What would a Jobo processor do for me?

[koh303]

Michael:
I am sure you are getting fine results with your method, however the key as i said is the ability to match a pre determined benchmark for various measurements (1) and to be able to get the same results over and over and over (2).

A jobo machine, along with the correct drum will give you results that are within range of the above mentioned benchmarks: Density, Eavennes, cleanliness and a few other things. You will be able to repeat those results every time you use the machine with the same film\chemicals to produce those "perfect" or more accurately within range results.

The bottom line is what you consider to be "good" and the fact you see it as consistent from run to run as the same quality of "good" must be compared to established standards of quality. For most of us, even with a trained eye there may only be a marginal visual difference in smaller formats which increases as the size of the film increases. Which is where the benchmark is important, and where a Jobo delivers.

There is a long and boring technical explanation as to why this is so, but the short answer is - after you start using a Jobo (manual or automatic) you will not go back to hand processing ever again. The ease of use and time saving is only second to the results, that will most likely blow you away. Another wonderful thing Jobo machines allow is higher\lower capacity with minimal loss or waste of chemistry.

When you go out with your side pack loaded with 20 4X5 holders and you want to see what you have done shortly after you get home, a Jobo drum that hols up to 12 sheets of 4X5 in a single run will not only be a cool thing - but will be a huge time and effort saver. same goes for a 10X 35mm tank or 8X120 and so on.

Automatic machines are those models with the designation - ATL (the A standing for Auto). These tend to be slightly more expensive and or larger to the point that a home user might not consider them an option.
The smaller ATL machines (500/800/1000/1500) are some of the greatest mechanical wonders of the 20th century, but those tend to be expensive.

[Kodachrome25]

I agree with everything said here, my CPP2 gives me the most consistent and cleanest film I have ever seen. I will still soup a 1-2 roll batch of 35mm and sometimes 120 by hand, but other than that, I run it in the Jobo. Where I am totally blown away is 4x5, there is simply no way I would risk expensive sheet film with any other method, the Jobo simply leaves the rest in the dust.

When you get to this level of consistency, every single time, every roll or sheet, it is a huge load off of your mind, therefore allowing you to shoot with more confidence knowing that your processing is sound.

I find being able to rely on my Jobo allows more energy to be spent on the more creative part of it all in both the shooting and printing.

[Greg Blank]

The ability to walk away is nice and ATL machines lend that, even CPP2 machines to a degree. There are only a few folks like me that service ATLs, I learned how to service Jobos mostly because I wanted to make sure I could fix my own CPP2. I have known lots of electronic technicians over the years that did not know how a machine was supposed to work because they had no practical experience yet swore the machine was correctly fixed- when in use it was not. When I learned JOBO I applied what I knew about my own machine, film processing and printing, in addition to the volumes of documentation related to how to preform those repairs. ATLs are amazingly complex, youas a novice I suggest stearing clear of them. A Cpp2 is a great tool, but as you say a simple tempering box could also do alot of what you need, certainly all these process are easily performed using less expensive means.

>Greg. I use the jobo press kit for my chemicals. I keep the developer and blix in a large pot of water on an electric burner, and I'm able to keep the temperature constant. I develop roll film in stainless daylight tanks, and I keep them in a warm bath in between inversions. Sheet film is processed in a unicolor roller according to the press kit directions.

My results have been consistently good, but I'm wondering if they might be better with the jobo, and of course I'm open to simplifying the process.