Jobo and b&w film?

[wilfbiffherb]

does anyone here use a jobo (i have a cpe 2) for developing their black and white film?

 

[Denis P.]

All of the Apug forums have a nice "Search" function. Learn how to use it, it's not difficult.
Once you open the "B&W: Film, Paper, Chemistry" forum (where you posted this), you should use "Search forum" - just above the "Last post by" link (see attached screenshot).
Enter "JOBO" as a search term, and you'll get more reading material than you'll be able to read in a week.

 

[eclarke]

Or just answer him. My answer is yes, wouldn't do it any other way and I have done them all...EC

 

[wilfbiffherb]

you use the slowest rotation speed? i havent a clue on the procedure for black and white. is it just pre rinse, develop, stop bath and fix then riinse again? i do a lot of c41 but havent yet done any black and white.

 

[Neal]

Dear wilfbiffherb,

Love the Jobo system. I use the faster speed (~75rpm) for everything.

Neal Wydra

 

[cway]

Yes. I'm obsessed with right temperature for my process, CPP-2 fixed this. (BTW I'm lazy )

 

[padraigm]

I usually use the slower speed thinking that the faster speed might increase contrast... But I have no data to back that up. Would development times be different with different speeds?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes, I use "P" and use 100% of the time for the developer.

Steve

 

[wilfbiffherb]

hmm interesting-seems that the jobo is a goer for some. do you stick to the given dev/stop/fix times as per hand inversion and just use less solution?

 

[Jim Chinn]

I have used a JOBO for years for film up to 8x10. Once you determine development times for your individual film/exposure combinations you will get consistent results every time.

 

[vyshemirsky]

Once you determine development times for your individual film/exposure combinations you will get consistent results every time.

Precisely! You have to test for EI and development time yourself, and then everything will be consistent and perfect.

 

[jeroldharter]

I assume you bought this used and don't have the manual. The Jobo processor manuals are pretty good so here is a link:

http://www.jobo.com/jobo_service_analog/us_analog/instructions/instructions_manual_cpe-2_plus_00.htm

Nevertheless, you still have to do some testing to find the best results. For starters, just use the film at the rated speed and the developer at the listed time and temperature for your film. Then drill down to more precise results with testing once you are comfortable with basics like loading the reels/tanks, using the processor, etc.

 

[wilfbiffherb]

i have a cpe 2 which i use for c41 all the time so im used to that. just not too sure on the b&w process and if using a rotary processor is too intense compared to hande rotation/inversion

 

[jeroldharter]

i have a cpe 2 which i use for c41 all the time so im used to that. just not too sure on the b&w process and if using a rotary processor is too intense compared to hande rotation/inversion

Color is generally more demanding of precision than B&W. You should have no problems with B&W and the Jobo. The only issues with B&W development and rotary processing in a Jobo are with some developers (e.g. Pyro) that can oxidize rapidly at high dilutions. You will want to do some research if you are bent on Pyro but otherwise you should have no problems. Most films ahve published standard development times specifically for rotary processing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

i have a cpe 2 which i use for c41 all the time so im used to that. just not too sure on the b&w process and if using a rotary processor is too intense compared to hande rotation/inversion

Using the rotary processor, I use the P speed and do not reduce the developing time. I use 100% of the time; not Jobo's recommended 15% reduction.

Steve

 

[Dan Henderson]

I guess I will swim against the current here. I bought a Jobo a few years ago when shooting medium format, used it for awhile, then went back to manual tanks for the sake of sharpness. And later went down the Pyrocat semi-stand road for 4x5 negatives. Now the Jobo gathers dust on a shelf.

 

[msa]

I'm a bit of a Luddite, but with that disclaimer applied:

Since you're new to B&W developing, you might just try a couple of rolls, one at a time, in manual tanks until you get the hang of it, and refine your development times, then figure out how to apply that to the Jobo. Nothing will get you familiar with this process like doing it all with 1 liter bottles and a stainless tank.

Then you can apply that understanding of the process to your automation.