Nova Slot Processor - Go/No Go?

Mark Carstens · Aug 14, 2007

I've searched the archives here and have uncovered some very useful information about the advantages and trade-offs of using Nova slot processors. I'm sold on the concept as my darkroom must be temporary, and, ideally, very unobtrusive to setup and return to "normal," as my wife would put it.

I have an opportunity to buy a slightly used, secondhand Nova 12x16 quad processor, a throughly used 8x10 quad and a single slot washer. Both processors have temperature controls.

The seller's asking $500 for the 12x16 or $700 for the lot. I would only be processing B&W fiber paper. I'm leaning toward the 12x16 only at this point as having both the 12x16 and 8x10 seems like overkill, plus I already have access to the shower basin and a 16x20 tray (or two) for print washing.

My question is...all the obvious trade-offs aside -- space savings, no "nasty chemical odors" to offend the wife, quick and easy setup/takedown -- am I overpaying for all these conveniences for a secondhand outfit?

Any suggestions -- even something along the lines of, "Jump on it! This is a great opportunity!" -- would be appreciated.

In short, I guess I just need a little reassurance as this is my initial foray into traditional printing.

Thanks in advance!
~Mark

eric · Aug 14, 2007

Sounds kinda expensive but its the supply/demand thing. I never see any of these around. I think lots in the UK. I have a 16/20 version and an 8x10 printpod version. I wouldnt' give it up for anything.

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 14, 2007

I'd second Eric's comment. The price seems high, but where are you going to find another used one? At that price, I'd be tempted to get the whole kit, then you could re-sell the 8x10/ washer later and recoup some of the cost. Let's put it this way - I almost never print silver enlarging paper anymore, but I'm keeping my Nova 16x20 unit anyway. It was $850 new, and I'll be damned if I'm going to replace it short of outright mechanical failure. Word of advice -

the textured walls of the unit, if not scrupulously clean, can end up leaving waffle-pattern marks on your prints where the fiber paper has curled a bit in the slot and made contact with the slot wall. Vigilant attention to your agitation cycle will prevent this. This is mostly a problem with the larger size paper ( I think I've only seen this on my 16x20 prints ).

Matt5791 · Aug 14, 2007

At the current exchange rate, that is similar to what I have seen them go for in the UK on the second hand market.

If it is the same one, looks liek the new price is £495 UKP:

http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/164/Nova_FB_Fibre_Based_Print_Processor.html

Nova are only about 20 miles from me and they are a very well established and trusted set up.

Matt

Matt

dlin · Aug 14, 2007

I've been very satisfied with my Nova slot processor and would buy another one if I had to. It is a very high quality product, and although the basic concept is very simple, the implementation is not and Nova has done a very fine job. I don't see the need for two processors for straightforward black and white processing. I have a 3-slot processor for developer, stop, and fixer and prints go from there to a holding tray. A fourth second fixer slot would be handy, but that's easy to take care of in a separate tray.

For me, the advantages are significant: long chemistry life, very fast start-up and close-down times (i.e., remove the tube slot covers to start printing, replace them when you're done), minimal bench space, minimal chemical odors.

The prices you've listed are kind of high for used units, but as others have pointed out, they don't come up for sale very frequently.

Good luck,

Daniel

Peter Williams · Aug 14, 2007

I bought the 12x16 quad used off Craigslist about six months ago and it is far and away the best photographic purchase I have ever made. With the exchange rate and high shipping cost to the US from the UK, used was the only way I could get one. There is one on Ebay now for $160 + $40 shipping. You might want to watch that one before paying a premium for ones in hand.

Mark Carstens · Aug 14, 2007

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Peter, thanks for the tip on the ebay listing. I live about 20 minutes from the seller and am angling to check it out in person. Anywhere near that asking price, and I couldn't go wrong.

Matt, I had contacted Nova about a nice secondhand FB 16x12 slanted slot processor for £251 they had/have for sale. They were prompt and courteous in their reply, the only problem was the shipping cost -- £135 UKP! The processor price isn't unreasonable, considering the cost new, but the cost of shipping pretty much killed that possibility for me. With the current exchange rate, I would have been up over $770 USD to my door. For their part, Nova was sympathetic about the shipping cost and referred me to their source for estimating the cost (FEDEX Int'l).

~Mark

Bob F. · Aug 14, 2007

I have a 12x16 unit. All the plus points mentioned are valid. One point not mentioned though: once filled you can not move it. If you try, you will probably break it. I have heard of people putting them on an Hostess Trolley or computer table that has wheels in order to move them about but I've not tried that myself and wouldn't be happy moving it even then, unless I emptied the chemical slots first.

There is a reservoir for the tempering water. Even if you do not intend to use the built-in heaters, fill the reservoir anyway as it will reduce strain on the chemical slots when you fill them. Fill the reservoir before filling the slots.

Have fun, Bob.

Dave Miller · Aug 14, 2007

Sound advice Bob, but should "stain" in the last line read "Strain"?

jeroldharter · Aug 14, 2007

I have a 16x20 Nova Quad processor. I rarely use it anymore.

I am not so sure that it is good for a portable or put/up/take down type darkroom. They are large and heavy, especially when full. They are solidly built but if you try to move it you have to grab it somewhere and it can break. One of the acrylic top plates on mine cracked off during a move (with professinal packing and movers). Perhaps you could put it on a movable cart and wheel that into the darkroom.

Although it is good for storing chemicals and reducing odors, I did not really like to leave it loaded with solutions. As TheFlyingCamera noted, the dimples on the walls can stain and the slots are a real pain to clean and you certainly don't want to use alot of force. Also, you can process 1-2 prints at a time only. When I get a final print determined, I often make 5-10 copies of it to keep on hand. In a tray, I can process them all simultaneously which saves alot of time.

For black and white work, the temperature control is superfluous unless you have a cold darkroom.

For the money, I would use the single tray method (that is what I do even with a large darkroom). You can search and find alot of details. Just use one tray and pour the chemicals back and forth into separate beakers. You do needs a convenient water source for rinsing. Takes up little space, very cheap materials, minimizes cross-contamination of chemistry, allows batch processing, easier to move than a Nova. Also, minimal contact with the print, no tongs or putting hands into chemicals, and reduced odors.

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 14, 2007

Thinking of Bob's advice, definitely don't try to move one of the larger units when filled - I have on occasion had to adjust the position of my 16x20 unit in my sink, and once pulled my shoulder just trying to wiggle it from the back to the front of my sink! On the 16x20, each slot holds approximately 1 gallon of fluid, and the water jacket slots hold about a gallon each also. Completely full, the tank weighs something on the order of 50+ lbs.

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 14, 2007

Jerold- in the wintertime, my basement darkroom gets down into the 60s without a space heater running constantly. That heated water jacket on the unit is a big plus to keep my processing baths up to temp. I don't like running the space heater, because my darkroom is too small, and eventually the chems in the trays warm up and evaporate and then my darkroom smells rather overpoweringly of chemistry.

This is yet another reason why I've gone over to printing Pt/Pd

Peter Williams · Aug 14, 2007

The points about the cart are very good. I keep mine on a Rubbermaid utility cart that I bought for $30 off Craigslist, but I don't really move it around. I keep mine next to the enlarger in my den which also gives me access to my desk so that I have a nice work area for handling negatives, etc. The best part of the Nova is not having to setup/take down everything when I want to print. Because of the hassel before, I would only print when I knew I had at least six hours to dedicate to it. Now, if I want to bang out a couple of prints after work all I have to do is remove a few pvc covers and I'm ready to go.

Bob F. · Aug 14, 2007

Dave Miller said:
Sound advice Bob, but should "stain" in the last line read "Strain"?

Whoops - see what relying on a spell-chequer can do to you... Edited...

bdial · Aug 14, 2007

Not a lot to add here, but here are my thoughts;
I have a 16x12 Nova Quad, and I really like it. As Jerold points out, it's not so hot if you need to batch process several prints, and I drag out trays when I need to do that. Otherwise it works very well for me. It does require some workflow adaptation if you are used to trays.
In Winter/spring/Fall (sometimes even this summer!) my darkroom is much cooler than 68 degrees, so the heater is very helpful for me as well.

I paid less than 200 for mine from eBay, it's well worth that, and more, though I'd probably balk at spending 500+.

I wouldn't recommend moving it if you can avoid it, certainly not with it full, and Nova is very explicit about warning you against doing that. Filling and emptying for each session would take away much of it's convenience, but that wouldn't be any worse than filling trays, and it's much easier to empty than trays.

dancqu · Aug 14, 2007

jeroldharter said:
I have a 16x20 Nova Quad processor.
I rarely use it anymore.

For the money, I would use the single
tray method (that is what I do even with
a large darkroom). You can search and find
alot of details.

I'll second that. The single tray method is similar
to rotary processing save for the convenience of tray
loading vs tube loading. Seeing the prints come up
is a plus.

As with rotary processing single tray printing can
use repeat or one-shot chemistry. Jerold uses repeat
while I use more dilute chemistry one-shot. Great space
saver and if using chemistry one-shot skip the stop;
developer build-up in the fix is inconsequential.

A second tray is used when washing. Mine is the still
water diffusion method with very little agitation plus the
use of separators twixt prints. The method though is not
for those in a hurry and/or many prints. It makes though
for a huge savings in water.

You can forget fumes and odor by using a neutral to
little alkaline fix and a water stop or no stop at all. Fix
if of the old fashioned sodium type has no odor. Dan

Matthew Gorringe · Aug 14, 2007

I'm very happy with my 12x16 monochrome.

After having trouble initiallly with dimple patterns I took Ryuji's advice and purchased a burette cleaning brush, it makes short work of cleaning the developer slot which I do every two weeks. No more waffle.

From what you've written on the ads for your 8x10 and here it sounds like your wife will expect you to empty the chemicals each time and remove it from the "darkroom". This makes it a lot less convenient to use (but still no worse than trays) and also means you lose the ability of the processor to keep chemicals for a couple of days. It's still better than no darkroom.

I'm in a similar position to you and often think about the great artists and how they sufferred for their work; how they lost their wives (but often had mistresses), were more often than not broke, destitute, drunken, insane and remind my wife that things could be much worse if I really wanted to be successful.

Peter Black · Aug 14, 2007

I have a 10x8 Clubmate(?) where the fourth slot is for running wash water. I think it depends how often you print at sizes bigger than this as I rarely have done and the 10x8 has been fine. If you only occasionally print bigger than this, why not get the 10x8 for routine prints and then break out the trays for the odd bigger size? May be cheaper and more convenient all round. And don't forget to put a few drops of bleach in the water bath to prevent unwelcome growths!

Jon Shiu · Aug 14, 2007

Hi, does it work well with large floppy fiber paper without any bend marks? Also, any trouble keeping track of emergence time?

Jon

Matthew Gorringe · Aug 14, 2007

Hi Jon,
at 12x16 the Monochrome unit handles fibre paper well. I'm not sure how it would go at 16x20.

The sides are patterned but clear so you can see the print developing, it's also very easy to lift the print occasionally.

Mark Carstens · Aug 14, 2007

I am indebted to all of you. This is great information! Thank you!

Based on what I'm learning here, I'm reconsidering this method. I've heard of the single tray method, but haven't looked into it yet.

Also, I have a JOBO CPP2 that I process my film in, and had considered that option (I'd need to buy a print drum) because I would then only need to set up the darkroom for the enlarger, and to load the drum, but I've had trouble finding feedback about the method in the archives. There's actually more to be found about the slot processors. The downside for me is that, back when I last processed prints in a darkroom (high school -- many moons ago), watching the print come up was one of the hooks for being there in the first place. That said, there are trade-offs for every option.

Also, Matt, you're way ahead of my wife on the storage of the chemistry. I would likely be draining and washing the processor every time I use it, so there goes the convenience. Thanks for bringing that up.

~Mark

jeroldharter · Aug 14, 2007

Jon Shiu said:
Hi, does it work well with large floppy fiber paper without any bend marks? Also, any trouble keeping track of emergence time?

Jon

Fiber is not as easy as RC. Some thicker, double weight fiber papers do not easily fit into the Jobo paper clip that holds the paper sheet. The clip slightly marrs the edge of the paper so borderless printing would be a problem. Also, fiber based prints do not drop into the slots as smoothly as RC which is stiffer.

8x10 fiber paper is no problem with floppiness but larger sizes can sometimes require two clips to work well but I always find that a trick to execute. I suppose I could find a better way but I occasionally bend a sheet of paper while attaching the second clip and have to start over.

You cannot monitor emergence time because you can't see the paper. Takes away some of the magic.

If you use it on a cart (as I did) draining it requires some extra tubing and a bucket. If you use the 16 x 20 model in a sink, it can be too tall to easily manipulate 16 x 20 prints from slot to slot.

I am a clean freak with my equipment. Cleaning it is relatively easy but time consuming especially if it is not in a sink. You have to run a hose to the processor and hose down all of the surface area without making a mess. Alternatively, if you fill up each compartment of water and do water changes, you have to wait for each slot to drain through the little valve.

If you use it on a cart (as I did) draining it requires some extra tubing and a bucket. If you use the 16 x 20 model in a sink, it can be too tall to easily manipulate 16 x 20 prints from slot to slot.

I am a clean freak with my equipment. Cleaning it is relatively easy but time consuming especially if it is not in a sink. You have to run a hose to the processor and hose down all of the surface area without making a mess. Alternatively, if you fill up each compartment of water and do water changes, you have to wait for each slot to drain through the little valve.

Another thing, don't do like I once (briefly) did and try to use it for selenium toning. Then you can spend a weekend cleaning it.

I don't mean to complain about the Nova. It is a great tool and by all means buy new and support companies that make darkroom equipment. I paid full fare for mine. But, much like Mattg, I am often drunk and insane.

Also, as FlyingCamera points out, it the heating element works well for cold darkrooms.

jeroldharter · Aug 14, 2007

Single tray processing

Check out this link:

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

Mark Carstens · Aug 14, 2007

Thanks, Jerold. It seems like it's probably most useful for prints 16x20 and larger. That said, it's certainly another viable option given limited darkroom space.

~Mark

jeroldharter · Aug 14, 2007

Mark Carstens said:
Thanks, Jerold. It seems like it's probably most useful for prints 16x20 and larger. That said, it's certainly another viable option given limited darkroom space.

~Mark

It is good for large prints although it takes some strength and long arms to manhandle the big trays and solutions. I do mostly 11x14 in a 14x17 tray.

Nova Slot Processor - Go/No Go?

Mark Carstens

eric

TheFlyingCamera

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Matt5791

dlin

Peter Williams

Mark Carstens

Bob F.

Dave Miller

jeroldharter

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Bob F.

bdial

dancqu

Matthew Gorringe

Peter Black

Jon Shiu

Matthew Gorringe

Mark Carstens

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