Jobo ATL-1 & CPE-2

[Lieselotte]

Hi everyone,

I've been developing my own B&W film for a while, but now I'd like to be able to do my own C41 and E6 and perhaps try some cross-processing.
I figured I'd best buy a processor for this.

I've found an affordable CPE-2 that looks as good as new, but also an ATL-1. I haven't seen it yet, but it comes from a professional photographer, so no doubt it will have been used intensively. How much do you reckon those ATL-1's are worth nowadays? And CPE-2's?

And what do you think would be best for an amateur? It will only be used for film, not for prints. Both 35mm and 120. Unfortunately I won't be able to have dedicated plumbing for it.

I was also wondering approximately how much chemicals would be needed to develop a film in them?

Also, I'm going to take a look at the ATL-1 on Saturday, and I would like to know what I need to keep an eye on. Any known problems I should look out for?

Lots of questions, but there's not much to find on the ATL-1 on the internet.
I hope someone here can answer them!

 

[Mike Wilde]

I get by just fine developing 35mm and 120/220 film for c-41 and e-6 processes in 1L of chemistry in a nikor stainless daylight tank.

The tank when not agitated is immersed, along with my 1L amber boston round chemistry storage bottles of chems, in a lunch sized picnic cooler that is filled with water. It also houses a fish tank immersion heater and fish tank water circulation pump. I supply these from a GFCI/RCD fitted protected outlet. The fish tank heater has a mechanical control that has been wound past its normal 'fish' range to give me 38C. I use water from the tempering bath for the required rinses (make sure the outside of the storage bottles are not crud laden when you put them in the bath if you do this). The whole rig packs away nicely, and I don't think I spent more than $80 putting it together.

 

[Lieselotte]

Thanks for your answer. I know it's possible, but it just seems such a hassle, and I'd be terrified of doing something wrong.

If you say you paid 80 dollars for your setup though, I don't think it would be a bad investment paying 100 euros for an ATL-1 or CPE-2? (That's the price I've found them for.) Problem is I don't know which one of those two to go for. The CPE-2 is as good as new, while the ATL-1 has been used intensively by a pro and has much more components that could have something wrong with it.

 

[pentaxuser]

The ATL is a form of medium volume processor. That's medium volume in terms of films and prints processed. It's like a very small version of a mini-lab. Based on what you have said it sounds as if the CPE-2 is the better piece of equipment. It uses very little chemistry and doesn't have to be cleaned out at intervals and it seems as if it will be in better condition. Unless you can be sure of the seller I'd ask to see the CPE-2 with its water bath filled to say 35 degrees centigrade prior to your arrival then turn up the thermostat to 38 degrees. There should be two Jobo thermometers in the bath held there by clips. Make sure that the temperature rises and then settles at say 38 degrees and stays there. For colour film you need the CPE-2 to hold the water at the right temperature. Ensure that the rotary arm which hold the tanks spins properly and at both speeds. It should complete a forward and reverse rotation on each cycle and not spin with any wobble. The shaft should be straight.

pentaxuser

 

[Lieselotte]

Thanks for your advice.
In the end I did indeed go for the CPE-2. It looks used, but it does everything it has to so I'm happy
I have a stupid question now, though... Most pictures of CPE-2's I've seen on the net have a black top. But, the one I've bought has a grey top. What's the difference between those two? Eg. is it just that the ones were produced before the other or are there internal differences?

 

[RobertV]

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

Easy for an exact timing in C41 and especially in E6 development is an elevator on the CPE-2 processor.

Further you can transfer the CPE-2 to have 6 bottles instead of 4 bottles in the cabinet for the 6 step E6 processing. 3 step E6 processing is also available (from Tetenal).

Best regards,

Robert