To Jobo or not ?

If you are doing E6 exclusively, then all washing is done on the processor. I could be wrong here as I haven't done E6 for close to 6 years.

Anyway you will not need the Cascade washer. If you ever do decide to process by hand the cascade washer is one of the best hose systems that plugs into the top of the tank and allows flowing water which has been designed to allow air to enter the water system and create turbulence, thereby reducing water consumption.

The film cassette opener is overkill, I and a lot of others just use a bottle opener.

Maybe you could think about a film retriever instead. These little gems make it easy to retrieve the film leader from a completely re-wound film. Once you have pulled the leader out you can trim it square, then trim the hard edges off the corners. This makes the film slide through the reels really easy.

As for thermometers, I have been using an Ilford one for the past 30 years. I recently picked up another one as the markings were fading from all of the chemicals it had been dipped in. I have (for my business) an extremely accurate electronic thermometer, the Ilford ones, which read almost identically, are about 1/2 a degree C in agreement, which is as close as you could hope for. Others should be able to chime in regarding thermometers.

You will need film hanging clips to hang the films up to dry. They come in pairs, one is weighted, this goes at the bottom, the unweighted one goes on the top.

I hang my films up to dry in my darkroom on a crude but effective, re-worked dry cleaners wire clothes hanger.

You will need negative sleeve holders to store your films in. The ones for 35mm are usually 7 strips of 6 frames to a sheet. It usually pays to get a proper neg sleeve file holder as the neg sleeve holders are a funny size and cannot be stored in an A4 (or whatever your country uses) holder.

It may pay to somehow get a working lightbox for viewing your processed film, do a search for this on the forum. Anything will suffice, but a colour corrected (eventually) one is the best in the long run.

For cutting film, comfortable scissors

Mick.

Ps:- I just re-read your last post, have you also remembered to acquire a second reel :rolleyes:

Mick,

Is #1520 includes a reel for one 35mm?

Should I add the same plastic #1501 reel? What about the steel #1565 reel?

Thanks again!

I would suggest you use the plastic reel. I have never used metal reels in a Jobo, so I cannot comment on them, except to say I know the plastic Jobo reels work very well.

I don't believe that the metal reels for the Jobo system are that much better, if at all. It appears to be a preference for some people because they have used metal reels for many years for hand developing.

If you look around in your area, you should over time, be able to pick up the odd bit of Jobo developing stuff secondhand. This will enhance your capabilities for the day when you expand your film developing practices.

If you can pick up a secondhand 1510 tank this will be invaluable, it will enable you to develop film by hand. You may even be tempted to try B&W film in a year or two

Mick.

You helped me a lot!

I just discussed with a friend who develops Medium Format B&W film in home.
He uses a regular tank, not a Jobo machine.

Although he likes film over digital, he said development in home is a "no end of trouble" and my volume of 2-3 rolls per a months can't be justified with the money and time required to develop slides in home. Again, he doesn't use Jobo, if it matters.

What do YOU think?

Well it is a simple thing to develop film, especially slide film with a kit.

You just have to mix the chemicals as per the instructions, then follow development as per the instructions.

That is the simple part, it really is that simple.

I cannot see how doing home development is a problem, I have been developing film in all sorts of situations. I realise after you have some experience developing film, whether it be colour or B&W is nothing more than time, temperature and agitation, with a few variations which each individual will introduce.

Possibly the best thing you can do is be with your friend when some developing is done, then you will see just what is required to develop film.

As to whether you can justify spending money to purchase a machine and other related equipment to help you develop film, I cannot answer that.

That said, how could you justify the cost of many things that you do for fun?

Lets face it, very few people aspire to driving a Moskvitch or Trabant automobile, yet it is basic individual transport that will do the same basic job of the latest all singing all dancing motorcar.

I would get my feet wet only a litle bit at first. Purchasing a 1520 tank and an extra reel, a thermometer and the chemicals, plus the hanging clips, is pretty much all you need.

Other things you can scrounge around your house to use them. A dish with some warm water will do as a tempering bath. It is only the first developer that is quite critical regarding temperature, that developing bath will be over in under 7 minutes, you can breathe easier then and process the film in the next lot of baths more relaxed.

Mick.

Thanks Mick!

Last time I developed and printed 35mm B&W film was 25 years ago.

I will by the machine. Doing this thing again after such a long time will make me younger