CPA-2 vs CPE-2

**Mike Lyons** · 4-Mar-2004, 03:47

Hi to all, I want to home process both E-6 and C-41 process films due to the logistics and rising costs of sending them away, Is there sufficient difference between the accuracy of temperature controls and the rotation speeds of the Jobo CPA-2 and CPE-2 to warrant the additional expense of the former? Is the "lift" mechanism a nicety or a necessity? I would envisage having to shell out for an Expert 3010 drum for 4x5 but will the other drums and spirals be O.K for roll film? Thanks in advance-Mike

**Larry Gebhardt** · 4-Mar-2004, 04:39

I have never used the CPE so I can't comment on the differences. I say get the lift as I think it is a necessity. I use the 2500 tanks for 4x5 and roll film and get perfect results with both b&w and E-6. I think the Expert drum sounds nice, but I just can't justify its' purchase. If you plan on doing 8x10 or 5x7 then the Expert Drums are almost required.

**Utz-Uwe Haus** · 4-Mar-2004, 04:45

Hi,

I seem to remember that the Expert Drums do not fit the CPE machine. At least that's what Jobo says on

http://www.jobo.com/joboint/products/3000tank.html

I don't own either (yet :-) but someone else here will probably know the details from personal experience.

later, Utz

**Bob._3483** · 4-Mar-2004, 05:33

I am coming from the other direction from Larry: I have the CPE-2 but have never used the CPA...

I would however agree - the lift is especially useful for colour work as it allows you faster and more accurate drain and fill times. If you can justify the extra cost, get a machine with a lift. A CPE-2 with the 28xx series drums works fine with both roll film reels and the 6-sheet 5x4 film reels (which although a little fiddly to load, work well).

Cheers,

**Joel Pinson** · 4-Mar-2004, 06:24

Mike, if you want to use an Expert Drum (ED) then you definitely a CPA or CPP processor. The CPE won't accept any ED. That being said, you can also process 4x5 in a CPE using a 25xx drum. As far as accuracy of temperature and rotation speed, CPA or CPE should be pretty much equivalent. Main differences: a CPA processor needs much more room, and also allows to process sheet films up to 8x10. Joel

**Joel Pinson** · 4-Mar-2004, 06:34

Forgot one thing: about the lift, it is again required for Expert Drums, and in general highly recommend for E6/C41 processing as it allows to dump and fill the chemicals in a more consistent manner. Joel

**Jonathan Lee** · 4-Mar-2004, 07:40

I use the CPA-2 and Expert drums. I have also used the spiral Jobo reels, which would be the ones you would use for sheet film in a CPE-2. The best thing about Expert drums is how fast they load. I always had trouble loading 4x5 film in the spiral ones. The only down side is that both the drums and the CPA-2 are outrageously expensive new.

**karl french** · 4-Mar-2004, 07:53

Skip the CPE or the CPA and go right to the CPP-2 with a lift. The ability to dial in the temp is very nice. Jobo processors seem the going pretty cheap on Ebay these days (less than I paid for mine a few years ago). Find one that is not too far away from where you live and pick it up after the auction.

Its a great tool.

good luck

karl

**Michael Kadillak** · 4-Mar-2004, 17:29

Karl hit the nail directly on the head. The digital temprature capabilities are a wonderful feature and yes they are cheap and plentiful. The expert drums are the only way to go IMHO. I process 4x5 through 12x20 sheet film in my CPP2 and the results are consistent.No reason to compromise in this area.

Cheers!

**Lam** · 4-Mar-2004, 18:05

If you happen to find a Jobo ATL series machine in working order good condition and cheap, snap it up to. Someone gave up his ATL1000 to me and it works very well, doing the whole process automatically.

There should be lots of these in the USA market used as more and more people dump film dev and go digital ?

Lam