Want to Buy Jobo ATL or PhotoTherm Processor

[calebarchie]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to start up film processing services at my local lab again - If I can get a hold of one of these machines my boss should give me the A-OK! It would be small batch quantities per week so prefer a non-replenishment system for ease of use.

I am based in Australia however can organise for a machine to be surface mailed.
TYA,

Caleb

 

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[foc]

Best of luck with setting up your film processing.

I have often thought along the same lines as yourself, but I am still running a Fuji FP363 (35mm only) in my minilab. Fortunately I have enough film via mail order, website and through the door to keep the processor running and make a small profit. This is a niche market but I am sure if properly marketed it will work. It could be a big investment considering the size of the market (local , national, international).

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

 

[darkroommike]

Your choice boils down to a used ATL for which some parts may be hard to source or a new Phototherm.

 

[vdonovan]

Check with CatLABS, they sell and repair Jobos and always have a good stock. Very nice folks to deal with too.
http://www.catlabs.info/category/processors

 

[calebarchie]

Thanks for the support guys, up till recently we had a big 'ole konica machine which started having problems with the thermostat among others. At that point it became too costly with its very large replenishment tanks and such little input so it had to go unfortunately. Funnily enough soon after its gone we start getting a lot more film in hence looking for some more feasible options instead of sending to another lab.

Spare mechanical parts shouldn't be too much of a problem, just the main boards but I am pretty handy with that stuff. Currently repairing one of my drum scanners - problem with the control board. CatLabs is a good option, maybe a little costly for us but the support is there. I imagine a jobo would be easier to acquire 'round these parts as opposed to a phototherm but fingers crossed!

 

[Bob Carnie]

I would buy the 3000 which is the new machine , and I would speak to Omer at Cat Labs, he is a very , knowledgeble guy and his support for me and my machine is outstanding.

I would not purchase a used alt or alt2300 no matter what anyone here says, as the lift arm will be your major problem and I have owned 1new Alt 2300 and 4 used, so I can speak from experience.
The new unit is in production in my lab and I find it as fast as the auto units.

best regards

Bob

 

[calebarchie]

I would buy the 3000 which is the new machine , and I would speak to Omer at Cat Labs, he is a very , knowledgeble guy and his support for me and my machine is outstanding.

I would not purchase a used alt or alt2300 no matter what anyone here says, as the lift arm will be your major problem and I have owned 1new Alt 2300 and 4 used, so I can speak from experience.
The new unit is in production in my lab and I find it as fast as the auto units.

best regards

Bob

Thanks for the info bob. I was in initially looking an ATL1000 or 1500 (space is a bit of a luxury heh), do these have a failing lift arm? If so wouldn't the motor just need replacing?
You are speaking of the ATL-3 / 3000 correct? or their CPP3 model?

Caleb

 

[Bob Carnie]

I am speaking of all the used units that were auto lift, I would not touch any of them with a 10ft pole.

The manual versions I think should be very good, I use the new Jobo in complete manual mode and like it as it makes the operator
be aware of the machine, rather than loading up a run and walking away.

Bob

 

[calebarchie]

Generally, I'm not scared of unsupported machines otherwise I wouldn't have my drum scanners and film recorders! My boss doesn't want me sitting there with the machine unfortunately or in this case downstairs. In these circumstances I don't think I have much of an option, but in the case of something failing the downtime is not as critical as we will just send it to one of our other stores like we have been doing.

 

[EdSawyer]

I have a phototherm SSK-4, and prefer it to any/all of the Jobos I have used in the past (older CPPs, and the like, manual lift). That said, I haven't used an ATL-1000 or 1500, which seems like the only thing even somewhat equivalent to the phototherm.

 

[calebarchie]

Bump!

 

[PittP]

Hi, for business get a factory-refurbished Phototherm, last model. No waterbath = no wait-times between different temp processes, very stable with E6 (one-shot, 1 reuse of FD feasible though a bit messy), just make sure the end of 120-film is well secured with a clip or card - otherwise you risk a totally damaged film.
Cheers.

 

[Oscar Brown]

Hi Caleb,
Just wondering where abouts in Australia you're located,
This is great news!
cheers, Oscar

 

[calebarchie]

Hi, for business get a factory-refurbished Phototherm, last model. No waterbath = no wait-times between different temp processes, very stable with E6 (one-shot, 1 reuse of FD feasible though a bit messy), just make sure the end of 120-film is well secured with a clip or card - otherwise you risk a totally damaged film.
Cheers.

Thank you for the suggestion, is there an outlet or such that provide refurbished models? Does Phototherm themselves supply these?

Hi Caleb,
Just wondering where abouts in Australia you're located,
This is great news!
cheers, Oscar

Small town in the Riverina, Rural NSW. Up to a several months ago now we were the only lab in the area processing it so I want to bring it back again, there is a surprising amount of film coming in recently.

 

[rubbernglue]

I have a atl-1000 for sale at the moment - but I also live in sweden

 

[Oscar Brown]

Really great news! goodluck with it all!

 

[PittP]

refurbished models? Does Phototherm themselves supply these?

Yes, they do. And I can only talk good about the people there, the service, and the machine.
Give them a call, or send me a PM, I'll be happy to share the contacts I have.
Cheers.