Jobo cpe-2 user's manual ?????

[eskorpid]

Hi everyone,
I am about to start developing my own b&w negs using a cpe-2 processor I got from ebay in good condition, which unfortunately came with no instruction manual.

I searched the JOBO website and all I could find were some broken links.

Could someone help please?

Thanks

 

[laptoprob]

Did you find one already? I have a similar problem.
Besides, I am wondering how to handle a two-reel tank with only one 35mm reel in it. There is room for 2 reels.
When using one reel, the system is not light-tight. Is it when using two reels?
If not, I will have to add the developer in my changing bag....

Any advice?

thanks, Rob.

 

[Socke]

short version is here

 

[eskorpid]

Hi Rob,
As a matter of fact, the local Jobo dealer was kind enough to hand me a copy of the user's manual. Not much information really, but after several attempts I can be quite certain about the following:

- Agitation can be tricky. If the tank is not totally flat, you might end up with negatives that are not uniformally developed. This happens because the tank is half-full of chemicals.

- The temp. control is far from accurate, at least in my unit. Just ignore the markings and get a thermometer.

All in all, I am quite dissapointed with the results, so I've gone back to the traditional agitation and use the Jobo only for keeping the chemicals at a fixed temp.

If you really need to develop 1 film at a time, why don't you get a 1-reel tank and just attach a tank-magnet at the bottom.

Regards

Nondas

 

[laptoprob]

Thanks Nondas and Socke,

You mean the reel in the tank tends to not rotate with the tank? I can imagine that if there is too much room in it. So I should get another reel or a smaller tank.
What about light-tightness? Add developer in the dark?

cheers, Rob

 

[Benjamin Marks]

It sounds like you may be missing a piece to your tank. The reels go on a plastic "core" and then all reels go in the tank. The system should be light tight whether there is one reel or two reels (or in the larger tanks 8). I would describe the question to the Jobo rep from whom you borrowed the manual and see what he says. You should not have to do anything in the dark except load the film onto the reels and the reels into the tank. The reels should NOT rotate freely inside the tank. The system is designed so that there is a bath about an inch deep of developer at the "bottom" of the tank when the tank and reels are on their sides. The film is spun through this bath by the action of the motor. Rotation of the reels inside the tank would be disastrous. As for the temperature control, it sounds like your thermostat is broken. You can start by heating water to 68F/20C and pouring it into the tank. Leave the Jobo's heater off. The volume of water needed to fill the Jobo will not shift in temperature by too much in the eight to eleven minutes that you are going to be developing film. After development is complete, the temperature is less critical.

 

[laptoprob]

Thanks a lot Benjamin, sounds like I am missing a critical piece!
That core piece also takes care of being light tight and filling the fluids?

thanks, Rob.

 

[Finder]

Nondas, the CPP-2 is much better - and much bigger. It regulates the temperature by itself, unlike the CPE and CPA. This is great when you running the processor for any length of time as the change in amibient room temperature does not affect the processor temperature.

If you are thinking of this, get the lift unit as it makes changing chemicals much easier and cleaner.

Rob, the core keeps the tank light tight. The amount of chemistry is dependent on the tank size rather than the number of reels in it. The manual should give you the correct amount of chemistry required.

 

[laptoprob]

Thanks Finder,
Still without a proper manual on the tank. I read somewhere I need about 300ml for a 2-reel tank.
Now all I need is the core.

Anyone has a spare for me?

thanks, Rob.

 

[dng88]

Thanks Finder,
Still without a proper manual on the tank. I read somewhere I need about 300ml for a 2-reel tank.
Now all I need is the core.

Anyone has a spare for me?

thanks, Rob.

Just in case anyone hitting this old thread like me, you can get all the jobo manual now online. Just google it!