Darkroom processors

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Hi, I have started to look into doing my own processing-- Im looking for opinions on the least labor intensive method-- Im looking at the Jobo processors, but I would value user input. I realize I have a ton of reading to do, but any input would be appreciated. thanks,

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), December 06, 2001

Answers

Hi If you are doing b+w , I think you are better off processing film by hand ( i.e., film tank ) . Add developer and shake for about ten minutes , wash with water and then fix for about eight minutes and dry .This is a lot more convenient and cheap than using a jobo drum . Now if you are doing colour film , the jobo drum becomes a more reasonable option . It is cumbersome , and even with the jobo lift annoying to empty , yet it is accurate with temperature control and with the right drum , can hold eight or more reels of 35mm film . Just keep in mind that colour chemistry is relatively expensive and and it goes bad rather quickly .

leonid

-- leonid kotlyar (kotlyarl@mail.nih.gov), December 06, 2001.


Jobos give very even processing and are convenient to use, but if you're processing less than 20 rolls a week, it may not be worth the cost or space required. There's lots of good info (and opinions) in the film processing forum of LUSENET. My advice would be to get yourself some Patterson tanks and get acquainted with processing before you consider a Jobo. DO NOT , however, pour the developer in and shake for 10 minutes unless you want really contrasty, over-processed film. 10 seconds every minute is the way to go.

-- Steve Wiley (wiley@accesshub.net), December 06, 2001.

Film processing is like baking a cake. Just follow the instructions and presto! There are tons of books on darkroom work out there and most with step by step pictures. The most challenging part is loading the film onto the reels. I also recommend Patterson tanks and reels. First practice loading the reels in daylight while watch TV or something and then in the dark. After a while it will become second nature.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), December 06, 2001.

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