Hey all,
I know a lot of people have wondered "how can I keep my daylight processing drum at temperature while I'm processing my color film, I cannot afford a Jobo" OR, "I do not have the storage space for it".
Well, I've been thinking of how this can be tackled, simply. Consider this more of a "see what sticks/works" idea thread, so feel free to chime in.
Here in Southern California, we don't get super cold, for the most part. Nothing like Canada, Alaska, Russia or Iceland(hey Gudmundur, hope you are well my friend?!"
Anyhow, I have been asking myself "what items can be repurposed for photographic uses, especially for those of us on a budget". Well, here is my thoughts:
1. Electric space heater. Available worldwide, available in varying heat capacities, price ranges, sizes, etc.
Pro's: inexpensive(especially since this is being used in a close-quarters capacity), can be quite small in size, and easily replaced if the unit were to break.
Cons: not wise to use around splashing liquids, or liquids in general. Can draw a large(r) amount of electricity based on how much it is used. Most likely NOT water sealed, so it's user-beware in terms of shock hazards.
Place one of these behind your motorized roller base(or manual roller base) and adjust the distance away from the drum based on how warm it gets(might be best to use an internal oven thermometer with a probe to test temperature consistency of solution in a tank depending on distance from drum). Of course, if you save up your film and do larger batch runs, this can certainly decrease the setup time per developing session versus developing each time you come back from shooting.
2. Hair dryer
Most homes with women have at least one, and some are quite efficient electricity-wise nowadays.
Pro's: easily purchased worldwide, available in different ranges price-wise, and quite small in terms of storage space size.
Cons: same as electric space heater ^^^
Now, my brain is always alive with ideas, how to improve things, how to make things more efficient, etc. I've owned multiple Jobo units over the past 10yrs, and they're great. If you have the space to dedicate to such a device, they're superb. However, IME, repairs can be expensive, hard to get done, and frankly, plastic parts wear out quickly if used a lot.
From what I can see, using warm air to keep a print/film drum warm during the processing cycle is easier, less water is used/wasted, and for those of you in colder climates(especially in the winter), you can keep your darkroom/processing space nice and warm as well at the same time
Would love to hear your thoughts, let's start a DIY discussion perhaps!
cheers,
Dan
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