Jobo 3006 vs 3010

[Michael E. Gordon]

I hope I'm not asking a dumb question.

For roughly $5 more (brand new) one can have the 10-sheet 3010 vs. the 6-sheet 3006 (in 4x5, that is). According to the Jobo site, both drums require a minimum of 210ml of chemistry. For a meager $5 more, is there any reason why I shouldn't go for the 3010 over the 3006? Unless Jobo's site specs are wrong, I don't see how I'll use any more chemistry in one drum vs the other if I'm developing less than the drum's film capacity.

Am I missing something? Thank you for the replies.

[Larry Gebhardt]

The 3006 can handle both 4x5 and 5x7, where as the 3010 is 4x5 only. So get the 3010 if all you will do is 4x5.

[Bruce Watson]

http://www.jobo-usa.com/products/3000.htm

Even Jobo says the 3010 is "Easily the most popular" of their drums. That's possibly why the prices are so similar - economies of scale.

All I know is the only error I've had with a 3010 is when I managed to load two pieces of film into the same slot (I was a newbie to LF and to Jobo, what can I say?). Otherwise, nearly 2000 sheets without a scratch, without the first trace of uneven development. The damn things are magic.

Which ever way you go, do get the foot pump. The pump makes getting the tops off any of the expert drums much easier .

[jerry brodkey]

I always make sure the tops are lubricated with a little vaseline as well. Also the foot pump is a necessity. But I always wrap a towel loosely around the top and hold on to the ends to keep the top from hitting the ceiling when using the pump.....

[Jeffrey Scott]

Make sure you use more than the recommended minimum to ensure even development. I usually use about 800ml and I get amazingly even processing. I tested it by shooting an evenly lit grey seamless and when measured with a densitometer I got a reading within .02 all across the film.

[Steve Baggett]

You can also do 5x7 in a 3010, even though it is designed primarily for 4x5. Be sure to use at least 400ml of chemistry regardless of the number of 5x7's (up to 5) you process in the 3010. I've discovered this minimum amount "empirically" by testing and I assume it is due to the different "curl" that a sheet of 5x7 takes on when placed in the cylinders. I process my contrast/unsharp masks on 5x7 in a 3010 without any problems.