Basic Jobo Expert Drum question.....

[Phil Hudson]

With the 3000 series drum on a Jobo CPP2 processor where should the roller go? Directly against the sides of the tank, or on one of the slightly raised ridges (joins?) that run around the tank?

Thanks in anticipation.

[eric black]

I have them rest against the sides of the tank- for a 3010 about 2/3 the way down the side of the tank (away from the inlet) and for the 3005 I use two sets of rollers (one on the lift and one extra set not connected to the lift). I check that the tank is level prior to use.

[Phil Hudson]

Thanks Eric!

[John Powers]

On the 3005 I use the black rollers facing out from the rail as recommended by Jobo for the Expert drums. This is on the smooth side about an inch from the ridge toward the lift. I also use a second set of rollers wedged in the plastic ridge of the tray.

In addition to leveling it is very important to get the lid on straight. Since there is no guide line it is very easy not to have the lid down tight all the way around. One careless run I did not do so. The drum seemed to buck up and down as it rotated. I was afraid to dump, adjust and refill, not knowing how to account for the development time. The prints enlarged to 16x20 showed a faint horse shoe effect in the sky that I could not see on the negative.

To avoid this I measured the lip of the lid, inscribed a light line that far down the side of the drum. I made sure the line was covered in the future.

John

[Sal Santamaura]

...In addition to leveling it is very important to get the lid on straight. Since there is no guide line it is very easy not to have the lid down tight all the way around...I measured the lip of the lid, inscribed a light line that far down the side of the drum. I made sure the line was covered in the future...Way too much trouble. :)

When loading in the dark, simply push the cap on just tight enough so it's secure, but no more. Turn the lights on, put your drum on the processor and start it rotating at the slowest possible speed. Watch for wobble. Stop the motor and press the cap tighter only where needed. Recheck for wobble. Repeat as necessary; it ususally takes no more than one or two iterations.

A secondary benefit of this approach is that the cap isn't pressed on harder than it needs to be, which makes removal easier when it's time to take out the processed film.