jobo 3005 uneven development

[Jordan]

Alright so a few months back after a while of using a beseler motor base to spin my jobo 3005, I acquired a cpp2 processor with a CPE arm. Everything seemed to working really well, except for in some negs with smooth skies I get dark blotches in my prints....... this would mean uneven development to me. I make sure the unit is level, so it I assume it is not due to that. I have been using JOBO's recommended chemistry amounts though so as not to stress the motor in the processor..... their amounts seem really low. Anyhow, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Could it be the CPE2 arm maybe? Some people say it is the exact same arm as the others. Or is it too little chemistry? thanks in advance.

Jordan

[Clueless Winddancing]

Well my dear fellow we need more information, we're not psychic or Sherlock. You had no such probem before using the Jobo processor?
Does the processor stay in place or get set up for a run?
Your complete work flow would be a good starter.
Does the water supply the same year around?
Level processor?
Dry drum/tank?
Any innovative "short-cuts"?
Film orientation standarized?
Completelness of fixing?
Age/condition of film?
It would be well to eliminate all the obvious as a first step.

[Robert A. Zeichner]

I've been advised by two very experienced Jobo users to do at least a 6 minute pre-soak before development. I just do this as a matter of routine and have had no uneveness in anything I've processed. This is with T-max emulsions, so I don't know what would be advised for other films.

[Scott Kathe]

Could be due to developer depletion. You really need to find out the capacity of the developer you are using. Are you doing a presoak or not? How much developer, how many sheets and how long? It's curious that it seemed to work on the Beseler base but not now. I'm no expert but you really need to provide a bit more information so more experienced members could help you out.

[Jordan]

Thanks guys for such prompt responses. Sorry for not providing enough information. Here goes:
Processor is leveled
Tri-x
at least a five minute presoak
hc110 directly from the bottle: 1 ounce of syrup to 74 ounces of water
1100 ml of developer in the drum for 9 minutes
1 1/2 minute stop
5 minute fix
water wash
5 minute permawash
35 minute wash in gravity works film washer

[Clueless Winddancing]

Geeze, where's my violin when I need it? A match, too if you don't mind Watson.

[Oren Grad]

At what rotation setting are you running the drum? Is it spinning and reversing smoothly?

Is the film base clearing fully?

Is the film oriented with the emulsion side facing toward the center of each well rather than the wall?

[Ron Marshall]

Jobo recommends a maximum volume of 630ml for the 3005:

http://www.jobo.com/web/Expert-Drums.338.0.html

[Oren Grad]

...and a maximum of 1000 ml for the CPA-2/CPP-2:

>> The CPA-2 and CPP-2 processors should not be used with more than 1000 ml of solution. Excess volumes will limit the useful life of the rotation motor. <<

http://www.jobousadarkroom.com/instr...capacities.htm

[Jordan]

I run the processor at speed 4 in one direction to attain the same results as I was getting with my beseler motor base, as they were perfect. It runs plenty smooth. One thing I did change is I have my film away from the center now. I started to do this because the anti-halation layer wasn't fully clearing with the opening of the film facing center. Perhaps this where I am going wrong?