Ilford Cap 40, Durst Printo, JOBO, or Fujimoto processor? or trays?

[markd514]

Looking for something easy that works great! I have no need for a lot of volume.
I have tried trays. Works. Sitting in the dark for 3 minutes is no fun.

Jobo is okay....I have a cpe2

Wondering about a printo or cap 40. Fujimoto are pretty steep on ebay.

Has anyone used them? Would like input.

thanks

 

[Renato Tonelli]

I have used the CAP-40, Jobo and and Durst Printo.

The Jobo is great if you need to make just a few prints once in a while; It is an excellent all-around processor (both film and prints with one processor).
The CAP-40 is good but it all it is designed to do is Ilfochrome (Cibachrome) prints.

The Durst Printo wins for me: absolutely reliable; it can be configured for either Ilfochrome or RA-4 by simply repositioning a few gears; no paper jams; no paper misfeed; no pumps to keep the chemistry circulating. The downside: maximum paper width (not length) is 12inches; it is costly and harder to find.

 

[ndrs]

From experience:

Printo is noisy and has an unreasonably large number of moving parts. Thermostates tend to stop working. It does the job though. I gave mine away.

CAP-40 is excellent but you would need to modify it for RA-4. This can be done by replacing pulleys, or electronically by changing the electrical frequency of the power supply. Paper moves straight through in CAP-40, without any bends. Great design, very easy to maintain. Footprint is rather on the larger side. Minimum paper size is 18 cm. I'm using one for Ilfochrome, another one is waiting conversion.

Thermaphot UCP 403 aka ICP-42 is very similar to CAP-40 but allows to change the speed and can be used with a dryer unit.

There are other Thermaphots, ACP xxx. I'm using ACP 302 for RA-4. Works great and takes little space.

 

[markd514]

Yeah, I have the cpe2 jobo, and wonder if I should upgrade to the cpp2 so I can do 16x20. I don't have the lift, and actually I don't know if it is beneficial to have the tank lift.

 

[DREW WILEY]

You aren't being very specific. Is this indeed for RA4, how big are the prints you wish to make, and are you willing to replenish your chemisty or intend to do it one-shot? How good is your darkroom ventilation? (VERY important)

 

[markd514]

Sorry. Yes it is for ra4. 16x20 is the largest print. Film size is 35mm and 120. Hopefully 4x5 in the future. I have a 120 cfm fan but I still smell chems in trays. I think I need another fan.

 

[markd514]

I have been using a quantity of chemistry over and over then dumping when I think it had enough. Still working on the process.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I don't print color much any more. However I have used the Printo, Ilford ICP42 and the Jobo for color work. My thoughts:

Chemicals oxidized much faster in the Printo than the Ilford ICP42 (same basic machine as the CAP40). But the Printo was much easier to clean, though it needed it more often because if formed tar if you left it over night. The printo only does 12" wide vs 16. It's easy to use a stop bath in the Cap40 since you have the third tank installed by default. With the Printo you need to pick up an extra tank in most setups I've seen for sale. Printo also produced more fumes (probably related to it oxidizing quicker from more air exposure).

I much prefer the roller transport machines to using the Jobo, though Jobo does work well. I used it for larger prints, up to 20x14.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Per ventilation, you need to pull the air away from you and over the processor, then out, with the makeup air coming from behind. Hypothetical CFM is offset by outside humidity, air friction due to bends of corrugation in the ducting, etc. I have a very nice 20" roller transport machine, but have never even plugged it in, though I have seen it in use prior to my ownership. Would like to get rid of it to save
space. I prefer to use drums, but not Jobo. They fill and drain way too slow for me.

 

[markd514]

Per ventilation, you need to pull the air away from you and over the processor, then out, with the makeup air coming from behind. Hypothetical CFM is offset by outside humidity, air friction due to bends of corrugation in the ducting, etc. I have a very nice 20" roller transport machine, but have never even plugged it in, though I have seen it in use prior to my ownership. Would like to get rid of it to save
space. I prefer to use drums, but not Jobo. They fill and drain way too slow for me.

They do drain slowly!
Eureka!!!
I cant believe it! I broke out my old unicolor 8x10 drum and motor base. Processed room temp, and compared to jobo at 100 degrees. I got the SAME result but the jobo is a PITA! prerinse, develop, stop, wash, blix.....My unicolor drum is just 2 steps of 2 oz chemicals and toss away! I use a prewash now, because little developer came out. I wanted a prewet. Gorgeous prints with no hassle!!!! The heck with those expensive processors!!! I even tried the room temp and jobo with drastic time changes....2 minutes room temp and 3, with unicolor compared to jobo 100 degree at 45 s and 100 s.....NO significant change!!! I am sure film is a different story. Love this stuff!!!

 

[markd514]

I only process about 5 to 10 8x10 a week and a few larger. Not high volume. The idea of a slot processor sounds good, but I am wondering if I would regret it mainly because of cleaning it. I guess you have to pull the roller mechanisms out everytime you use it and rinse them, and clean everything. Might be more trouble than it is worth. Maybe just use the drums on motorbase at room temp or jobo.
Any one have experience with this and my same thoughts?