Really, REALLY need Help w/ Colorstar 3000

My beloved ColorStar 3000 has died!!! On trying to turn it on, I get the dreaded "E ..." and NOTHING!

Realizing that all of JOBO's activities have been taken over by Omega-Satter, I contactd them, and after a being bouncing all over their answering system, and a few conversations with a human being, the last answer is, "We don't repair ANYTHING here - we are only a Distribution Company. The ColorStar woud have to go back to the Netherlands - and they only have one tech who works on those. We e-malied them last week, and they have not responded yet." - All with a significant lack of enthusiasm. I asked them for any information about the other analyzers now or formerly suggested on their web site... "No, we don't have anything about those."
The best I could do would be to go to one of Omega's Dealers - "We don't sell anything directly" and order one.... (~ US$ 1400) or, rather try to convince one of their dealers to order one. "Anything else I could do? Any independent repair services you could suggest?" resulted in an immediate deep freeze.

So, Omega is of NO help.

I e-mailed S. K. Grimes - waiting for a reply.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions for a repair outfit wiling to work on this puppy? I would be eternally grateful for any help/ direction... and the Karma rewards would be immense!!

We had another bit of trouble here in Ipswich, Mass. Recent torrential rains damaged four (4) of the five (5) bridges over the Ipswich River, forcing their closure - effectivley splitting the town in two, held together, barely, with only miserably difficult vehicular traffic.

To me ... hah! .. nothing, compared to the loss of my ColorStar.

Ed Sorry to hear of this is disaster.This is probably not much use to you as you are the opposite side of the Atlantic but there is certainly one company in the UK who deal or did deal with the Colourstar 3000. It is called Odyssey. It's UK number is 01273 676768. The other company who has done repair work on 3000s for Nova Darkroom who used to sell new 3000s is Lightwave. I spoke to the guy at Lightwave about converting my 3000 to work witha Durst. it had been set up to plug into a Devere andI found him particularly helpful.

It's number is 01959 570281. In both cases you'll need the international dialling code for the UK. Sorry I don't have an email or web address for either.

I had been told that the original company in the Netherlands had gone out of business. Had I known that I might have thought twice about getting one. However your post suggests that there is still someone there.

Best of Luck

pentaxuser

You don't want to know the lengths I went trying to get an answer from anybody at Lici. I've heard of one person that actually dealt with them lately. I think they did it to just prove me wrong. It would be great if somebody in Europe went by and knocked on the door :rolleyes:

Odessey in the UK was willing to send the unit out to be fixed but I guess that's not any better then Omega sending it back. I ended up getting a second unit off Ebay. A lot cheaper then any other option I could find.

KHB was willing to look at it but had no diagrams etc. They are an Omega repair site at least for the enlargers. But like I said I don't think they've ever worked on a colorstar.

Omega has been handling the Colorstars even before they took over from Jobo. You'd figure they'd be better then this.

hey ed--I got rid of one of those a couple of months ago in a spring cleaning frenzy-- but I'm 99% sure that it's still at the store I traded it at. If you decide to find another one, check with these guys:

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good luck all the same

KT

The Colorstar 3000 by Lici was also distributed by Jobo, who later made the ColorLine 5000, which was produced by Jobo in Germany. I assume there are service options from Jobo for the Colorstar. I might call Jobo in Germany asking for service availability if you want to.

SK Grimes is probably not a good idea, they are mostly a machine shop, afaik.

What does that mean, you get "the dreaded E"?

A parcel to Europe might not be that expensive (try USPS), and you will probably work around any customs trouble by labeling it as defective equipment intended for repair.

Petzi said:

The Colorstar 3000 by Lici was also distributed by Jobo, who later made the ColorLine 5000, which was produced by Jobo in Germany. I assume there are service options from Jobo for the Colorstar. I might call Jobo in Germany asking for service availability if you want to.

What does that mean, you get "the dreaded E"?

A parcel to Europe might not be that expensive (try USPS), and you will probably work around any customs trouble by labeling it as defective equipment intended for repair.

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I would be *deeply* indebted to you if you could contact JOBO directly. I *loved* the ColorStar 3000, but the later "ColorLine 5000 - 7000 (?)" models were of great interest as well.
I can't get any information from Omega about the "later" JOBO analyzers. Nothing ...

"The dreaded E ..." indicates a massive system error. I can't tell whether the Central unit itself, or the probe is defective.

OK, I'll call them, but not before Monday of course.

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Petzi said:

OK, I'll call them, but not before Monday of course.

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Thank You! Danke!! Merci!!! Tack sa mycket!! Kiitos- kiitos paljon!!

This is all over an analyzer? Are you using it for color or B&W?

LiCi (from the Netherlands, Amsterdam) is already gone for some years.

You can try Jobo in Germany:
Kölner Strasse 58
D-51645 Gummersbach
tel. +49 (0)2261 545-0

info@jobo.com

Alternative if they can not repair anything:
Color analyzer CFL-4012 from FEM-Kunze (Wallner), they are still in business:

Ask for Mr. Kunze himself.
http://www.fem-kunze.com

FEM-Kunze GmbH
Rudolf Dieselstrasse 6
D-86850 Fischach
tel. +49 (0)8236 96080

A CFL-4012 will be around Eur. 850,00 and a one way package send to the USA (cheaper!).
I prefer the CFL-4012 over the Colorstar but both are excelent products.

Best regards,

Robert

Fotohuis said:

LiCi (from the Netherlands, Amsterdam) is already gone for some years...

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Thank you!!! for all the information.

I'll contact these people as soon as I can. I think JOBO AG might be interested in just how Omega-Satter is handling and selling their equipment. I'd really like more information about their ColorLine analyzers... and I think Omega-Satter is, in effect, denying their existence.

FEM analyzers are indeed interesting! I've been muddling through their German web site - I'm not very fluent in German, but I've had contact with their engineering documents before - so I have some idea of what they say.
I'll e-mail them directly ... hopefully, Englisch will not be too much of a language barrier.

Alexis Neel said:

This is all over an analyzer? Are you using it for color or B&W?

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Mostly for color Negative printing. I consider it essential in controlling the process, given changing film and paper characteristics. An example is my recent efforts with Fuji Crystal Archive ... I would have experimented and struggled through reams of paper before realizing that CYAN filtration was necessary.

I've read the thunderous pronouncements tht an analyzer was NOT a necessity - in fact, it wasa a "hindrance" to anyone learning to print in color... to which I disagree - as much as it is possible to disagree. One could say the same thing about using an exposure meter with the Zone System... or an iris diaphram .. or even a mechanical shutter with a lens. All, so the crusty "purists" say, has the effect of keeping anyone frm learning the "true photography."

I suppose I am a Luddite for remaining with film. Maybe so, but there is a limit to "Ludditeism" - as with all things .. and struggling with color balance and my not-so-good color vision is beyond the pale.

Yes, I NEED a color analyzer.

An example is my recent efforts with Fuji Crystal Archive ... I would have experimented and struggled through reams of paper before realizing that CYAN filtration was necessary.

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Yep, the new modern laser light RA-4 papers have different settings....

With the AD2000 densitometer the FEM-Kunze CFL-4012 is calibrating itself. Most information is unfortunately in German but I have also some English documentation/manuals. Their instruments can be switched in different languages, including English.
You can call Mr. Kunze in English but indeed the company is not very international orientated, it's a pity because specially their color instruments are really good including their service and costs.
Mail me if you have some interest.
http://www.FotohuisRoVo.nl :FEM-Kunze distributer for the Netherlands.

Robert

Ed Sukach said:

I'll contact these people as soon as I can. I think JOBO AG might be interested in just how Omega-Satter is handling and selling their equipment. I'd really like more information about their ColorLine analyzers... and I think Omega-Satter is, in effect, denying their existence.

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Ed, the Colorline was discontinued a couple fo years ago. In fact, the last shipment to the US to Jobo-USA (before they went belly-up) was sold even before it arrived in US. The info I was able to get was that JOBO AG did not make it themselves, and it may have been also made by LICI. It used the same technology as the Colorstar, just presented it differently. Some used ones show up from time to time. I found a 5000 in excellent condition about the time the 7000 was discontinued. There is not really much difference between the 5000, 5100 and 7000 just bells and whistles. There may still be some data on the Jobo archive site accessed from Omega-Satter site.

Hope this helps a little.

Bob

Lopaka said:

Ed, the Colorline was discontinued a couple fo years ago... There may still be some data on the Jobo archive site accessed from Omega-Satter site.
Bob

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Thanks for the try in helping. Unfortunately I have already tried Omega-Satter with absolutely *NO* luck. It is as if the ColorLine never existed ... No units for sale, no information available, nothing.

This is strange. I am seeing a DEMAND ... possibly not an overwhelming demand, but it does exist, and it appears to be increasing, with the age-related demise of the exisiting units ... and NO supply. Nada - nowhere, unless contact with FEM produces interest.

I wonder how long it will be before some bright, enterprising entrepreneur decides to reverse engineer one of these and start up a "garage business" producing them ...???

Come to think of it ... JOBO, - the "old" JOBO, when they were in Ann Arbor, DID service these things. I wonder if anyone here in the vast reaches of APUG, has any knowledge of anyone who worked there...?

Possibly, I could convince them to ... repair one more..??

I remember an article in an issue of Road and Track, where the restoration of an excedingly rare Classic Car was done. This car had burned in a garage fire, and more or less, melted (I think it was a Singer Sports SS 100 - later to become Jaguar..). The most vexing problem was the radiator -- an unusual configuration. After some search, they were able to locate the Singer employee who had built the original radiators, and they managed to get him to build one more... some thirty years after the last one he made.

Maybe -- hopefully ... "Six degrees of separation" will work?

Ed,
I think there are two problems with this analogy: 1) the restoration of a vintage car is generally a "cost no object" enterprise and I can't imagine that you would approach this problem in the same way and 2)where would the tech get parts? Omega Satter has handled distribution of the Colorstar for quite some time. They took over when Jobo introduced the Colorline analyzers. Even if a tech could be located we are many years removed from Jobo having either an active interest or a parts supply for that product.

On the other hand replacing it with later model would not be very difficult. The shop I work in has a NIB colorline 7000 on the shelf and I know of at least one low mileage 5000 that needs a new home. Have you tried some of the obvious sources for second hand photo stuff. I would bet that used color analyzers are selling for reasonable prices. Good luck.
Celac.

Ed Sukach said:

Come to think of it ... JOBO, - the "old" JOBO, when they were in Ann Arbor, DID service these things. I wonder if anyone here in the vast reaches of APUG, has any knowledge of anyone who worked there...?

Possibly, I could convince them to ... repair one more..??

I remember an article in an issue of Road and Track, where the restoration of an excedingly rare Classic Car was done. This car had burned in a garage fire, and more or less, melted (I think it was a Singer Sports SS 100 - later to become Jaguar..). The most vexing problem was the radiator -- an unusual configuration. After some search, they were able to locate the Singer employee who had built the original radiators, and they managed to get him to build one more... some thirty years after the last one he made.

Maybe -- hopefully ... "Six degrees of separation" will work?

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pelerin said:

Ed,
I think there are two problems with this analogy: 1) the restoration of a vintage car is generally a "cost no object" enterprise and I can't imagine that you would approach this problem in the same way...

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I don't think I've QUITE reached the "repair - money no object" stage .. yet. Having been involved in the restoration/ building of assorted vehicular machinery .. I would say that not many ever do. I know of a disassembled Volvo P1800 in storage for a few years, waiting for money.
I am geting close to pulling out at least *some* stops, though.

... and 2)where would the tech get parts?

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Depends on the parts. There must be some - somewhere...

Omega Satter has handled distribution of the Colorstar for quite some time. They took over when Jobo introduced the Colorline analyzers.

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Yes, I understand. I wonder what happened to the repair facility. Omega-Satter obviously did not take that over.

On the other hand replacing it with later model would not be very difficult. The shop I work in has a NIB colorline 7000 on the shelf and I know of at least one low mileage 5000 that needs a new home. Have you tried some of the obvious sources for second hand photo stuff. I would bet that used color analyzers are selling for reasonable prices. Good luck.
Celac.

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Oh, I have tried. B&H lists the Colorline 3000 - new - for $1400. A steep price to pay, considering that warranty service - and in fact, any service - appears to be nonexistant.

Riiiight! "These things are a dime a dozen." Then one tries to find one - for dozen$ - and reality sets in. I'm looking - I'm LOOKING!!

Speaking of "looking" ... really? A Colorline 7000 on the shelf, and a lm 5000?? Any possibility of a transaction there??

Ed,
I'm sure it is frustrating to have an essential piece equipment fail on you and I did not intend to make light of your situation. All I meant to indicate was that heroic measures might be economically painful.

Ed Sukach said:

<snip>

Depends on the parts. There must be some - somewhere...


Yes, I understand. I wonder what happened to the repair facility. Omega-Satter obviously did not take that over.

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Jobo's repair department closed when they folded up the Ann Arbor facility. My point however was that responsibility for the Colorstar had passd to Omega/Satter many years before the demise of Jobo. There are several places where you can get Jobo equipment competently serviced (Imagetech and Smith Electromechanical are two on the west coast) but Jobo were not responsible for Colorstar at the point when they closed.

Ed Sukach said:

<SNIP>

Speaking of "looking" ... really? A Colorline 7000 on the shelf, and a lm 5000?? Any possibility of a transaction there??

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Drop me a PM with your contact info and I will see on Monday what I can do to help you. Do you remember the name of the person you spoke with at Omega?
Celac.

Ed. Sorry to hear that the situation is looking worryingly bad for you. I have looked at two sites in the U.K. One is Nova Darkroom. It is listing a 3000 at £400 and the other is Secondhand Darkroom Supplies which is listing the same make of machine at £395.

I can contact both tomorrow, Monday, to check that their stock position is as per their website.

I can also contact Odyssey and Lightwave to ask if they could repair yours and get a rough cost estimate.

Let me know if you'd like me to check these out.

pentaxuser

There is one on eBay, complete with manual. If a manual would help perhaps you could bribe him for a copy.

i have a colorstar 2000 for sale at this moment with extra modules and reserve spot and others click ons. Maybe something for you?
I bought a 3000 but got a 2000 send to me which i already had.....

Ed Sukach said:

Oh, I have tried. B&H lists the Colorline 3000 - new - for $1400. A steep price to pay, considering that warranty service - and in fact, any service - appears to be nonexistant.

Riiiight! "These things are a dime a dozen." Then one tries to find one - for dozen$ - and reality sets in. I'm looking - I'm LOOKING!!

Speaking of "looking" ... really? A Colorline 7000 on the shelf, and a lm 5000?? Any possibility of a transaction there??

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Ed-- that Colorstar 3000 I mentioned is still at that camera store--I saw it over the weekend. I bought it as almost brand new at about <15% of the price you quote from B&H, and I can't say how much it would be now, but I can't imagine it being really high, since it will probably sit there forever in all likelihood. There is simply little if any market in my area for these sorts of things. Almost anyone still using a darkroom, are students or hobbyists using condenser heads and printing b/w. They're not interested in analyzers, color heads, processors....that stuff just sits there and gathers dust.

KT

If Satter/Omega or others can supply you with..sell to you..an electrical schematic..a parts list would not hurt either..then I would guess many firms could find the problem and fix it for you. If you are able to get the schematic,then deal with a trusted local firm, TV and general electronic repair firm for example, that you can visit and talk to in person. Someone who likes family photos to be taken and is an electronic hobbyist might also be helpful to you..swapping services.

Just some general advice to purchasers of electronic..and other equipment..it is helpful at the time someone is trying to sell you something to inquire about and to purchase parts lists and electronic diagrams. It is also a very good idea to store the items where they can be found when you have trouble. The more that one relies on an item fror day to day use, the more critical it is to you, the more sense it makes to do this.