Uniroller and Jobo tanks for 4x5 and...

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I've been using a Unicolor Uniroller for my 4x5 processing, developing only 2 sheets per run (no spacer/don't trust it)

I really only have time on the weekends to develop film and it's painful to do two sheets at a time, especially when I only have two or three hours to work with.
I'm pretty sure that you can use Jobo tanks with 2409n reels that fit like 6 to 12 sheets of film.. Right? I just want to make sure before I plunk down my money.. Some 2000-series tanks fit, others don't.. Right? Any particular ones?
I'd tray or tank develop with hangers but I don't have a darkroom at the moment and can only use the bathroom for so long before someone needs to use it. Also, tray developing doesn't work out so well for me; I scratch and gouge things with my Uniroller, let alone...

Also, and older gentleman gave me a 4x5 graphic pack film holder and an unopened 4x5 tri-x pack film that expired in 1980. It was stored in a freezer.
This stuff is awesome, I wish it were still made. The film is quite thin but you can rip through 16 sheets of film in one holder like nothing. sigh...

 

[Bob F.]

The Jobo tanks for the 2409 reels are primarily the 2523 (1 reel) and 2553 (2 reel) cog fitted tanks (see: http://www.jobo-usa.com/products/2500.htm for all the options). Others will have to confirm if they fit the Uniroller as I don't have one - I use a CPE-2. The CPE-2 can be had quite cheaply these days...

You can use the Unicolor with 4 sheets or 4x5: see this forum post:- (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Get a 2551 tank. It will work wonderfully on your unicolor roller. Go NO smaller. You can go all the way up to a 2581 [8 reel tank should be the right number] with no issues. Bigger then that and you'd have to stand thier and balance the tank with your hand.

Same issues with the print tanks. The 8x10 and 11x14 tanks work wonderfully. 2830 and 2840. The 16x20 tank [2850] needs to be balanced. Not a big issue just rest your hand on it while it spins. Smaller tanks like the test strip tank are too small. Likewise the smaller film tanks [2521 for example] are too small.

The above tanks will easily handle B&W or colour. All you need to add for colour is a tempering bath.

Did I answer the question?

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Yup! Thank you!!!

ps- Kodak 4x5 pack film is more like 4x5.2 and it won't fit in a Uniroller
pps- The film is great!

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Also, poking around the net yielded much of the same. I'm losing it! Sorry for the post!

 

[Nick Zentena]

I forgot to mention. Don't pay more for a tank with the cog lid. Get the cheaper model with the rubber red cap. If you get the cog lid you'll either want to replace it or find some sort of stopper to fit it. Either way no use paying more for the cog lid.

 

[photobackpacker]

While the jobo reels allow you to load 6 sheets per reel, I don't recommend it. 4 sheets (skip the middle slot) seems to be the max to ensure even development.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Plenty of us manage six sheets no problem. Others seem to have problems. All I can say is try it and see.


I've had no problems with a total of 12 sheets on two reels. The densitometer might notice the difference but my eyes can't see any.

 

[cmaxwell]

Hi

I'm thinking about getting a JOBO 2551 tank and their reels for 4x5 and maybe a Unicolor roller or the JOBO Hand Roller, But in searching the JOBO website, I can't seem to find the 2551 tank with the Red Stopper, they either come with the cog or the magnetic couplinmg, Any help or advice on what tank model number to get that has the stopper ????
Thanks

 

[Nick Zentena]

The magnetic coupled tanks come with red stoppers. The cog tanks remove the magnet and change the lid to a cog.

If the tank number ends in a 1 then it's a magnet tank with a rubber lid.

If the tank number ends in 3 then it's a cog tank.