I Love My Jobo's

[Bob Carnie]

but unfortunately it is harder and harder to find parts, service and maintain my old friends.
I have two units currently working that do not owe me a dime, I can see a couple of more years of service but in these times I am not sure how long I can keep them on life support.
An option is to buy as many existing units and put them in storage and if forced to pay rent on a parts inventory I will do so.

Here is a couple question's, Is there any current new processing rotary systems being developed, marketed or in production that I am not aware of?
Is this a niche market that should be filled or is there even any interest??

For the last 12 years I have ran quite a few thousand rolls and sheets on these machines and they have served me really well. I plan to continue processing for at least another 20 years so I need something to replace Jobo.

I love the automation features and I know I could hand process, or manually put tanks on rollers and do it this way, but I am hoping, reaching out , wondering and flat out begging * is there not in this day and age someone capable of filling this niche , or am I doomed*.

I have two left hands, and do not know a circuit from a stepper motor so doing it myself is not an option.

Surley on a site of 28 thousand film lovers, I am not the only one concerned and dreading a Jobo less world.

I am not interested in going back to deep tank, dip and dunk so posts in this direction really are not helpful.

I love my Jobo's

 

[rcoda]

I believe Jobo has started (will start) manufacturing again, unless something has happened since I heard that last year.

 

[Deleted member 19578]

Jobo replacement? PhotoTherm!

Have you looked into the PhotoTherm line of film processors? They look like they might fit the bill... Plus- it looks like they are going to continue supporting their film processing equipment, as they've updated them over the last couple of years.

 

[df cardwell]

Dead Link Removed

I think JOBO makes a Puppy Conversion Device.
You'll need some way to get them to alternate direction,
but maybe if you have two wheels, belt drive, and a differential....

don

ps: PhotoTherm is great stuff.

 

[Mahler_one]

LOL...great df!

Seriously now, I thought Jobos will continue to be serviced through Omega-Sattler ( or is it Satter?). I received excellent service from them when I needed a small new part for my CPP unit. Call them up and see what the scope is.

Ed

 

[Changeling1]

I called Omega-Satter a few weeks ago and was assured that the processors were discontinued but that they would continue to service and repair them. B&H sold its remaining CPP-2s for $3400.00 a pop.

 

[edebill]

I believe Jobo has started (will start) manufacturing again, unless something has happened since I heard that last year.

Do you have any kind of citation for this? Jobo USA has removed the CPE-2 from their website, but they still have the CPP-2. They never marked either as end of life (that I could see), so I'm not sure if that means they're producing them.

I've been having problems with flow marks on B&W film processed in my CPE-2 and was thinking of upgrading to something that could handle the Expert drums, but I'd rather not sink that much money into a discontinued system.

 

[rcoda]

Sorry, I can't recall, but I remember reading about it online. Yes, the CPP-2 is still on their website. If I can remember where I read it I will post back.

Do you have any kind of citation for this? Jobo USA has removed the CPE-2 from their website, but they still have the CPP-2. They never marked either as end of life (that I could see), so I'm not sure if that means they're producing them.

I've been having problems with flow marks on B&W film processed in my CPE-2 and was thinking of upgrading to something that could handle the Expert drums, but I'd rather not sink that much money into a discontinued system.

 

[Robert Hall]

I would love something as well. I need a part for my Jobo and found it in China for $6. Jobo through Omega-Satter wanted $276 for it. I mean, really. Anyway, I hope to get a couple more years out of it and will just go to using drums in tempered water and do it by hand when that time comes.

I also have a couple 12x20 BTZS tubes but when I come home with 40 sheets of 12x20 film, it's a daunting task regardless.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Thanks to John Moore for the link to photo therm.

just got off the phone with them and the gentleman I talked to was estatic to find out about APUG.

here is the deal that I am going to try with them..

#one problem with any new system is we all have invested hundreds to thousands of dollars on reels and tanks, large and small.
I am not interested in reinventing the wheel, basically they manufacture so if they have a bright machinist or tech person working there , modifiying the drive cog to match all our tanks, whether they are Jobo tanks or BTZ tanks I see it a one time modification for them.

I am going to talk with their tech next week, going fishing for 4 days,
I will report back any progress.
But for those of you reading this post , give them a call and show them the potential, don't sit back and wait , let them know it is worth their while to look at all options, price included.

For a lab like myself , I am willing to invest in two machines that will work easily with the jobo tanks, at a price they want.
I am sure for smaller units they can modify to different budgets.

I want to replace Alt2300 and Alt 3 units so that would be one price.

I am sure if you have table top units that do not require the usage I need , as a group you may be able to negotiate something.

I am excited at this prospect , probably as much as Photo Therm must be at the potential of putting 28thousand die hard film users into their domain.

 

[df cardwell]

Bob

If I recall, Callow ran a PhotoTherm device when he was in Motown.

 

[PVia]

It will be interesting to see what PhotoTherm will provide for you.

I have one of their units, bought used...it's wonderful for what I need, however the trough for the tanks is very narrow and may be able to retrofit a few Jobo tanks but I can't see it fitting an Expert tank. That would take modification to the body shell itself...

...and just FYI, the PhotoTherm units pump heated water into the tanks, rather than using a water bath around the tank.

BTW, I'm looking for a 4x5 insert for a PhotoTherm tank, if anyone has one around...