Would you sell a Jobo CPE2 to raise funds for a large format camera?

Randalcav · Feb 28, 2015

I'm considering buying a large format camera and have a Jobo CPE2 processor. I acquired it, like new many years ago, but never use it. I process all my 35 and 120 film manually. I would like to acquire a 5 x 7 format camera to enter the next stage of my photographic pursuits. If you were me, would you hang onto the Jobo CPE2 to process the 5 x 7 film or would you sell it to raise cash for the camera and process the film manually? My focus would be on black and white initially and then I'd like to try platinum/palladium. Any thoughts?

Mick Fagan · Feb 28, 2015

I have a Jobo CPE2 with lift, I would never attempt to develop my 4x5" sheet film in anything other than the Jobo, it gives very consistent and really even development results.

I have developed sheet film, 4x5" and 8x10" in trays/dishes, by inversion in tanks, in large automated dip 'n' dunk machines, and in small home based dip 'n' dunk machines as well as rotary in my Jobo. Using the Jobo is the best and easiest and close to the cheapest method of developing sheet film.

I myself, would be averse to selling off a rotary processor to purchase something that could use a rotary processor to work very well.

So my answer is, no.

Mick.

Randalcav · Feb 28, 2015

Mick,
Thanks for the input. I think my hang up is how did the traditional photographers of the past, manage to pull of iconic results without a Jobo? I struggle with everything being automated and that's probably why this is in the attic. I am smart enough to pull it out for this phase of my photography if its essential for good results. Is it a tool that is absolutely necessary for large format despite the fact that in a smaller format such as 120 or 135 consistent and acceptable results are relatively easy? I appreciate your input.

munz6869 · Mar 1, 2015

I heartily agree with Mick (!!) - I have never had as good results processing sheet film prior to getting my CPE2 (without lift). And for me, it's not so automated, as say my fancy spot meter, or using the reciprocity app on my iphone - to me it's just a motorised rolling tank in a temping bath...

Marc!

Sirius Glass · Mar 1, 2015

I agree with Mick. I tried tray and various tanks for 4"x5" film. I get the best results with the Jobo.

Mick Fagan · Mar 1, 2015

Oooh, I just re-read your original question, you actually mention 5x7 film, not 4x5 film.

The Jobo CPE2 with lift is not readily capable of processing sheet film sizes larger than 4x5. You can if you wish use paper drums like you would as in paper developing, but in the long run I wouldnt suggest it. I have done this, but went to a film reel for my sheet film once I had one.

If you are in fact going to acquire a 5x7 camera, then, even if you have a reducing back allowing you to shoot 4x5 film, you will need either a bigger Jobo machine starting from the CPA-2 or CPP-2 upwards, or a higher specified again, ATL model, or you can use a roller base, which is cheap as, in comparison.

If indeed you are definitely going to acquire a 5x7 machine, then my suggestion is to move the CPE2 unit on, which is a pity as they are an excellent machine for developing of 135, 120 and 4x5 film, super consistently.

Rotary development of sheet film, has brought a real evenness of development to me. Compared to either inversion or dish/tray developing, this doesnt mean it is not viable, or even not any good, it is! I just wouldnt go back to either of those methods, unless I had no other way of developing my films.

With regard to film development by rotary development, in a machine with a tempering water bath and equipped with a lift, you can certainly obtain excellent to virtually perfect results, time after time after time. The real benefit of a lift is when and/or if you ever decide to develop C41, which, if you decide to shoot colour one day, is a real dandy accessory on a Jobo.

The reason is simple, C41 process runs at 37.7ºC (38ºC in practice) with the first bath being 315 long. Having a lift means that run after run, you can be really consistent in maintaining that 315 development and shutting further development down with a stop bath right on 315. This is not impossible with any other development method, as in tray/dish or inversion for example, but a real lot simpler with rotary development on a Jobo rotary processor.

If you ever do a reasonable amount of film developing, then rotary development does have advantages with sheet film, but you certainly can develop with many other methods at your disposal, with the simplest being tray/dish. Whether or not you do colour or B&W, the processes are identical, just the number of baths and the times are different, simple really.

Mick.

Dr Croubie · Mar 1, 2015

Mick Fagan said:
Oooh, I just re-read your original question, you actually mention 5x7” film, not 4x5” film.

The Jobo CPE2 with lift is not readily capable of processing sheet film sizes larger than 4x5”. You can if you wish use paper drums like you would as in paper developing, but in the long run I wouldn’t suggest it. I have done this, but went to a film reel for my sheet film once I had one.

Not completely true, there is the CL81 from CatLabs which will do 3 sheets of 8x10 in a Multitank 5 on a CPE.
But still true is that there isn't a 5x7" option like this (yet). You could always buy a CL81 and just cut down the middle column (it's only a piece of PVC), and rejoin it closer. The films might slide around a bit though.

I've done 5x10" (aerial film sticky-taped in an 8x10" holder) in 2800 paper drums, and that's annoying like Mick said. But it gets the job done and is really my only option besides trays.

Some people do, but I would never even think about, processing colour without a Jobo. Yes, it's possible without one, but so much easier with one. So there's my question, do you shoot colour or only B+W?
At any rate, if you sell the CPE, keep the tanks. I've done enough developing (both film and big paper) on rollers that they're worth it just by themselves even without the CPE.

LJH · Mar 1, 2015

I do 7x17" in 2xxx tanks. No issue whatsoever, so 5x7" will likewise be fine. They have ridges set for 7", so just slide them in!

ic-racer · Mar 1, 2015

Kind of like selling a Ries tripod to fund a large format camera. I'd keep the Jobo.

WayneStevenson · Mar 1, 2015

I have a Jobo ATL flavour and I never use it. It's a dust collector.

I process my 135, 120, 4x5, and 8x10 all by hand. Colour and B&W. 4x5 and down are all done in SS tanks (2 sheets of 4x5 will go in double 120 tanks), or in the case of 4x5 when I am processing large amounts, I use the Jobo tanks with the cog pulled off and a cap on it for inversion processing with their 4x5 reels.

For colour prints, I use a Unicolor type rotary base just because it's easier to keep my chemicals at temperature though I hear some people are using RA-4 at room temperature which I haven't gotten around to trying myself.

The only issue in trays I have had are with X-ray films as the emulsion is very easily scratched. I a line of 8x10 steel tanks and hangers for that.

I would sell my Jobo but I am a bit of a hoarder and think I will need it some day, eventually, and regret parting with it. Even though I haven't used it since 2011 when I bought it.

Rick A · Mar 1, 2015

I sold my CPE2 w/lift to fund large format gear, I didn't use it enough to justify keeping it. I would do it again. What little smaller format film I shoot gets done in small tanks, and I do 4x5 taco style for now. I am eagerly awaiting arrival of my 11x14 camera, and I'll be developing that in a tray one sheet at a time.

Vaughn · Mar 1, 2015

I develop 4x5 to 11x14 in trays, one at a time, all evenly developed, but I probably have forgotten any problems I had in since my first ones some 30 years ago. I started out using 4x5 film hangers and tanks -- once one learns the best way to dip those in and out for aggitation, they worked fine, but I liked the trays better.

I have some Jobo 3005 tanks now -- ahhhhhhh wonderful for 8x10 and 5x7! On a motor base instead of a big Jobo unit. But I just got a Jobo CPA2 with lift in good condition...need to read up on it to see if it can handle a 3005 drum...starting with getting the serial number later today.

Randalcav · Mar 2, 2015

I want to thank everyone for taking the time give an opinion on this. I applaud each of you for detailing your personal tastes for processing sheet film and providing suggestions to me. Many are well thought out and contain valuable information. I think I'm going to buy a 5 x 7 camera with a 4 x 5 reducing back and keep the Jobo for now. I'm going to compare my processing skills on 4 x 5 initially, using hand and rotary methods. Then move up to 5 x7 and determine where to go from there. Thanks Guys!

Vaughn · Mar 2, 2015

Good luck! I found that moving from 4x5 to 5x7 was very easy -- easier than the jump from MF to 4x5 and easier than the jump from 5x7 to 8x10. Now going to 11x14 was not a jump -- it was an all-out leap!

paul_c5x4 · Mar 2, 2015

Mick Fagan said:
The Jobo CPE2 with lift is not readily capable of processing sheet film sizes larger than 4x5. You can if you wish use paper drums like you would as in paper developing, but in the long run I wouldnt suggest it.

I've started down the path of small ULF (10x12), and the first few sheets I've shot have been processed in a paper drum - It worked quite well, so I suspect I'll be using the CPE quite a bit.

For processing 5x4 sheets, I usually grab a Paterson Orbital, or if I'm doing a large batch, set up a dip'n'dunk line with CombiPlan tanks & carriers. Come to think of it, a Paterson Orbital would be a good solution for daylight processing of 5x7 sheets. - Don't know if they are very common in the USA...

mkillmer · Mar 3, 2015

I have an Jobo ATL and I would never part with it. I use it to process 35, 120, 4x6, 5x7,8x10, film and paper negatives. A great device.

Axle · Mar 3, 2015

Keep the Jobo. Save your change daily in a jar, you'll find you'll have a good amount in no time! That's how I funded my first LF and Second LF cameras.

MattKing · Mar 3, 2015

Axle said:
Keep the Jobo. Save your change daily in a jar, you'll find you'll have a good amount in no time! That's how I funded my first LF and Second LF cameras.

People need to have some context to understand fully Axle's post.

In Canada, we have done away with $1.00 and $2.00 bills, and replaced them with coins instead. So yes, even LF can be funded with your change

Axle · Mar 3, 2015

MattKing said:
In Canada, we have done away with $1.00 and $2.00 bills, and replaced them with coins instead.

True True! But I save my loonies and toonies (loonies=1$, toonies=2$) for coffee funds. I toss in quarters, nickles, and dimes.

jurie · Mar 5, 2015

Axle said:
True True! But I save my loonies and toonies (loonies=1$, toonies=2$) for coffee funds. I toss in quarters, nickles, and dimes.

But not pennies, because those aren't a thing anymore :-D

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2015

Welcome to APUG jurie

removed account4 · Mar 5, 2015

if you have never used it you don't have anything to miss.

I would get rid of it, save your $$
and buy your camera.

if you had said I am thinking of getting rid of this processor ..
I use it to process all my film
I have trouble with hand tanks, and trays and I am freaking out with the thought of manually
processing my exposed film ...

life is too short to hold onto things you never use that might later be considered deadweight..

have fun with your new camera!
john

paul_c5x4 · Mar 5, 2015

MattKing said:
In Canada, we have done away with $1.00 and $2.00 bills, and replaced them with coins instead. So yes, even LF can be funded with your change

In the UK, we also had the one pound note replaced with a coin. Then a two pound coin was introduced to add yet more weight to our pockets. If you are real lucky, you may even come across a five pound coin from time to time..

But you are right, saving the coins can go some way to funding larger formats - I weighed in my coin jar a few weeks back. Just over 7Kg :eek:

removed account4 · Mar 5, 2015

paul_c5x4 said:
In the UK, we also had the one pound note replaced with a coin. Then a two pound coin was introduced to add yet more weight to our pockets. If you are real lucky, you may even come across a five pound coin from time to time..

But you are right, saving the coins can go some way to funding larger formats - I weighed in my coin jar a few weeks back. Just over 7Kg :eek:

lol

didn't the conquistadors drown because they filled their pockets with new world gold cions and they tried to swim back to
their ship? I hope all these currency replacing coins are made of electroplated plastic or aluminum so in an emergent situation you won't loose your pants or your life, or end up florida and get a fine for saggy, droopy drawers...

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2015

One and two pound coins! Imperial pound coins must cause pockets to tear and people to tip over!

Would you sell a Jobo CPE2 to raise funds for a large format camera?

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