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I'm afraid of my JOBO... Help me to be brave

I've had no issues with graininess or mottling with the Jobo with the possible exception of the first few sheets when I was getting used to the volume requirements and pouring technique. Now, when I tried using a Unicolor drum, that was different - I think it rotated too fast and overcooked everything I was putting on it. Just run the Jobo at the slowest possible speed and you'll be fine.
 
If you're in any possible doubt as to the wonder of a Jobo for B&W, consider how easy the washing process is with continuous agitation! You can wash more thoroughly without ending up looking like a lobster and having people question your entertainment choices.

The time shortening required to do rotary depends heavily on the developer. For example, XTOL requires very little time reduction but Rodinal requires a lot and the latter's tonal curve will be different (more highlight contrast) compared to inversion.

If you prewet, the time extension is further reduced, but the effect there depends on the particular emulsion because they home different amounts of water so you will need to test.
 

I understand this.

For example, that's how I shot this:



However, for a lot of what I shoot, shooting in that way would completely kill what I'm going for. Not always, for my fine art stuff, it can be more staged, but for the fashion work, it simply would never work.
 

It's totally worth subscribing and helping keep the site afloat, it's a give back I'm honored to be a part of.
 

WOW that is sharp! especially love the texture and tones on the beard! That's 4x5 or 8x10? See if you subscribed you could post all the details, film type, size, camera etc, then we could all oohh and ahhh at you
 
StoneNYC said:
It's totally worth subscribing and helping keep the site afloat, it's a give back I'm honored to be a part of.
Click to expand...

I'll subscribe tomorrow, because, you know, I'm a giver...

Speaking of which, It's still no there yet, but I'm getting closer to how I want it:



Masking off everything but the sky so I can lay in a gradient, and doing a bit of bleaching...
 
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StoneNYC said:
WOW that is sharp! especially love the texture and tones on the beard! That's 4x5 or 8x10? See if you subscribed you could post all the details, film type, size, camera etc, then we could all oohh and ahhh at you
Click to expand...

I said I'll join! Ha!

Let's see, that was 4x5. Delta 100, tray developed in DDX 1:4 if I recall correctly.
 
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Wow, I just bought a 4x5.

This should be interesting.
 

I admit I am a butt guy... But also love the shot, her stance and exposure so far isn't bad, wonder how it would look pulled though, hmmm...

Thanks for the preview!


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Wow, posted yesterday and there are now four pages. I'm not about to read them all.

I made the switch. Started black and white in the old days in conventional tanks. Got a CPE2 in the 90s when I got into 4x5 and deep tanks used too much chemistry. I've been developing (almost) all of my black and white in it ever since. Come on in, the water's fine. Works great. The "almost" proviso is that I do use Diafine in regular tanks when I want what that two solution developer gives me.
 
All this talk of processors... If I could, I would buy something that would handle E-6 for 35mm and 120 but I haven't a clue about these things. I admire you all...


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
StoneNYC said:
All this talk of processors... If I could, I would buy something that would handle E-6 for 35mm and 120 but I haven't a clue about these things. I admire you all...


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

A relatively cheap Jobo CPE2 will do that for you, if you were closer and used the same voltage I have one here you could have had.
 
StoneNYC said:
I admit I am a butt guy... But also love the shot, her stance and exposure so far isn't bad, wonder how it would look pulled though, hmmm...

Thanks for the preview!


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I actually want her almost blown out, but with retaining detail everywhere else. Didn't have a red filter handy.
 
Matthew Cherry said:
I actually want her almost blown out, but with retaining detail everywhere else. Didn't have a red filter handy.
Click to expand...

Oh I know what you're going for I just meant I wonder what it would look like the other way. But it looks great so far


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Ed Bray said:
A relatively cheap Jobo CPE2 will do that for you, if you were closer and used the same voltage I have one here you could have had.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm so lost with this since I have never seen one, in a visual hands on guy, until I do it myself I can't grasp stuff, no matter how many times someone explains it.


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The Jobos, particularly the CPE2 and 2+, are wonders of minimalist design in a way. They're simple enough to tempt me to call them gutless wonders, but they do what they need to do very simply, easily and well. There are almost certainly YouTube videos which might help show how they work if you're a visual learner.
 
I've used my CPE for bw and e6, 35mm thru 4x5, works great. I bought it without the lift and added that later on. I've recently decided I prefer it without the lift since I stopped doing e6. If I start c41 I will put it back on.
 
I wish I could see one in person, it's hard to understand what you guys are talking about :/


~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I used a CPP2 without a lift in the mid 90s for all my C41 and EP2 processing and at that time was a full time Social Photographer so was using it almost every day. This was sold along with all my other darkroom equipment in the late 90s when I moved over to digital for my work.

Since moving away from Digital back to film last year I was fortunate to get another CPP2 with a lift at a great price and can't believe how much easier the lift makes the processing and now believe how much easier it could have made my life in the 90s had I had one.
 
I've never not had a lift, so I can only imagine, but it seems like it would be a real PITA.

I have a feeling I'm going to feel the same way, if I ever upgrade this unit and start using the Expert Drums.
 
I got lucky and got into it when you could still afford the Expert drums (don't think I paid more than $200 each for my 3005, 3006 and 3010 drums. Might have paid $300 for the 3063). The Expert drums are a must for sheet film, and the lift is a must for the Expert drums. Not that you CAN'T make it work (I actually hand-rolled some 8x10 in my 3005 Expert drum the other day, and they came out ok), but life is so much easier WRT filling and dumping chemistry via the lift. Perfect results every time when using the Jobo.
 
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