Ilford 2150RC processor for B&W prints: try or pass???

[TheToadMen]

Hi everyone,
I'm offered an old Ilford 2150RC processor for B&W prints. The asking price is Euro 30 and I would like to use/try it for my amateur analog photography just because I can (never done it before & not for commercial work).
For instance for quick processing paper negatives made with my home build pinhole cameras.

But I was wondering if the required chemicals are still available? I read it uses ILFORD 2000RT developer/replenisher and fixer/replenisher.
Or can you tell me if I can use other chemicals and in what concentrations?

I don't mind experimenting a bit - and loose Euro 30 trying - but maybe this is a Mission Impossible with an obsolete machine from the start??
I never used a print processor before. I always develop in trays.

I know the machine only works for RC paper, but that's just fine with me. http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/page.asp?n=105

Thank you in advance,
Bert from Holland

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If you're not going to be using it for running large volumes of prints, it's a waste of your time (and money) because these automated processors work best when the chemistry is fresh and replenished often. If you don't use it for running dozens or hundreds of prints at a time, you'll be spending more time mixing chemistry, throwing out unused chemistry, cleaning and doing maintenance on the machine than you will making prints. I don't know about this machine in particular as far as being obsolete or not, but the general principle of all of them is the same. You're probably better off with a Jobo, as they are designed to use minimal volumes of chemistry and they're easy to maintain.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear Bert,

2150 RC processors were excellent and cost over Euro's 4,000 New.

But they are volume machines meant to produce 100's of prints per week, so I think the Flying Camera is correct....we still make the 2150 chemistry and many machines are still active.

The machine is probably worth 200 or 300 Euro's just for parts depending on condition.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology LImited :

 

[TheToadMen]

Hello Simon,
Thank you for the quick reply. You're probably right. I'll go and see in what condition it is in. Maybe someone else can use it (for parts) here on APUG. Do you have any tips what check?
Bert

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Open it up and check that the gears and rollers are clean and free of chemical residue or crystals, and that there are no signs of rust on any of the exposed metal bits. Any rubber hoses and tubes should be soft and flexible with no obvious cracks and not brittle. Any belts that drive the rollers should likewise be clean and flexible, but still have tension on them - if chain-driven, the chains should be free of residue and still tight.

 

[TheToadMen]

Open it up and check that the gears and rollers are clean and free of chemical residue or crystals, and that there are no signs of rust on any of the exposed metal bits. Any rubber hoses and tubes should be soft and flexible with no obvious cracks and not brittle. Any belts that drive the rollers should likewise be clean and flexible, but still have tension on them - if chain-driven, the chains should be free of residue and still tight.

Thank you, Will do.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Also see if there are viable drip pans or how overflow chems are handled.

See if there are any signs of flat spots on the rollers, and if there are any missing roller clips or tensioning springs.

If there are any foam or soft rubber rollers, then I would take a pass. rebuilds can be quite expensive.

I have not seen a 2150, but have rebuilt a Fujimoto and a Kreonite. I never ran the Kreonite. i could never justify the volumes it could do versus the tank capacity, as Scott notes.