Nova Processor for FB B&W printing

kal800 · Jan 11, 2020

Hi,

Anyone used that device here? I'm a bit tired with tray processing. I'm working on 40/50 format now and the trays are quite bulky - chemistry handling is troublesome and dirty - it takes time to wash the trays, filling and emptying them, etc. It brings significant time to set up and set down everything before and after the session. Those vertical processors seems to be a solution, not mentioning space saving feature. Now, there are three types of Nova Processors - the simplest non heated with 3 slots, heated 3 slots and heated 4 slots for FB Printing. As I already have their archival washer with dedicated Hypo slot, I assume, that 3 slot processor would be enough for me. The question - do I need heated processor for B&W printing at all?

Any comments much appreciated.

Kal800

spijker · Jan 11, 2020

I have the 40 x 30 cm 4-slot heated version simply because that one showed up on ebay. It's a 120V 60 Hz version and these are hard to get. Nova doesn't make them anymore. The heaters are nice for the winter.when the basement darkroom is colder than the rest of the house when I don't use it. I don't think the heathers are essential for B&W paper development at 20C. If you can keep the darkroom around 20C (or more in the summer), then a non heated Nova should work just as good. You can give the developer temperature a boost by replenishing it with warmer than 20C fresh developer. I usually add 0.5 liter fresh working solution developer at the start of a printing session. I have the old style slot washer without the separate wash aid slot so I use the 4th slot for wash aid. But since you have the newer washer, I would go for the 3 slot non-heated version.

I really like my Nova, it saves me a space and time. Specially the latter is of a premium these days. No more trays for me.

Menno

lantau · Jan 11, 2020

I love mine. I have the heated 4 slot version. It's great to leave it filled. The basement gets cold in winter, even though it is the boiler room. But the door is open when not in dark mode.

So even with b/w I set it to 24°C to have constant temperature year round. For RA4 it's even better, I turn it on 60 minutes ahead by WiFi power socket.

The extra washing slot is great. Both for regular washing, in your case perhaps for a rinse before washing.

But I also use the 4th slot for rinsing before fixing. I.e. stop in slot 2, skip over 3 straight into 4 for rinsing, then back into 3 for fixing.

When using RA4 the rinse slot is really good before you move on to the washer.

kal800 · Jan 11, 2020

Well, good point - I have my darkroom in the cellar boiler room and while I have 20.1 degrees constant temperature on window level, the floor is quite cold, so my developer is 17-18 degrees when I fill my trays. By the way - is there any difference in case of B&W printing? I know, that even 0.5 degrees makes a difference while developing the film, but paper? I can just extend development time. But yes - 4 slots is OK - develop, stop, fix, pre-rinse and then Hypo and washing in the washer device. It makes sense .

tezzasmall · Jan 11, 2020

I'll hold my hand up for loving these as well!

I have a heated three slot processor, which is just used for B/W work, both RC and occasional FB work. I havepurchased a couple of paper holders though, made for FB work, as sometime the pin holders cut through FB paper when it's wet - especially ART300 paper.

As you say, they are a space saver but the great thing about them is the lack of major set up and clean up times. I often do a short 30 minute session, which is something I could never have done when using trays.

Expensive, even second hand for some, but well worth every penny.

Terry S

Neal · Jan 11, 2020

While not nearly as nice as the Nova product, I use the single tray method when I need to print that large or larger. I keep the chemicals in 4l buckets, pouring the liquid in and out of the tray. You do need a good tray (I use Paterson) and I use a second tray with a siphon for washing.

radiant · Jan 11, 2020

What developer lasts in the tank and how long? Do you compensate the aging with some formula to alway get same dMax?

logan2z · Jan 11, 2020

I have the 3 slot unheated processor that I use for B&W prints on fiber paper. It saves me significant time not having to mix fresh chemicals and clean up each session. I have a Nova Ecowash print washer as well with the wash aid slot, but to be honest I rarely use that slot and just wash the prints for longer periods. One less chemical to sorry about mixing, at the expense of some additional water usage.

I don't think I'd ever use trays again unless I decide to make large prints that don't fit in the processor. Mine only supports up to 11x14.

perkeleellinen · Jan 11, 2020

I have a four slot heated. With fibre paper I like to use two Nova clips as the paper is heavy and harder to move into slots

logan2z · Jan 11, 2020

perkeleellinen said:
I have a four slot heated. With fibre paper I like to use two Nova clips as the paper is heavy and harder to move into slots

I've only printed 8x10 in my processor so far and have found that a single clip is fine. But I bought extra clips to use when printing 11x14 just in case.

Pieter12 · Jan 11, 2020

I print 11x14 fiber regularly and found that it is pretty easy to do with just one clip. I hold the clip and grab the far corner of the print with my fingers for better control when I transfer to the stop slot and rinse my hand in the holding tray before lifting the print the same way to the fix slot, same to go to the rinse/holding tray.

spijker · Jan 11, 2020

Same here; one clip in the center of a 11x14 inch paper works well for me.

pentaxuser · Jan 11, 2020

kal800 said:
Hi,

I assume, that 3 slot processor would be enough for me. The question - do I need heated processor for B&W printing at all?

Any comments much appreciated.

Kal800

This seems to be only relevant question that you need us to answer. It all depends on the temperature which you can maintain in your darkroom in winter If it is about 14-15 degrees centigrade then the answer is I believe NO. One of the respondents to this thread has I believe experimented with printer developer at about 15 C and found it worked perfectly.

It would appear that the limiting factor in terms of temperature is likely to be at what temperature can you work in a darkroom and if the answer is 14-15 C then you are OK

If you cannot maintain 14-15 C then it may be that some print developers will work OK at lower temperatures but I have no idea.

pentaxuser

MattKing · Jan 11, 2020

Some developers work better at cooler temperatures than others do - the chemists here are better sources for which ones work best.

kal800 · Jan 11, 2020

Thanks folks, that is all I wanted to know - now, I just need to wait for Nova product line to restart which is due February.

So, no cons at all?

logan2z · Jan 11, 2020

kal800 said:
So, no cons at all?

For me the only con was the cost, which was on the high side given the cost of shipping to the US. That may not be an issue depending on your location.

I'm reaching a bit here, but I guess other minor cons are not being able to see the print magically appear in the developer since it's hidden from view while it's inside the slot, and not easily being able to pipeline multiple prints through the development process in parallel. Neither of these things bother me one bit.

logan2z · Jan 11, 2020

spijker said:
Same here; one clip in the center of a 11x14 inch paper works well for me.

Good to know, thanks.

kal800 · Jan 11, 2020

Not anymore, see what they got , magic’s there.

spijker · Jan 11, 2020

For your info; the current vertical non-slanted processors although labelled as RC processors also work very well with FB paper. The slanted model in your previous message has been around for years. I don't think it's a new model. I recall reading that this slanted FB processor with the special paper holders is not as easy to use as the clips with the "RC processors". I have a 4-slot version of the heated trimate and use it with FB paper.

logan2z · Jan 11, 2020

spijker said:
For your info; the current vertical non-slanted processors although labelled as RC processors also work very well with FB paper. The slanted model in your previous message has been around for years. I don't think it's a new model. I recall reading that this slanted FB processor with the special paper holders is not as easy to use as the clips with the "RC processors". I have a 4-slot version of the heated trimate and use it with FB paper.

Right, i think that model has been around for a long time. But someone at Nova did tell me they were redesigning their processors and their web site confirms it. But I don't see any details or photos at the moment.

FWIW, I don't see my prints developing in trays either since I typically insert the paper face down - a habit I picked up when I used to print at a community darkroom with less than safe safe lights

mshchem · Jan 12, 2020

Slot processors are great. I have a little Jobo Duolab, it takes drums, but also has a 4 slot processor as well, 1 liter tanks, I just use 8x10 Kodak film hangers to hold the paper. The newest Nova stuff looks amazing. So easy, and replenishing is a breeze. The new holders look great too.

adelorenzo · Jan 12, 2020

There is a new company making slot processors. I haven't heard any real world reviews yet but their products look good.

https://www.optimadarkroom.com/

logan2z · Jan 12, 2020

adelorenzo said:
There is a new company making slot processors. I haven't heard any real world reviews yet but their products look good.

https://www.optimadarkroom.com/

This company was started by the son of Graham New, the original designer of the Nova slot processor. There was a Kickstarter campaign for the product. I didn't think it got funded, but I haven't tracked it that closely.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...a12-photographic-darkroom-printandfilm-proces

kal800 · Jan 15, 2020

Hi again, I've contacted Nova, and their relaunched processors will appear somewhere in April. As they have already delayed it, it may be May as well. So I decided to act proactively and started the project to build one myself - to be specific by external company, but of my design. I'm enclosing the first version of the projected device. This is vertical, not slanted, not heated three slot processor for 16 x 20 prints. I have not included draining taps holes, as I do not their diameter yet, but each slot will contain one for sure. Everything seems to work, what bothers me is that I plan to use smooth surfaced plexiglass while Nova uses rugged ones in their vertical processors. Any ideas on that? Is it must have feature, or just nice to have? What do you think?

MattKing · Jan 15, 2020

Looks interesting. The textured plexiglass will help prevent the prints from sticking to the panels. That is particularly important for the emulsion side of the prints.

Nova Processor for FB B&W printing

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