BTZS vs JOBO

[macandal]

Both are highly regarded. Which one should I get? Which model? Thanks.

[Vaughn]

What size negtives?

I use a Jobo Expert Drum (3005) for 5x7 and 8x10. Very nice to use and great results. Load drum in the dark, then the rest of the time in the light.

I have not used the BTZS tubes, but I think their advantage would be 1) You can make them yourself and save money and 2) individual development times for each negative compared to the all-at-the-same-time Jobo.

[macandal]

What size negtives?

Sorry, I forgot. 4x5, but eventually I want to also process 8x10.

[Andrew O'Neill]

I use both 4x5 and 8x10 BTZS tubes. Very easy to use and very little developer is required. I also like the fact that I can use different developer(s) dilutions, at different times, all at the same time. A lot cheaper compared to Jobo and nothing can break down. The only downside is that you have to stand there spinning the tubes...

[Jeff Bannow]

One downside to both is that they are both continuous agitation. You can't do any stand / semi-stand developing in either.

For what it's worth, I investigated both (had a jobo for a while, had consistency problems in my negatives, but didn't have the expert drums). I've decided to go with nitrogen burst instead.

However, I think you can probably make any system work well if you practice at it enough.

[Oren Grad]

I've used both BTZS tubes and Jobo. For my taste the Jobo is much simpler and more convenient - there are far fewer individual pieces that need to be juggled and actions that need to be completed for a processing run. Chasing all those bobbing tubes around and uncrewing and screwing all those caps gets old after a while. But either system can work well and produce high quality results. If budget is tight, the BTZS tubes are a very practical choice.

I should add, I don't try to customize development of individual sheets. That's easier to do with the BTZS tubes, though it complicates the workflow even more as you have to either keep straight a bunch of caps with different dilutions or you need to keep track of the different timings as you're chasing the bobbing tubes around your water tray trying to grab the right ones at the right times.

[macandal]

...For my taste the Jobo is much simpler and more convenient...

Which model do you recommend? How much should I expect to pay? Thanks.

[Oren Grad]

Which model do you recommend? How much should I expect to pay? Thanks.

If you want to use the Expert drums, you need a CPA-2 or CPP-2, preferably with late serial number (most robust version of the motor).

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...-serial-number

Or the forthcoming CPP-3 if you have lots of money to spend. I don't know what the going rate is for used CPA-2/CPP-2 these days - you probably need to follow eBay for a while.

[Jeff Bannow]

I don't know what the going rate is for used CPA-2/CPP-2 these days - you probably need to follow eBay for a while.

CPP2s are $1200-1500 for a good condition unit, possibly more if it's late model. That's without the drums.

[Oren Grad]

CPP2s are $1200-1500 for a good condition unit, possibly more if it's late model. That's without the drums.

Thanks, Jeff!