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
cfb_de
Hello "haidererphoto",
I actually particularly like people who at least give the impression of using their real name :-) and proper use of upper and lower case definitely makes the German language much easier to read.
Regarding your question:
The last time I processed RA4 film myself was a year and a half ago, and I learnt colour processing at some point about twenty years ago. After processing with RA4, I found the following:
- Manual filtering without an analyser is just as frustrating today as it was back then. But it works. It takes learning, and is therefore frustrating and expensive.
- You can develop colour photos at home. It works quite well, and is definitely better than a large-scale lab.
- Processing at room temperature only becomes comfortable at 24/25°C.
- Drums are still the method of choice.
- For high throughput (if you use up a set of chemicals in under a week), a continuous processor might be worth it. That would be around 15–25 40x50 prints per week. Can you manage that?
So, from me (I don’t have one of these and might be using a ‘Comot’):
- Buy a CPP/CPA. But please get the newer models with a powerful motor.
- Consequently, go for drum processing; even 40x50 is fun that way (drip-off times ruin any chemical and make the process unreliable).
- A lift and cans with a gear ring make the whole thing really convenient.
- I still send CN41 to the lab (as I do with most colour stuff; I have a very good minilab to hand), so no recommendations regarding CN41.
Another argument ‘in favour of the can/batch’: I can see almost nothing in the dim glow of an RA4-compatible Dukalamp. And almost all modern papers are optimised for speed during digital image exposure, meaning they require even less light. So I enjoy the drum while the print is developing inside... I’ve got the light on and I’m having a smoke.
Best regards,
Franz
