JOBO verses Stainless Steel

[narsuitus]

For decades, I have used stainless steel for developing 35mm and 120mm color and black & white roll film.

I have never used JOBO; therefore, cannot comment on it.


35mm and 120 Developing by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[narsuitus]

For 4x5 inch sheet film, I use tanks.


Film Developing by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[venchka]

Many years ago I did a lot of rolling two 35mm rolls, back to back, on one stainless reel. I was working for college newspaper and yearbook. I would call it a utility grade process, not something for high quality. No experience with 120, might work for you but be sure to take them off the spool for washing. Good Luck. Joe

The JOBO reels take 2 rolls of 120 end to end with a moveable tab separating the two rolls. Or a single roll of 220 with the tabs moved out of the way.
Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Calzone]

DSC05763 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Cal.

For 8x10" my first choice is the Sinar Norma (the original Sinar). This camera is on permanent display at The Museum of Modern Art, as a design object. I've owned wooden and metal large format cameras of many types. My preference is for the Norma.

Here is my 8x10" Norma, with wide angle lens bag bellows, and Sinar Norma Shutter
Another good thing about Normas is that they are relatively plentiful.

N,

My Private Linhof Consultant built a wide angle 4x5. that kinda resembles your Norma. He is a mighty clever resourceful guy.

I'll definitely do more research on the Norma.

BTW I have about three years of experience using Piezography printing, and I am an early adopter of Piezography Pro. The PP has evolved to the level of a turnkey system that can print digital negatives without having to do any change of my glossy inkset that I use to print on paper.

Kinda crazy to think of contact printing, on silver fiber and using digital enlargement. Then perhaps to print limited edition on Kodak AZO.

Anyways at 59 years old I have a dream... I spent decades taking good care of myself, I put off being an artist, but now I believe I will have my chance because I paid the price.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I've done two rolls of 120 on one Jobo reel (smaller series 1500) using the supplied red tab to prevent the two rolls gradually overlapping. Worked well. I assume that the 2500 series reels come with the tab too, but I don't know.

John,

The 2502 reel similarly uses a stop/tab to space and separate like your 1500.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I can see using a 2500 Series 2560 tank using 5 2502 reels to develop 10 rolls of 120 in a tank.

Now I can't believe all the time I used developing just 4 rolls of 120 in my 2 liter SS tank.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

For decades, I have used stainless steel for developing 35mm and 120mm color and black & white roll film.

I have never used JOBO; therefore, cannot comment on it.


35mm and 120 Developing by Narsuitus, on Flickr

N,

That tall tank in the background, is that a three liter tank? Also can that handle a dozen reels of 135?

I was joking around thinking if they only made a 3 liter tank, and you might have one. Is that a Nikkor? Does your cap seal, or does it drip,, or leak?

Anyways one possible solution is just get a supersized tank like yours. Any info on securing a supersized SS tank like yours would be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

BTW my ambitions for using my 4x5 Linhof Tech IV might get delayed till I have a darkroom. Currently restricted to a Madhattan one-bedroom apartment and a changing bag.

Engineering wise a three liter SS tank might fit in my changing bag ("Changing Room") diagonally. Of course sticking with what one has is one approach...

BTW it is interesting how you other guys problem solve. I feel like this thread is like back in art school where there are all these possibilities.

Cal

 

[narsuitus]

That tall tank in the background, is that a three liter tank? Also can that handle a dozen reels of 135?

I was joking around thinking if they only made a 3 liter tank, and you might have one. Is that a Nikkor? Does your cap seal, or does it drip,, or leak?

I can get eleven 35mm rolls or six 120 rolls in my large Honeywell/Nikor stainless steel tank in the background.

When empty of reels and film, my large tank holds 2 1/2 liters (10 cups) of liquid.

If I put the correct lid on the tank, it does not leak much.

I primarily use it for black&white film. However, I once tried E6 chemistry but found it too difficult to fill and empty the large tank in a timely fashion.

I have had the tank for decades and do not remember where I bought it. I only remember that at the time, it was very expensive.

 

[newfilm]

Anyone have experience with the 2509N reel for sheet film?

I've been using 2509N with 4x5 and it uses a lot of developer (i do inversion), it does not leak, but with all the developer inside it's a tad heavy.

I also tried to do stand with it before, works ok, but eventually I gave up doing stand, don't really like the look of the negatives.

A few weeks ago I purchased SP-445, due to the above reason (I'm doing inversion), I have not use it yet (yes i need to go out shooting), but from inspection of the tank and it seems fitting my need, and developing 4 sheet at a time is fine by me, as I don't usually go out and come back with 36 frame of 4x5, some times I come back with none 🙁

I'd say the SP-445 is worth a look.

 

[Calzone]

I've been using 2509N with 4x5 and it uses a lot of developer (i do inversion), it does not leak, but with all the developer inside it's a tad heavy.

I also tried to do stand with it before, works ok, but eventually I gave up doing stand, don't really like the look of the negatives.

A few weeks ago I purchased SP-445, due to the above reason (I'm doing inversion), I have not use it yet (yes i need to go out shooting), but from inspection of the tank and it seems fitting my need, and developing 4 sheet at a time is fine by me, as I don't usually go out and come back with 36 frame of 4x5, some times I come back with none 🙁

I'd say the SP-445 is worth a look.

NF,

Thanks for your response. I definitely will check out the SP-445. I'm trying to spend my money once. The decision of what to buy is getting involved, but the due diligence costs no money, and my idea here is whatever I buy will be used for a long-long time.

Potential for growth in the future is also important.

I here you about sometimes getting skunked. Sometimes it is just a walk with a camera...

Cal

 

[newfilm]

Hi Carl, I promised to let you know how the SP-445 turn out, I got the chance to develop some sheet as the weekend weather was just perfect, I tried 2 sheet and 4 sheet development, and I am very pleased with the result.

There are however some scratch/mark along the tab (around the small tab that hold the film along the perimeters), did not happen to every sheet, only some.

1. loading the film in the dark need a little dexterity, hold the film at a slight angle as to avoid rubbing the film in the middle with the plastic film holder, I've got a scratch down vertical on two of my sheet (in compare Jobo 2509N has nothing in the middle that would scratch your film)

2. pre-wash the sheet film a few more time with extra inversion agitation, as the film when seated in the holder back to back water need a bit more encouragement to flow through to get all the anti-halation out.

3. if you have a tent changing bag or a darkroom then it's perfect, otherwise it's a bit inconvenient as the tank is pretty tall.

The inversion feels very light due to small amount of liquid in the container as compare with my Jobo 2509N, so that's a big plus for me as I mentioned before.

All in all, for inversion, it works very well for me.

I will still keep my Jobo 2509N, for if I want to do stand development to get the edge halo effect (and when I'm brave enough to risk the drag mark again), as the tank can hold more liquid.

 

[Calzone]

Hi Carl, I promised to let you know how the SP-445 turn out, I got the chance to develop some sheet as the weekend weather was just perfect, I tried 2 sheet and 4 sheet development, and I am very pleased with the result.

There are however some scratch/mark along the tab (around the small tab that hold the film along the perimeters), did not happen to every sheet, only some.

1. loading the film in the dark need a little dexterity, hold the film at a slight angle as to avoid rubbing the film in the middle with the plastic film holder, I've got a scratch down vertical on two of my sheet (in compare Jobo 2509N has nothing in the middle that would scratch your film)

2. pre-wash the sheet film a few more time with extra inversion agitation, as the film when seated in the holder back to back water need a bit more encouragement to flow through to get all the anti-halation out.

3. if you have a tent changing bag or a darkroom then it's perfect, otherwise it's a bit inconvenient as the tank is pretty tall.

The inversion feels very light due to small amount of liquid in the container as compare with my Jobo 2509N, so that's a big plus for me as I mentioned before.

All in all, for inversion, it works very well for me.

I will still keep my Jobo 2509N, for if I want to do stand development to get the edge halo effect (and when I'm brave enough to risk the drag mark again), as the tank can hold more liquid.

NF,

Thank you for your post.

I am greatful for all the responses, but still considering all the points and choices.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

For decades, I have used stainless steel for developing 35mm and 120mm color and black & white roll film.

I have never used JOBO; therefore, cannot comment on it.


35mm and 120 Developing by Narsuitus, on Flickr

N,

A lucky find. I was able to secure a supersized SS tank like yours on EBAY. Comes with eight SS reels and another 1 liter SS tank.

I also figure that my other SS tanks that are now extra can be used as a loaded reel film safe collectively to speed things up where I can batch load in advance for a speed boost.

In the end having 12 roll capacity by doubling up 120 rolls on a JOBO reel seems like the next level, but for now I get to use what I already have. Many thanks for everyone's help.

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Cal,

I am loading eight rolls onto four Jobo reels, to go into the Jobo Multitank 5.
That goes onto a Unicolor Uniroller for spiining.

This to me is pretty good production. Also in the Multitank 5 I can do eighteen 6x9cm sheets, or 4x5/9x12. This is great for me because I also shoot these European film sizes.

So Jobo is the best option for production processing 120/sheet sizes.

-Dan

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

I am loading eight rolls onto four Jobo reels, to go into the Jobo Multitank 5.
That goes onto a Unicolor Uniroller for spiining.

This to me is pretty good production. Also in the Multitank 5 I can do eighteen 6x9cm sheets, or 4x5/9x12. This is great for me because I also shoot these European film sizes.

So Jobo is the best option for production processing 120/sheet sizes.

-Dan

Dan,

Surely the JOBO is the most flexible and has the mucho enhanced capacity. No doubt that this is where I will be heading.

For little cost I got a 50% gain, and I basically use most of what I alredy have.

I am envious of being able to do 10 rolls of 120 at a time with a 5 series tank, Along with being able to process 4x5, 2x3 and other formats it seems like a no brainer to go JOBO.

Imagine processing 150 rolls of film (120 and 135) a month on average at my peak with only a 2 liter SS tank. More than crazy...

Going JOBO will require some capitol.

Cal

 

[Nokton48]

Jobo is not inexpensive but worth it and it's not that expensive..........

It won't do 2.25x3.25 in the sheet film reels though, only 6x9cm, 9x12cm, and 4x5.

I use a Nikor 2x3 cut film insert and a Nikor two reel tank for processing 2x3". It holds a lot of sheets.

The Jobo is European, guess they don't do much 2x3 over there. That's really one of the main reasons I bulked up on 6x9cm, cause it fits the Jobos and my Makinas and Makiflexes. Great for that. Six 6x9s or 9x12s or 4x5s per 2509 reel.

 

[Ronald M]

If your SS leak, you have mismatched reels & tanks. Try matching up your set, then marking them.. I have a dozen over 50 years now. None leak.

The loader pictured is junk. the ones where you slide in and push the outer wrap to center are fine. There are revised design.

Jobo expert drum for 4x5 is the way to go when using Jobo.

Jobo is obsolete and parts are a problem although I heard it is restarting.

Nikkor SS and hangars for 4x5. Buy a special order hangar rack from Arkay. One item to lift and dunk.

 

[Nokton48]

I have this:

Basket Line by Nokton48, on Flickr

24 rolls of 120 in a 3.5 gallon Kodak Rubber tank. I have everything, even the wash tank. When I build my dream darkroom this is goin' in. Jobo until then and way beyond.

 

[Nokton48]

Also Mine..........

Kodak Basket and Kodak 4x5 Multiple Hangers. Also goes into 3.5 gallon Kodak hard rubber tanks

56 4x5 sheets at a go. Or 18 8x10 sheets (have those too). Or any combination thereof.

No need to have a pass to a gym 🙂 You will get a workout LOL

DSC05784 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Calzone]

I have this:

Basket Line by Nokton48, on Flickr

24 rolls of 120 in a 3.5 gallon Kodak Rubber tank. I have everything, even the wash tank. When I build my dream darkroom this is goin' in. Jobo until then and way beyond.

Dan,

I bought a 3-120x6 rack that is different than yours. For $50.00 I got the rack and a 11 reels so I would need another seven reels to fill my rack to be able to dip and dunk 18 reels of 120 at a time. (Was sold with a dozen reels, but one reel had a bad clip and I through it out.)

My rack is made of sheet SS. Each sleeve is sized about the same size as a one quart wax container of of milk so these reels are narrower in diameter than my other reels, and they look to be Nikor reels except one that is made in Germany. Looks like mine is sized where I might only need about a gallon and a half to submerge a fully loaded rack of 18 reels.

Like you I'm planning for my dream darkroom. I still need tanks.

Cal