Nova Washmaster Eco

[konakoa]

Anyone know if these are sold new in the USA? I'd like to try on of these washers and can't seem to find one anywhere.

Edit: I especially like that built-in hypo clearing slot. Would save an extra tray out in the darkroom.

 

[Kino]

Doesn't seem so, as indicated by this thread... https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/283047-nova-darkroom-products-in-the-us/

 

[logan2z]

Nova has no US distribution. I ordered my Washmaster Eco from them in the UK, but shipping is very expensive.

 

[konakoa]

Thank you Kino and Logan. Blast, I was wanting one too. Logan, did the shipping about double what the washer cost as described in the link Kino provided?

 

[logan2z]

Thank you Kino and Logan. Blast, I was wanting one too. Logan, did the shipping about double what the washer cost as described in the link Kino provided?

Pretty close. The shipping was about 170 GBP, the washer itself is 249 GBP.

 

[jvo]

as i viewed this thread it occurred to me that for more esoteric activities, like film photography, high shipping costs driving the entire product pricing is gonna be the norm and i'd better get used to it to get what i need and/or want! ( i may be late to that ah, hah moment).

 

[logan2z]

as i viewed this thread it occurred to me that for more esoteric activities, like film photography, high shipping costs driving the entire product pricing is gonna be the norm and i'd better get used to it to get what i need and/or want! ( i may be late to that ah, hah moment).

Same thought process here. I inquired with Nova about a year ago and decided that the high shipping costs weren't worth it. But I really wanted to move to a slot processor and wasn't happy with my existing print washer so I decided to just bite the bullet and pay the price for what I wanted. The washer is very nice and, after using the slot processor for a while, I don't think I could ever go back to trays.

 

[logan2z]

One caveat on the washer to anyone who is considering it. I think it's very well thought out and works well. My only complaint is that a couple of the vertical dividers don't quite fit perfectly into the slots in the bottom of the washer. Because of this they aren't fully supported on all three sides and that has caused those dividers to bow - one quite a bit. According to Nova, the dividers are 'hand scraped' to fit each washer individually so they can't just send replacements. Their suggestion was for me to sand/file them a bit myself so that they fit. Probably an easy fix that I haven't bothered to try yet, but it would be better if the dividers were made to fit from the factory.

 

[bdial]

Jobo USA (when it existed) distributed Nova here for a while, but that was long ago.

But even if they had a distributor here, shipping a large heavy box is expensive nowadays even if it doesn't have to cross borders and oceans to get from a warehouse to you.

I have a Nova quad, if it ever breaks, I'll probably be like logan2z and do a "cry once" and order up a replacement from Nova.

 

[iakustov]

One caveat on the washer to anyone who is considering it. I think it's very well thought out and works well. My only complaint is that a couple of the vertical dividers don't quite fit perfectly into the slots in the bottom of the washer. Because of this they aren't fully supported on all three sides and that has caused those dividers to bow - one quite a bit. According to Nova, the dividers are 'hand scraped' to fit each washer individually so they can't just send replacements. Their suggestion was for me to sand/file them a bit myself so that they fit. Probably an easy fix that I haven't bothered to try yet, but it would be better if the dividers were made to fit from the factory.

Sometimes the dividers bow if I forget to completely empty the washer, so I just make sure that no or minimum water is left in the compartments after use.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I have one of the Nova Academy washers for 24"x20" (60cm x 50cm) prints and have problems with bowing; to the extent I'm unable to use the full 10 slot capacity. I had assumed this was a particular problem with the larger units as the whole structure doesn't seem sufficiently robust, taking into account water pressure which would be less of an issue in terms of the smaller forces at work with, for example, a 16"x12" unit. I note that Nova no longer advertise my model, only selling a smaller version: https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/ProductGrp/Nova-Academy-III . The current larger model they sell is of a different design and smaller capacity: https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/ProductGrp/0005000400220009

 

[Tim V]

I bought a Nova for work recently and am disappointed with the build quality. Same as above, the dividers don’t really fit and bow a lot. Annoying. I got the 5 slot 16x20 model.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I bought a Nova for work recently and am disappointed with the build quality. Same as above, the dividers don’t really fit and bow a lot. Annoying. I got the 5 slot 16x20 model.

This comment is very useful for me, thanks. If at some point I need to make changes to my print washing I can thinking about looking at options from alternative manufacturers.

 

[logan2z]

I bought a Nova for work recently and am disappointed with the build quality. Same as above, the dividers don’t really fit and bow a lot. Annoying. I got the 5 slot 16x20 model.

Overall I don't have an issue with the build quality - it seems to be put together well enough and works well. But I think they do need to address the fit of the dividers to prevent bowing. I'm less than thrilled about that, especially considering the cost.

 

[logan2z]

Sometimes the dividers bow if I forget to completely empty the washer, so I just make sure that no or minimum water is left in the compartments after use.

That is interesting. The dividers in my washer showed no signs of bowing while using the washer the first few times, but after I emptied it and left it overnight after a printing session I came back to find some of them bowed. There was some water left in the bottom of the washer, it wasn't completely empty. I'm not sure why a bit of water left in the washer would cause a plastic divider to bow like that, but I'll see if completely emptying the washer makes any difference next time.

Once your dividers bowed, did they ever come back to their original shape?

 

[iakustov]

That is interesting. The dividers in my washer showed no signs of bowing while using the washer the first few times, but after I emptied it and left it overnight after a printing session I came back to find some of them bowed. There was some water left in the bottom of the washer, it wasn't completely empty. I'm not sure why a bit of water left in the washer would cause a plastic divider to bow like that, but I'll see if completely emptying the washer makes any difference next time.

Once your dividers bowed, did they ever come back to their original shape?

Yes, I was frustrated once, but after I emptied the washer completely, the dividers returned back to normal shape in a couple of days.

 

[logan2z]

Yes, I was frustrated once, but after I emptied the washer completely, the dividers returned back to normal shape in a couple of days.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[john_s]

I have one of the Nova Academy washers for 24"x20" (60cm x 50cm) prints and have problems with bowing; to the extent I'm unable to use the full 10 slot capacity. I had assumed this was a particular problem with the larger units as the whole structure doesn't seem sufficiently robust, taking into account water pressure which would be less of an issue in terms of the smaller forces at work with, for example, a 16"x12" unit. I note that Nova no longer advertise my model, only selling a smaller version: https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/ProductGrp/Nova-Academy-III . The current larger model they sell is of a different design and smaller capacity: https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/ProductGrp/0005000400220009

Interesting to look at the two washers linked. The larger one has textured dividers, and the smaller one seems to have smooth ones. I have a 16"x20" Summitek washer, made in the USA and now discontinued I think. It came (at great expense to me on the other side of the planet) with smooth dividers and I decided to pay extra and have some textured ones made, also at great expense, because it's a lot easier to move the prints when they're not adhering to a smooth surface.

I'd have to say that Nova products can be eye wateringly expensive but I wouldn't be able to cope in my tiny darkroom without mine.

 

[logan2z]

Interesting to look at the two washers linked. The larger one has textured dividers, and the smaller one seems to have smooth ones. I have a 16"x20" Summitek washer, made in the USA and now discontinued I think. It came (at great expense to me on the other side of the planet) with smooth dividers and I decided to pay extra and have some textured ones made, also at great expense, because it's a lot easier to move the prints when they're not adhering to a smooth surface.

I'd have to say that Nova products can be eye wateringly expensive but I wouldn't be able to cope in my tiny darkroom without mine.

FWIW, I have the 12x16 Washmaster Eco and it has textured dividers - well, one side is textured the other is smooth.

 

[tezzasmall]

Can't remember what it's called, but I believe the guy (and now with his son) who invented and made these washers, is now retired. BUT, on Kickstarter, he made a totally new designed version of a slot processor / washer. that too was a bit expensive but I think comparable in price with the washers. Does anyone remember this or maybe even buy one? If I didn't have a working NOVA slot processor I think I may have bought one.

Terry S

 

[logan2z]

Can't remember what it's called, but I believe the guy (and now with his son) who invented and made these washers, is now retired. BUT, on Kickstarter, he made a totally new designed version of a slot processor / washer. that too was a bit expensive but I think comparable in price with the washers. Does anyone remember this or maybe even buy one? If I didn't have a working NOVA slot processor I think I may have bought one.

Terry S

I think this is the one you're referring to:

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

 

[tezzasmall]

Wow! That was quick!!!

Yep, that's the one = and I'd just found the link in my history and was about to post it as well.

Bottom line is, the complete product costs £840.00 sterling. Don't know about carriage as I haven't reread it all yet.

Terry S

 

[logan2z]

Wow! That was quick!!!

Yep, that's the one = and I'd just found the link in my history and was about to post it as well.

Bottom line is, the complete product costs £840.00 sterling. Don't know about carriage as I haven't reread it all yet.

Terry S

With a total of 8 backers I'm surprised they would put the Optima 12 into production. But it looks like it just made its modest goal so perhaps they will produce them. According to their Kickstarter page, it's supposed to start shipping next month.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I see that fotoimpex.com lists a range of washers from Kienzle.

 

[logan2z]

I see that fotoimpex.com lists a range of washers from Kienzle.

Those print washers make the Novas look downright inexpensive.