I have been given the excellent opportunity to use a Jobo processor and a 4x5 camera for the first time. I was wondering what advantages, or disadvantages there are between the Jobo and dip n' dunk for sheet film developing.

-- andy laycock (agl@intergate.bc.ca), December 13, 1998

Answers

The most commonly-cited advantage of using a rotary processor is development evenness; even the most experienced workers have a hard time getting really evenly-developed negs when working in trays, or avoiding streaks with hangars. The Jobo Expert Drum (for sheetfilm) is considered to be the best way. Personally I use old Unicolor print drums for 4x5 and 8x10 b&w sheetfilm; they work great and are so common on the used-gear market they're almost free. Unicolor only, because those drums have ribs that allow solutions to get around to the base side of the film and remove dyes etc. Jobo print drums won't work for film. To do C-41 or E-6 I'd use either a Jobo 2509N reel-type drum for 4x5 or, preferably if I had a Jobo CPP, an Expert Drum. No experience with that thought; I don't process color sheetfilm. I have such a low volume it isn't remotely cost-effective.

-- John Hicks / John's Camera Shop (jbh@magicnet.net), December 15, 1998.