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Jobo Silverbase First Impressions

mshchem

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Iowa City, Iowa USA
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I received my new Jobo Silverbase today from Catlabs. I've yet to use, but overall first impression is it's built to Jobo quality standards. Made in Germany, by Jobo. The motor is very very impressive sounding, the main body outer shell appears to be a upcycled 1510 tank shell! That's impressive as creating an all new injection molding tool would have been crazy expensive. I bought the unit with a new 1520 tank, with the magnet (installed). Unit works with most 1500 series (1510, 1520, 1540 ) combos, limited to 2520 for 2500 series.
Tank reverses about every 8 seconds, perfect for black and white. Motor reverses a bit more gradually than my other Jobo machines, this is, I suspect, to maintain torque effects to keep it still.

Price is (right at) 400 Euro, 400 USD. Not bad for something that on first glance will last a long-time.

Best Regards Mike
 
This thing is a blast. I'm using the Colorbase/Duolab cog to attach the small bottle (more fun)
 
DevStopFix said:
Awesome. Awaiting mine from CatLabs, as well. Will use it with the 1520 included in the kits and a 2520, but it's not entirely clear to me whether I need another set of rollers for the 2520 tank.
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Instructions don't really cover this. To use 2500 series tanks you need to (carefully) pry the roller from the roller clip. Then you fit the roller itself to the processor carriage. Same as any Jobo. I have a couple of the early white rollers that I keep ready.
You might want to check with Catlabs to see if they have a couple extra rollers.
I used the 1520 tank to develop a roll of 120, worked beautifully. These are a bit pricey, however in my, very limited, experience it works great. Definitely a luxury item
 
This is hugely helpful--thank you! I'll indeed try to source some from CatLabs or elsewhere.
 
Have you tried immersing the SilverBase in a heated water bath for temp control? Obviously, the water lever needs to be below the motor housing to avoid shorting. I discussed this with Omer at CatLabs and he thought it could work. Any comments?
 
lenspeeper said:
Have you tried immersing the SilverBase in a heated water bath for temp control? Obviously, the water lever needs to be below the motor housing to avoid shorting. I discussed this with Omer at CatLabs and he thought it could work. Any comments?
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With the tank in a water jacket, even if it is barely submersed in one would invariably carry at least some water with it as it goes around. My concern would be the likely possibility of water migrating from the tank to the magnet and onto the drive shaft and eventually the motor itself. The unit is not likely moisture sealed.

The Filmomat Light would be a nice alternative, if a water jacket is desired, IMO.
 
lenspeeper said:
Have you tried immersing the SilverBase in a heated water bath for temp control? Obviously, the water lever needs to be below the motor housing to avoid shorting. I discussed this with Omer at CatLabs and he thought it could work. Any comments?
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No way in a million years. I doubt Catlabs would advocate even trying such a thing.
 
Under common ambient temperatures of around 70F a water bath is not needed for C-41 if you bump the volume. I used to develop C-41 in a dry film processor and the before/after temperature difference for 3:15 development time was around 1F. You start at 100.5F and finish at 99.5F.

Initially I was puzzled by this discovery, but then it occurred to me that the water bath is needed for those low JOBO volume minimums like 240ml for 1520 tank, especially for E6. But for C41, just bump it to 400ml or so and the bath becomes unnecessary.
 

I agree. I've found the temperature control to only be absolutely required for E6.
Even when using a fancy Jobo processor like a CPP3 I use more than the minimum solution. Otherwise simply pouring the solution through an ambient temperature Jobo lift you can get temperature drift.
Using a Paterson tank, one that holds 500-1000mL, pre-warming the tank, and filling quickly with 100.5°F developer, using regular inversions, every 30 seconds. Easy.
 
Vaughan Bromfield said:
Would this work with the double-length 2550 tank? I'm using one (more correctly, a Chinese clone) for 5x7 and 8x10 processing.
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Jobo recommends that maximum 25xx tank is the 4x5 2520 with 2509n reel. I think you could use a a 28xx print tank for 2 at a time 8x10.
 
Naked Photographer is a great teacher. He knows what he is talking about. IIRC he's a college professor.

For those who are wondering, 2520 is the largest film tank Jobo suggests for this unit. I think one could use large 28xx print tanks no trouble but not a big 1L film tank.
 
mshchem said:
Jobo recommends that maximum 25xx tank is the 4x5 2520 with 2509n reel.
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The single reel Jobo 4x5 tank is the 2500, the 2520 is the double-reel tank.

I just purchased one from the JOBO store will let you know how it goes with my (Chinese copy of) JOBO 2520 tanks processing 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 film.
 
Bonjour,

Je viens également de m'en procurer un, principalement pour le développement 135 noir et blanc. Par hasard, avez-vous eu des soucis avec le système de rotation? Depuis peu de temps, le mien cesse de tourner durant quelques secondes, et un long bip sonore se faire entendre. Pas de réponse de la part de Jobo pour l'instant, et aucune réponse sur internet.
 

I have not experienced any problems. Send a message to Catlabs in USA.

It may need an adjustment. Are you overloading?

Good luck
 
Oui, je vais les contacter, merci !
En sur-charge, je ne pense pas. J'ai pu le tester dans différentes pièces de mon appartement, les soucis sont toujours présents. C'est très rare quand ça arrive, mais pendant le premier bain, ça peut être un soucis. C'est moins grave pendant le deuxième ou le troisième bain.
 
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Yes, that's not correct! You should get a replacement. I have noticed that if I grab, or hold the tank while it is spinning the Silverbase will stop. To restart I turn off the power then turn back on. Google translate is wonderful!
 
xtol121 said:
Could you elaborate on the lid/bottle setup? I'd never seen a setup like that and I'm curious as to why/how/what having the bottle attached would do? Thanks!
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Ha, that's the infamous Jobo "Duolab" and "Colorbase" cog with threads that accept all Jobo bottles (270mL, 600mL etc) it's a gimmick. The Duolab could accommodate 6 x 270mL bottles, the idea is it would minimize temperature changes. I got started in Jobo around 10 years ago when I bought a Duolab, and a dozen tanks for 100 bucks.
 
My JOBO Silverbase processor has arrived. After overcoming the twin hurdles of finding an EU to AUS power adaptor and finding a magnet to attach to the drum base, I am ready to process.

Initial testing indicates that the processor can easily handle a 2550 tank with 750ml of water inside. At the moment that's spherical water in a vacuum, I still need to see how it performs with real film and real developer.
 

I have my 4x5 Crown Graphic and film in holders ready to go, just need to get out and shoot. I'm interested in trying this unit with a 2509n reel.
 
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