Jobo ATL 2+ - How much is it worth?

Jessestr · Dec 13, 2014

Hi all

I recently got two Jobo ATL 2+'s for not too much money but my question is, how much are they actually worth? They both work flawlessly and have been cleaned and tested by me.

Many thanks
Jesse

Bill Burk · Dec 13, 2014

Hi Jessestr,

As with all darkroom equipment, they are geese that lay golden eggs in your hands. I'd consider them priceless... But without you they are probably worth a bit more than you paid, but less than their new price. For you they might free you of chores that liberate your photography. And with two, you have spare parts in case one malfunctions irreparably. I've had two of some things before and gotten rid of one of the pair. Sure they both worked and the second just took up space, but getting rid of one never works out for me. Sooner or later something breaks on the one I kept leaving me with a problem. (I'm talking about electronic-mechanical devices: Reel-to-reel and cassette recorders... But fundamentally the same kind of thing as your Jobo's).

Jessestr · Dec 13, 2014

Thanks ! I developed some rolls with it, really love it but I'm saving up for a Leica MP and it would be nice to know how much I could ask for them!
I have another smaller Jobo processor too.

jamespierce · Dec 14, 2014

Back in the day these were magic, but we have two quite nice ATL3s in our shed which we don't use because they have a range of problems (they get leaks in the air lines and pumps)... do you want to risk your films ? All these ATL machines are getting pretty old and hard to maintain. We've switched back to CPP manual machines for all our own work... that's not to say they can't be great, but you have to be prepared for lots of maintenance.

Jessestr · Dec 14, 2014

That still doesn't solve my problem lol. They are in perfect condition, tubes and hoses too, electronics too. I have two so if one of them breaks .. spareparts.

But my question... again. How much could I still ask for them?

Bob Carnie · Dec 14, 2014

$300 maybe each for parts .. You may think they are in perfect condition... do you know how many lifts are on the arm?.. also fixing an arm is incredibly complex and expensive.

I owned many jobos and the main issue is the arm and what happens when they go bad.

If you can get more than $300 each then I think you are doing well.

Jessestr said:
That still doesn't solve my problem lol. They are in perfect condition, tubes and hoses too, electronics too. I have two so if one of them breaks .. spareparts.

But my question... again. How much could I still ask for them?

Jessestr · Dec 14, 2014

They are in great shape. I opened them up, cleaned and lubricated everything myself. Not too much to worry about. These things are just build by off the shelve items and some simple electronics and mechanics. Nothing hard about it to fix.

Fixing a motorbike from the same year is a harder job and people do that too.

Bob Carnie · Dec 14, 2014

My bad.. I read this as being a auto unit.. not thinking it may be a manual unit. Two different animals altogether

Jessestr said:
They are in great shape. I opened them up, cleaned and lubricated everything myself. Not too much to worry about. These things are just build by off the shelve items and some simple electronics and mechanics. Nothing hard about it to fix.

Fixing a motorbike from the same year is a harder job and people do that too.

Jessestr · Dec 14, 2014

Bob Carnie said:
My bad.. I read this as being a auto unit.. not thinking it may be a manual unit. Two different animals altogether

It is an auto unit. Autolab ATL 2+. But I don't understand what could possible break and be irrepairable? The microcontroller perhaps... but easy job to program a new one for the Jobo. All the other parts are general parts you can find on eBay. If plastic breaks... 3D print shops..

Bob Carnie · Dec 14, 2014

Try sourcing out a lift arm and then digging down into the silicone to fix it.. Also the boards are old and hard to find... But you may have that skill set and not find it problimatic.

Jessestr said:
It is an auto unit. Autolab ATL 2+. But I don't understand what could possible break and be irrepairable? The microcontroller perhaps... but easy job to program a new one for the Jobo. All the other parts are general parts you can find on eBay. If plastic breaks... 3D print shops..

Bob Carnie · Dec 14, 2014

Back to your question... I bought at least three used alts for around $500 each from various sources. Maybe they have gone up in price but I doubt that.

Jessestr · Dec 14, 2014

Bob Carnie said:
Try sourcing out a lift arm and then digging down into the silicone to fix it.. Also the boards are old and hard to find... But you may have that skill set and not find it problimatic.

Well it's probably not just something like picking up a fork and eat with it hah But it isn't undoable, the area of electronics is no unknown thing for me (not a master) but I think it's fixable in every way. It's just a matter of replacing pieces with a an alternative! I wish I could learn more of this but there are no schools teaching this matter.

Sirius Glass · Dec 14, 2014

If you use them they are priceless. If you do not use them, not so much and then just sell them for $300US to $500US.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 14, 2014

Bob Carnie said:
Back to your question... I bought at least three used alts for around $500 each from various sources. Maybe they have gone up in price but I doubt that.

as always everything is only worth what somebody is willing to ay for itbut I'd think $500-$1k is reasonable.However a Jobo does pretty much the same thing for much less.

Cybertrash · Dec 15, 2014

Jessestr said:
It is an auto unit. Autolab ATL 2+. But I don't understand what could possible break and be irrepairable? The microcontroller perhaps... but easy job to program a new one for the Jobo. All the other parts are general parts you can find on eBay. If plastic breaks... 3D print shops..

You seem knowledgeable about the ATL:s. We have a broken ATL 2000 at my photo club, the keyboard's F1 button is broken, any tips on what could be done? I tried removing the keyboard, but it seems like the actual key circuitboard is difficult to get out from the plastic casing.

Jessestr · Dec 19, 2014

Got them on eBay for sale.

If you want the link.. PM me

Tim Stapp · Dec 18, 2016

Jessestr said:
It is an auto unit. Autolab ATL 2+. But I don't understand what could possible break and be irrepairable? The microcontroller perhaps... but easy job to program a new one for the Jobo. All the other parts are general parts you can find on eBay. If plastic breaks... 3D print shops..

Realizing that this in an ancient thread, I have to say that: I have obtained an inoperable ATL2+. What microcontroller would you recommend? Programming of said microcontroller? Please advise.

bdial · Dec 18, 2016

Tim Stapp said:
Realizing that this in an ancient thread, I have to say that: I have obtained an inoperable ATL2+. What microcontroller would you recommend? Programming of said microcontroller? Please advise.

I would first look at an Arduino or one of it's derivatives. Since it's open-source there is wide support for it and well documented interface devices. The development application is a free download, and the board interfaces with your computer through USB. So, the programming mechanics are simple. As for interfacing it to the ATL or programming the functionality, IDK, not trivial, but very feasible, I would think.

Leigh B · Dec 18, 2016

Replacing a processor board with a newer version is not a trivial exercise, even for the simplest product.

- Leigh

sfaber17 · Dec 19, 2016

I think it would be easier to fix the original board. The ATL2000+ schematics are around, so maybe that one is too.

Jobo ATL 2+ - How much is it worth?

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