top, and put the replenishment bottles and unit on the lower shelf - which will also make the unit mobile. I see there is a manual switch on the back - I assume I could prime the lines using that switch or use it to top off the processor if the levels drop too low. I've also read to use a low setting for replenishment to start - maybe 2 and experiment from there.

Does all of that sound right?

Regards,
Mike

 

[Ed Sawyer]

Yes on all that. I use setting 2 on the replenisher and it works fine, no need to set it higher in my experience. The switch is useful for emptying the lines after a session and for cleaning the replenishing system with water during cleanup/break-down. Also for priming it the first time when charging the lines during setup. I fill and empty mine every time, which adds probably an hour to my efforts, but the machine stays super clean that way.