Jobo Duolab

joe7 · Nov 10, 2009

i've just start shooting film back,mostly b&w and slide .
recently,one of my local photo shop offer me a new old stock(NOS) of jobo duolab at $190,it is a good investment with this processor?i'm always dream about developing and printing my own film before.
my question is:
1)is there any different between using this kind of processor for developing b&w film and by hand process using tank?will i get a more consistent result with this procs?i believe,for the slide film,this processor will be a very helpful,as the temp will be very critical but not sure with the b&w film.

2)this procs has a function of processing print too,but i'm a bit confuse...will it be easier for me to process my print just in tray,instead of using tank in procs?

i don't have any experience in film developing and making print with an enlarger,i hope that somebody will help me and just want to make sure that i'll made a good investment.
thanks in advance

dancqu · Nov 11, 2009

Cramped?

joe7 said:
i've just start shooting film back,mostly b&w and slide .
recently,one of my local photo shop offer me a new old stock
(NOS) of jobo duolab at $190,it is a good investment with this
processor?i'm always dream about developing and printing my
own film before.
i don't have any experience in film developing and making print
with an enlarger,i hope that somebody will help me and just
want to make sure that i'll made a good investment.

Unless you are very cramped for space I'd not consider rotary
processing. At today's prices one may just about furnish an
entire darkroom with $190.

You'll enjoy and benefit by seeing the prints come up as
they tray develop. Those that do rotary process can
clue you in to it's limitations.

I do have little space for my darkroom. I opted for
single tray processing using one-shot chemistry.
A big space saver, single tray processing. Dan

Alex Bishop-Thorpe · Nov 11, 2009

The advantage to the Jobo is accurate temperature control for paper and film developing - this is very important for colour processing, not so much for black and white. If you plan to shoot and print colour film, I'd get it. If you plan to focus on black and white, I agree your money may be better spent elsewhere.

joe7 · Nov 11, 2009

Fleath said:
The advantage to the Jobo is accurate temperature control for paper and film developing - this is very important for colour processing, not so much for black and white. If you plan to shoot and print colour film, I'd get it. If you plan to focus on black and white, I agree your money may be better spent elsewhere.

actually,i'm planning on shoot on b&w and colour,but i'll printing on b&w,because only b&w enlarger is available here.

Terence · Nov 11, 2009

If you are tight on space, they are a good investment. If you're not, and cheap darkroom supplies are available in your area, I'd pass on it. Or research the going rate for one and possibly make a profit you can use to buy the cheaper stuff.

ic-racer · Nov 11, 2009

NOS Jobo Duolab, I'd pick that up for $190. I think I paid $160 for a NOS Jobo TB tempering box that of course has no motor or anything.

In USD $190 will get you a beat up CPP or other processor that may not work.

archer · Nov 12, 2009

Dear Joe7;
I have a DuoLab and use the slots for processing sheet film. I made a film carrier that allows me to process four 4X5 sheets at a time or 2 5X7 sheets Or 1 8X10 sheet and the negatives have been the most consistent negatives I've ever made. Over the years I've used tray, rotary, BTZS tubes and unicolor paper drums but the DuoLab is cleaner, faster and temperature controlled for color film and I use the drum area for tempering color chemistry when I use my Unicolor film drum with roll film. I still prefer to do all BW roll film in tanks. I also use the slots for 8X10 color prints and for BW paper testing but I prefer to develop BW prints in trays. I find the DuoLab to be extremely versatile for the small darkroom.
Denise Libby

babavaga · Mar 24, 2010

Hi Denise!

Can You show this film carrier You are talking about? I use selfmade 5x7 film holder for 2800 series tank, but processing 5x7 film in slots is an unteresting idea !-)

archer · Mar 28, 2010

Duo Lab film holder

Babavaga;
Here is what the 4+ 4x5 film holder looks like. I have also one for 2+5x7 and 1+ 8x10. I hope this is useful. I use a textured grain ABS plastic sheet 3/32 thick and clear, pan head, lexan plastic screws.
Denise Libby

mshchem · Mar 22, 2024

archer said:
Duo Lab film holder

Babavaga;
Here is what the 4+ 4x5 film holder looks like. I have also one for 2+5x7 and 1+ 8x10. I hope this is useful. I use a textured grain ABS plastic sheet 3/32 thick and clear, pan head, lexan plastic screws.
Denise Libby

Hmmn?

Jobo Duolab

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