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So why are Cibachrome print drums so much cheaper than Jobo drums?

rpavich

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Aug 24, 2015
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Location
West virginia, USA
Format
35mm
I recently bought a Jobo CPE2 with the intent of doing C-41 and RA-4 at temp but realized that I'd much rather do RA-4 at room temp on a Unicolor Roller with a drum.

I've been using my Jobo drums on the roller but started wondering why Cibachrome drums were so much cheaper and could accomplish the same thing?

Is there something that I don't know about them? Do they work as well as the Jobo drums for prints?

Do they work the same way inside with the raised rails for the prints to catch on and stay against the inside wall?

I'm just wondering.
 
Cibachrome drums are really old now.
JOBO drums are part of a system that is currently being produced, and that offers a tremendous variety of film and print development options, including (in some cases) automatic or semi-automatic development. They are designed to be used with equipment that helps maintain accurate temperature control. As such, some of them are more complex than others.
Cibachrome drums are relatively simple. They work really well for manual development of prints (and for some people, sheet film). They are not particularly well suited to being used at any temperature other than room temperature.
I use the Cibachrome drums with black and white RC paper, and have used them with Ilfochrome as well.
 
Thanks Matt.
Since my goal is RA-4 processing at room temp they sound like a good option.
 
You don't have to turn the heater on when using the CPE-2.
The thermostat goes down to 20C, which I hope is well below your room temperature.

It works fine at room temperature, with or without water.

- Leigh
 
Last edited:
Leigh B said:
You don't have to turn the heater on when using the CPE-2.
It works fine at room temperature, with or without water.

- Leigh
Click to expand...
I thought turning it on without water would ruin it?
That's good to know, I guess I keep it turned all of the way down and no worries as long as the heater doesn't go on?
 
You can put water in it if you want. Doesn't hurt anything.
Just turn the thermostat all the way down so the heater doesn't come on.

- Leigh
 
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