Developing 8x10

[ThePenguin]

I've read a bunch of threads on this subject, but once and for all, is there an easy way to develope 8x10 BW/Color in a Jobo CPE-2?

Or, whats the easiest way to develope 8x10 B&W film?


Thanks!

[frotog]

Most people will respond, "JOBO". But you'll definitely want to look into nitrogen burst development and dip and dunk with water jackets. Once you get agitation down with a burst system, nothing can compare in terms of flexibility of process and ease of use.

[Pawlowski6132]

What could easier and more siple than tray development? Really now.

[Fred L]

I'm now in the Jobo camp but prior to that it was Simma tubes and their Sinewave roller base. Can't remember if it was one or two sheets per drum but it was daylight and consistent and cheap. If I ever get around to it and can sort things out, I have a nitrogen regulator and hose I'm itching to set up and try. ymmv

[dentkimterry]

I develop one sheet at a time in an 8x10 Unicolor print drum. Use the Unicolor motor with it. Works great. Do a search, there is much info about this. I only do B&W. I also do two 5x7's in it.

[John Kasaian]

For panchro B&W I used a Unicolor with a print drum. For ortho, trays.

[jcoldslabs]

I recently started using Cibachrome Mark II 8x10 drums for my 8x10 B&W with no problems. I have both the reversing Unicolor motor base as well as an Ilford base that does not reverse. (I just pick up and reverse the drum manually once per minute.) Much cheaper than the JOBO options, which is why I went with it. Plus I only have a dry "dark closet" for loading unloading with no proper darkroom (yet) for tray processing.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Or, whats the easiest way to develope 8x10 B&W film?

Trays, one sheet at a time.

[jeroldharter]

I've never used tanks, nitrogen, etc., but it seems like that would be pretty expensive for 8x10 color, especially if the output is relatively low.

You cannot use a Jobo 3005 drum, the one for 8x10 film with capacity of 5 sheets, with a CPE processor. You could use it easily with a motor base for black and white. Color would be more difficult due to temperature control but you could do it with some care.

A good alternative for low volume 8x10 black and white work is BTZS tubes. You could process up to 2 sheets at a time.

[ic-racer]

I believe with your processor you can use the 2830 drum to do two sheets of 8x10 at a time. It is pretty easy. I suspect that the expense of the film, paper and chemicals will be limiting factors.