Raoul Endres
(K=2676) - Comment Date 8/24/2004
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All these seem to do is provide a constant temperature water bath for your chemicals. It even uses/includes a standard Paterson tank for the actual development.
Just get a Paterson tank and do this yourself?! It's not hard to get the chemicals to the right temperature - unless you want to do E6 or something.
Speaking of which -- off I go to try my first batch of Microdol-X with TMAX :)
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 8/24/2004
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Thanks for the reply Raoul. I think I should read up on traditional darkrooms too. This Nova thing seems compact and simple, but if I can achieve that (compact and simple I mean) with traditional equipment all the better. There's lots available used, as people switch to digital.
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Raoul Endres
(K=2676) - Comment Date 8/24/2004
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All you need is the Paterson tank, a few plastic bottles, a measuring cylinder and a thermometer.
The Daylight processor just saves you adjusting the temperature - which for black and white is easy, because it's not that critical, and is usually around room temperature.
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 8/24/2004
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Thanks again Raoul. It does sound like the Nova is not really special, just neat packaging. Tell me though does the "Daylight" processor mean you don't need a dark room, safelight etc., or is that true of processing B+W film the regular way too? Thanks for your help, Raoul. I really want to take the next step in controlling all aspects of the process from shooting to printing, and this seems like a logical move. I really love film and though I have nothing against digital capture, I can still see a difference between my converted digital shots and those done with film.
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 8/25/2004
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I always thought the Jobo Nova was for processing prints. That is was sort of a slot processor that you slid the sheets into one slot after the other until you went though the process. For film they have the CPE CPA and CPP series rotary units.
If all you care about is black and white film. Get yourself a Patterson tank as mentioned above and a changing bag if you dont have a place that is completely dark in which to load the film onto the reel. Once the film is in the tank and the funnel/light trap is installed you can do the rest of the process in daylight.
Phil
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 8/25/2004
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You are right Phillip, the Jobo Nova is a slot processor for prints. The FP is something different, and is advertised as a compact and inexpensive way to develop film consistently. From responses so far it seems I can do the same thing just as easily without having to purchase the kit. The big advantages of the FP seem to be the constant temperature and the fact that you store your chemicals IN the unit. Cost of this thing is listed as &239 which I think translates into about $600 Can. I am pretty sure the Patterson tank you mention will go for less. Thanks for your help Phillip.
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 8/25/2004
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Richard, thanks for the info, will have to check out the Jobo site more often. Just a few things. Personally I wouldn't get it. If you are doing low volume film developing, you probably don't want to store the chems in the processor. When I do black and white film, I do not save the developer. It is used one time and then dumped. Fresh developer is used each time so that I know the strength and can get consistent results. If you keep developer in the processor, you have to many variables, like how much air got to it, how old is it, how many rolls of film have already gone through it etc... all of this will effect the developing time and quality of the negative. If you are concerned about keeping constant development temperature with a Patterson or equivalent tank, you can float them in a tub filled with water at the proper temperature. It takes about 6 to 10 minutes in the developing step which is far less time then it would take for the water to change temperature.
If you are set on a more automated approach, instead of the Nova, take a look at the CPE or other rotary processors, they will give you the best results. They have a constant temperature water bath, and constant agitation which make for very consistent results. You can pick them up on ebay complete with tanks and reels for a few hundred. I have been using a CPP2 for about 15 years now and have never had a bad roll. The results are the same each time.
For the price of a new Nova as you mention above, you can get a fully decked out rotary processor on ebay and really get some good results.
Either way, I am glad to see you are interested in developing your own film and shooting black and white. We seem to be part of a dieing breed. With the possible demise of Ilford and Agfa we need to bring as many people into the fold as possible to keep this area of photography alive. Remember, digital is just a passing fad, black and white film photography is the real deal! ;=)
Phil
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 8/25/2004
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Thanks again Phil. I checked out the cost of a simple kit (tank, grad cyllinders, etc.)and it was well under $100 Can. NEW!!!!!! If as you say there is no advantage to storing the chemicals and the temp issue is easy to solve, this seems like a MUCH better way to go.
However I will take a look into the rotary processors you mentioned. I am looking for ease of use, and consistency of results. I think the 15 years of results that you have achieved might well be worth the extra cash.
Finally, I don't know if digital is going away any time soon, (if ever) but I do know I prefer the look of film compared to digital capture. Even with digital output. I try to keep things simple, but even the improved BW400CN (C-41) film from Kodak is no match for Tri-X when it has been properly developed. Thanks again for your help.
........................ Rick.
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