Jobo Printlab 3500 series

[percepts]

Anyone have experience with any of the 3500 series models. I know they will do RA-4 and Black and white but can you use P-30 ilfochrome chemicals in them and is the transport adjustable for required speed/temp for ilfochrome chemicals?

[Drew Wiley]

I'd be quite skeptical if these would work well for Ilfochrome, which has a highly
caustic bleach. RA4 is basically two-step, Ilfochrome is three distinct steps with
rinses inbetween, plus presoak. If the feed or agitation rate is high you will get
washed-out blues. There was a chemistry made for the higher temp of some processors, but it is difficult to control, if you can even still get it. An ordinary manual or semi-automatic drum works better for small-volume Ilfochrome. Then you can use the chemistry one-shot and neutralize it instantly by dumping the bleach
into a bucket containing a little baking soda. P3 chemistry works best because you
can mix just enough fresh for every single print if you wish, or enough for a few
prints. If you look at the cost of used professional roller-transport processors, the
models suitable for Ilfochrome usually cost about five times as much as those
intended for RA4 because all the components have to be resistant to sulfuric acid.
A hundred-dollar plastic drum works almost as well, provided you have a roller base
and reasonable temperature control (a Jobo tempering box works fine). Make sure
you have excellent ventilation!

[percepts]

Thanks, I thought the corrosive nature of ilfochrome chemicals might be a limiting factor.


I'd be quite skeptical if these would work well for Ilfochrome, which has a highly
caustic bleach. RA4 is basically two-step, Ilfochrome is three distinct steps with
rinses inbetween, plus presoak. If the feed or agitation rate is high you will get
washed-out blues. There was a chemistry made for the higher temp of some processors, but it is difficult to control, if you can even still get it. An ordinary manual or semi-automatic drum works better for small-volume Ilfochrome. Then you can use the chemistry one-shot and neutralize it instantly by dumping the bleach
into a bucket containing a little baking soda. P3 chemistry works best because you
can mix just enough fresh for every single print if you wish, or enough for a few
prints. If you look at the cost of used professional roller-transport processors, the
models suitable for Ilfochrome usually cost about five times as much as those
intended for RA4 because all the components have to be resistant to sulfuric acid.
A hundred-dollar plastic drum works almost as well, provided you have a roller base
and reasonable temperature control (a Jobo tempering box works fine). Make sure
you have excellent ventilation!