JOBO 3005 Vs 3010 ?

Ok.... so here's the deal...
I've got one of each... the 3005, and the 3010.
Both were gifts to me from a lab that had'nt used the JOBO for years, much less done anything LF....

Recently there was an add for someone wanting to buy an Expert Drum, and while it was not either of the models I have on hand, it DID get me thinking of turning the gear into $.

One caveat - I hate to give up gear... especially if it's top of the line stuff...

The question is - should I keep the 3010, knowing that I have no intentions of using 8x10, but thinking that I could process up to 10 sheets of 4x5...

OR

Do I sell the 3010, and keep the 3005, b/c five sheets is not that far a cry from ten, and I'm not terribly bothered by doing the development twice, 5 sheets at a time...

One last bit of info - I've been processing on the 6 sheet spiral holders (JOBO) for some time now, without any troubles whatsoever.. no streaking, no uneven development.. etc... I have the parts to do up to 18 sheets at a bang with 3 spirals in one tank...

I guess what I'm really after are those bits of wisdom that only come from using the expert drums - like - volumes of developer per drum, is it worth doing 5 (4x5) sheets in the 3010 if I had to? Or is it too much developer wasted? Is the drying of the 3005 so difficult that I wouldnt ever want to develop twice, back to back, b/c I couldn't get it dry enough conveninently?

If I'm getting even results with the spirals, would I really really be floored by the expert drums? (I'll just have to try, is my stock answer... but maybe someone can shed some light...)

AND - assuming I decide to unload the Expert drums, is 200$ off the mark for pristine equipment (no sponge plungers with either). . . .

Hm. . . thanks for your thoughts...

Keep both of them. One day you will maybe do 8x10. These drums are great and will be rear to get soon.
Use the 3010 for 4x5. You can process 5 sheets with less chemical. No problem.
Best,
Guillaume

When I bought my 3006 (with the sponge on a stick) I paid $245. Not a great deal but not a bad deal either. I've had fine results developing two batches in a row. I think if you offered your tanks at $200 they'll sell fast even with out the sponge stick. I also truly hate you that you're lucky enought to be given these tanks

The advantage of these drums is you can do large sizes as well as smaller. I've developed 6.5cm x 9cm, 4x5 and 5x7 in mine. With the way you do your 4x5's I think you're limited to either roll film or 4x5. Sounds like it works great for you so you have every right to be torn. If you're going to shoot 5x7 and up you might as well keep one of the drums.

Good luck.

Thanks to both you guys, Guillaume & MT (love the nicname!)
Ya, I could hardly believe it when I hauled home the loot.. the two experts came with a (my secong) CPP2 + lift... which is great, cause I can see that my main unit is getting worn, and will need to have parts replaced within a year or so..

AND, indeed, I DO want to hang on to one of these f*ers... I know that someday not to far from now they will be impossible to pick up...

Ah.. and thanks for the heads up on the 3010, same # of sheets (as the 3005) with LESS chemistry! that always puts a smile on my face!

I am not sure I would do 4x5 in the 3005 drum. I would be afraid of the film sinking to the bottom and then being very hard to get out. Also the smaller film may not stay flat against the walls without the ridges present in the 3010. So I say keep them both if you may shoot 4x5 and 5x7 or 8x10. If you won't shoot over 4x5 sell the 3005 and buy a new lens or film.

Hmm... thanks Gebhardt, I'll put that into the magic formula that will decide what will become of the JOBO drums .. . I guess I'll just have to give them a whirl to see what I'm missing, and what the hangups are...

Noah,

I would keep both tanks until you are sure.

I am in transition from 4x5 to 8x10, use a Jobo CPP2 and both 3005 and 3010 tanks. When I have tried back to back developing in the same day, the problem has not been drying the tank draining upside down with the sponge on a stick. The problem has been drying the inside of the lid so that it doesn’t spit fluid the first time the tank spins. This I am told causes streaks. To deal with this potential problem I have simply used the lid from the other tank. They are interchangeable. My film drying capability keeps me from wanting to run three loads in a day. Perhaps also my need to maintain some level of sanity.

Another approach. In an earlier thread someone mentioned filling any Expert tank with water and then film. This eliminated water being spun onto dry film and thus eliminated streaking. I haven’t tried this, but it sounds right.

Good luck. It is one of those decisions that will go well either direction you take.

John Powers

Thanks John, I really gotta say.... every five minutes the humming and hawing (in my head) goes a new dirrection. . ..
I guess eventually I'll shoot something that I dont mind being "expermental" about... and acutally do some side by side testing of the drums, both 3005 and 3010, vs. reels... I just have not had any probs with the reels... but then again, I have not developed "expertly" yet either
'tis at least a "good" stuck.