Gast
Hello everyone!
I’m currently setting up a small colour and black-and-white darkroom, because I’ve had absolutely no desire whatsoever to fork out hundreds of euros for some overpriced lab, only to end up with rubbish quality and unsatisfactory prints and negatives. So much for the idea that doing it yourself is too expensive. I’m increasingly realising that doing it yourself is the only way to go. A painter doesn’t sketch his picture in black and white and then have someone else colour it in. As it seems to be quite cheap at the moment to pick up second-hand processors and the like on eBay, for example, I wanted to ask what makes sense and hear about your experiences. I’m particularly interested in the NOVA tanks and Thermaphot stuff. The whole JOBO CPA 2 and CPP range, and whatever else they’re called, is also available very cheaply. I’m going to start with trays and room-temperature RA4 chemistry for now. But I don’t think that’s going to be much of a hit in the long run. I’d like to be able to print up to about 40x50cm, so the NOVA is a good option as it’s reasonably affordable. Please share your experiences, pros and cons, etc. Many thanks
fotohuisrovo
The Nova up to 40 x 50 cm is a bit too big to handle easily. It works well up to 30 x 40 cm.
In terms of price, Thermaphot offers good value for money with the ACP 302 (30 cm wide, 2 baths).
But I’ve also come across a second-hand ACP 404 (dry-to-dry, 40 cm wide) on the market for €1,500.00, two years old.
The CPA and CPP drum processors work quite well for film development, or of course the TAS film processor (a godsend). Developing paper in the drum is quite a faff. Rinsing and drying the drum is never really much fun. It also depends on how much large-format work is done.
The two-bath ACP can be used with either RA-4 at room temperature (27°C) for 2×30 seconds or Rapidoprocede (33–35°C) for 2×45 seconds. Many B&W developers also work at 30 degrees (e.g. AM6006) for 2×30 seconds or with the Ilford-compatible 2150 system.
The ACP is certainly the best solution for RA-4 processing.
Baryta cannot be processed in machines, only in trays or Nova.
For both processes (RA-4 B&W and ACP/Nova/trays), the optimal solution is a FEM-Kunze 4012 C analyser, together with perhaps a Split Grade module (Heiland).
We are, of course, always available to answer any further questions.
Robert
mau
Small processors are relatively inexpensive; bear in mind that the 252 Termaphot requires around 2.5 litres of chemicals per tank. The larger ones use several times that amount. As the chemicals aren’t cheap either, you should carefully consider whether your own throughput justifies using a 30 or 40 cm machine.
Drum processors are the most versatile. I myself have a Saurier from Meteor dating from the 1970s, which can handle up to 50x60cm. In that machine, I develop everything from E6 and black-and-white negatives up to 13x18cm, and paper up to 50x60cm (baryta).
Baryta, by the way, is excellent for ‘drum processing’.
My advice, if you have the space and the money, is to get a smaller processor and a Joboma machine that handles up to 50x60cm.
fotohuisrovo
I use an ACP 252 (25 cm wide, 2 baths). It only requires 2 litres of chemical solution, so it’s very economical.
It also handles 25 x 60 cm panoramic prints quite well (RA-4 25.4 cm x 75 m).
20 x 25 cm and 24 x 30 cm are formats I use a lot.
Robert
Gast
Hello,
Just one more suggestion:
I develop RA4 up to 40x50 cm in the Ilford Cap40 – which is actually designed for Ilfochrome.
Filled with 2 litres each, it’s quite economical for the size, and with Dilucolor and the thermostat set to 20°C, the 2-minute processing time works a treat.
As I use it, I gradually increase the temperature a little, but Dilucolor is really robust in that respect.
I then use the third bath as my first washing, so that I can quickly process and assess samples.
I got mine on eBay for just over €100
