Nova darkroom equipment

[Juraj Kovacik]

Any experience?

These gadgets looks great, but their price is totaly crazy

I'm thinking about monochrome processor and [size=-1]washmaster[/size]


I've found only this thread in archive

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)


thanks

j.

 

[Dave Miller]

I know what you mean; far too cheap.

 

[Canuck]

I have been using their 11x14 sized, 4 slot processor for a few years now and it's top notch equipment.

 

[Roger Hicks]

These gadgets looks great, but their price is totaly crazy. j.

Dear Juraj,

The prices are quite reasonable for top-quality hand-made equipment to which there is no real alternative.

I've been using Nova gear for maybe 15 years, and it is superb. I have whittled it down to two Quads, 12x16 inch and 8x10 inch; a washer; a couple of hand lines for E6 (35/120 and 4x5 inch); LED safelights; and a few minor accessories. I used to have a 20x24 Quad and my wife Frances Schultz and I have tested other Nova kit for the magazines over the years.

If you look at the free 'Our Darkrooms' module in the Photo School at www.rogerandfrances.com you'll see the 12x16 Quad sunk in the work-bench in our current darkroom -- a trick I've not seen anyone else do, but which tires your arm much less.

As well as prints, I've processed 8x10 inch film in Novatanks.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Juraj Kovacik]

Than you all

Roger, a very nice trick with that sinking quad.
Canuck, I've to check "notch" in dictionary, but I've get it
Dave, exactly that is the point. Too cheap to be really atractive

 

[Roger Hicks]

Than you all

Roger, a very nice trick with that sinking quad.
Canuck, I've to check "notch" in dictionary, but I've get it
Dave, exactly that is the point. Too cheap to be really atractive

Dear Juraj,

The dictionary probably won't help. 'Top-notch' is a slang term for 'among the best'; an older version of the same thing is 'top hole'. The image is that it's high on the tree as far as quality is concerned.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Muihlinn]

If those vertical print processors came with something equally well thought as themselves to do the cleaning...
Anyway, worth every penny.

 

[nyx]

If you don't want to spend that much, you can use some DIY solution.

For example: http://www.paladix.cz/clanky/procesor-pro-vyvolavani-papiru.html
I guess you should have no problem with understanding.

I'm thinking about building something like that myself as I don't have enough space in my darkroom for tray development of large prints. I'm thinking like 55x45x1cm - that should allow me to do up to 50x70cm prints with 2.5L of chemisty. I'm worried about paper sticking to the glass, but that should be probably solved by adding some vertical wires around the walls that would guide the paper in.

 

[leeturner]

On eBay in the UK you can pick up a trimate 16x12 for under £100 and the 8x10 for between £60 and £80. I've been using one for a few months and wouldn't be without it. For larger prints I've started using Jobo drums and an old Beseler motorised base. The one advantage over the Nova is that I can change print developer per print so that I can use both warm and cooltone developers in one printing session.

Muihlinn, I have a well designed and economical device for cleaning the Nova. It's called the wife (runs for cover whilst avoiding well aimed kicks)

 

[chorleyjeff]

Any experience?

These gadgets looks great, but their price is totaly crazy

I'm thinking about monochrome processor and [size=-1]washmaster[/size]


I've found only this thread in archive

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)


thanks

j.

I got 12 x 16 and 16 x 20 two slot processors off Ebay and they are excellent products. Well worth the money and save time setting up and cleaning up.
A later post refers to sinking the processor in the work bench. Well that's the wheel reinvented twice that I know about in Wigan! It's well worth doing not least of all because I can now sit down when playing at printing
Cheers
Jeff

 

[leeturner]

A later post refers to sinking the processor in the work bench. Well that's the wheel reinvented twice that I know about in Wigan! It's well worth doing not least of all because I can now sit down when playing at printing
Cheers
Jeff

The aforementioned long suffering wife is looking at me with trepidation as the drill and jigsaw are being unpacked accompanied my my wild eyed mutterings of "what a great idea". As there's no F1 Grand Prix this weekend I might as well take out my frustration on an innocent lump of wood.

 

[Juraj Kovacik]

Thank you all, it looks to be really helpfull

NYX, you guess was perfect, I had no problem to understand... btw, a very interesting construction

Roger , I share your scepticism about dictionres, but this time it works. What is funy is the example their use for explanation

4. Informal. a step, degree, or grade: This camera is a notch better than the other

j.

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

A Nova print processor is the only thing on my christmas wishlist this year - quite seriously, though their Australian Distributor doesnt have any on hand so it looks like I'll be getting one direct from the UK.
It's fun to imagine you have more money than you do, but as has been said it's the best gear and you'll pay for the quality. (and I stand by my previous decision that spending all my money today on HP5 and FP4 was a good idea.)

 

[Fotohuis]

I'm thinking about monochrome processor

You're not really lucky in the time schedule: A photo friend of mine in Martin (SK) just sold his Nova abroad. It was in mint condition.
But maybe some luck elswhere.

I am working with the Nova Masterlab when doing some quick printing on smaller formats. Also easy for the C41 development of films or even RA-4. For the bulk I have a Thermaphot ACP252 which is going very quickly.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[john_s]

If you don't want to spend that much, you can use some DIY solution.

For example: http://www.paladix.cz/clanky/procesor-pro-vyvolavani-papiru.html
I guess you should have no problem with understanding.

I'm thinking about building something like that myself as I don't have enough space in my darkroom for tray development of large prints. I'm thinking like 55x45x1cm - that should allow me to do up to 50x70cm prints with 2.5L of chemisty. I'm worried about paper sticking to the glass, but that should be probably solved by adding some vertical wires around the walls that would guide the paper in.

The Nova units use plastic (for want of a more specific word) with an irregular surface texture. You can get glass like that too.

I have a washer from Summitek which has smooth surfaces and it's harder to use because of the tendency of the paper to grip the surface.

 

[Roger Hicks]

This camera is a notch better than the other[/I]/QUOTE]

You're right, that is funny!

Cheers,

R.

 

[Mark Pope]

Another vote for Nova's slot processors. I've had a Trimate (three slots) for the last 6 years. It's been absolutely brilliant. I now have one of their (secondhand) fibre-based processors, which I'm now getting used to.
The initial outlay can seem quite high, but if you think that they will last for years, they are good value. Plus the fact that if you want to, it makes getting ready for a darkroom session very easy indeed - all you have to do is take the lids off and away you go. That's worth a great deal IMHO.

 

[leeturner]

Mark, that's the major benefit for me. With 2 youngsters and a bit of a commute between work and home my time is very limited. After finishing a printing sessions I top off the Nova, or drain about 100ml off and refill. The next night it's just a case of lifting the covers off. With open trays I found that because of the setting up, wastage and clearing up it took quite a bit of effort to mentally prepare myself to do any printing. With the Nova one can pop in the darkroom for 20 minutes or several hours. There are times when things are just not working and rather than get frustrated (with what is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby) I can just put the lids on the Nova and call it a night.

 

[Fotohuis]

With the Nova one can pop in the darkroom for 20 minutes or several hours.

I agree with you that this is one of the biggest advantages of the Nova system. A very quick stand bye time so that even a short time dark room session can be valuable.

 

[Bob F.]

The ability to just walk in to the darkroom and get started straight away, and when finished to just switch the light out on the way out is a (possibly the) major advantage. This is one of the things the digiwallahs always mention: that they can sit at the computer for 20 mins anytime they get the urge; well, you can do the same with a Nova. A clearing time test on the fixer (I also use Tetenal fixer test strips for a belt and braces approach) and away you go.

The time saved is well worth the extra expense over dishes, plus it keeps fixer fumes down to the extent that I do not need to switch the fans on with a low-odour fixer: just let the wind do the job...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Mick Fagan]

The time saved is well worth the extra expense over dishes, plus it keeps fixer fumes down to the extent that I do not need to switch the fans on with a low-odour fixer: just let the wind do the job...

Geeez Bob, if I let the wind do the job in my darkroom without an extraction fan on, I think I'd pass out!!!!!

Maybe if I went easy on the greens, it would be more bearable?

Mick.

 

[Juraj Kovacik]

Thakn you all. I must say that I've started to think abou this seriously.

j.

 

[Bob F.]

The time saved is well worth the extra expense over dishes, plus it keeps fixer fumes down to the extent that I do not need to switch the fans on with a low-odour fixer: just let the wind do the job...

Geeez Bob, if I let the wind do the job in my darkroom without an extraction fan on, I think I'd pass out!!!!!

Maybe if I went easy on the greens, it would be more bearable?

Mick.

Yes indeed: always avoid brussel sprouts for at least 6 hours before entering enclosed spaces...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[leeturner]

Oop North it's mushy peas tha's got t'avoid.

 

[Matt5791]

Im very lucky in my location and am able to drop by at the NOva showroom personally, sometimes once a week, to pick up articles.

I think that the reason they have been so sucessful, and continue to be, is because they sell stuff that nobosy else sells - and it is really well made and thought out designs.

The Man at the top - Robin Whetton, is a really interesting chap to have a chat with. He started the company in 1983 I think, and I know that John Sexton worked with thme on the design of their archival washers.

Recently they have started a new line called Permajet, which are brilliantly marketed inkjet papers (and I'm sure, as inkjet paper goes, brilliant inkjet paper) - not really for me or anyone else on this site, but I understand and support this from a business point of view. The nice thing is that the company does well from such products and continues to produce their darkroom products and their excellent catalogue.

I've been telling Mr Whetton to become a sponsor on this site.

Matt