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

alanrockwood · Mar 5, 2015

paul_c5x4 said:
... Just over 7Kg :eek:

Hmmm, how much does 7Kg make in British pounds?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

L Gebhardt · Mar 5, 2015

I'd sell it - to fund a larger Jobo that takes the Expert Drums.

One sheet at a time with brush development in a tray works ok for me, but I prefer the Jobo if I have more than a few sheets. I never did master shuffling sheets in a tray without scratches.

FatBear · Mar 5, 2015

Randalcav said:
I think my hang up is how did the traditional photographers of the past, manage to pull of iconic results without a Jobo?

By using the best technology that they had available. I think I'd keep the Jobo.

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2015

alanrockwood said:
Hmmm, how much does 7Kg make in British pounds?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Fifteen Pounds Forty Pence.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 6, 2015

Randalcav said:
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?

if I were you,I would start the journey into LF photography with 4x5 and hang on to the processorbecause 4x5 provides essentially the same image quality but is a lot cheaper all around and the processor will work well for 4x5 negatives.

Randalcav · Mar 7, 2015

Ralph, If my ultimate large format ambitions were contact printing 5 x 7 and larger, along with exploring platinum/palladium would you start at 4 x 5? I now know this size would be ideal for my processor and probably make a lot of sense to progress into the LF realm. However, I have no desire to simply produce 4 x 5 negatives for practice or to even produce large size gallery prints. Is 4 x 5 really the avenue to enter large format if future contact printing is the goal, or is it a convenient way to have my Jobo processor drive my entry into this medium? I value your feedback on this topic and I certainly see the merit in 4 x 5 but I'm still on the fence?

Vaughn · Mar 7, 2015

4x5 is a great way to learn both the use of LF equipment as well as exploring alt processes...especially with rather expensive metals such as platinum.

The resulting 4x5 prints are great for any method of display where one holds the print or otherwise encourages a short viewing distance. Quite wonderful. If I was starting out on LF, I would again look for a 5x7 camera with a 4x5 back (unless weight for hiking, etc is most important).

Randalcav · Mar 7, 2015

Vaughn
I'm convinced that 5 x 7 with a 4 x 5 back is exactly the camera for my personal tastes and entry level ambitions into LF. You and Ralph make good points.
I agree that alternate processes certainly can be ironed out in a more cost effective manner at 4 x 5. 4 x 5 also enables me to give the Jobo a whirl and let the results speak for themselves. I can always get rid of it after taking it for a spin or two. I guess its time to dust of a rare working Moog synthesizer that I found at an estate sale for $25 and it to my LF funds. Thanks again to a group of well spoken LF photographers and craftsmen.

Vaughn · Mar 7, 2015

It was the way I stumbled into camera ownership. I used various 4x5 rail cameras (Linhof, Omega and Calumet) at the university, but my first 4x5 camera I bought was a Deardorf Special knock-off from India...pretty rough and as a 4x5 not great -- but a Deardorf 5x7 back fit right on it and it was perfect! The camera came as a package with a great 210mm lens, that also served perfectly for making 5x7's. Good Luck!

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

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