R&R PHOTO

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Even with out the use of the CPE-2 I find the JOBO tanks the easiest to use for hand inversion.

The CPE-2 Plus is JOBO's most economical daylight-operated rotary processor. Its water bath and bi-directional rotation system gives you precise control over two of the three basic processing elements - temperature and agitation (the third, timing, is performed manually).

Why does the CPE-2 Plus work?

There are only three important variables when developing film and prints. The three are time, temperature, and agitation. As you may or may not know, when developing black and white film by hand without a processor, you change the development time based on changes in room temperature. With B/W film, there is a set formula (for a given chemical developer/dilution) that dictates any increase in temperature will result in a decrease in time, and vice-versa.

It's important to realize that this is not true with color film. There is no uniform correction with respect to time and temperature, and therefore it's difficult to develop color film consistently without a processor that controls the temperature accurately. The following is an explanation of how the CPE-2 Plus handles the three variables.

Time: The CPE-2 Plus Processor does not automatically time the filling and draining of the chemical and rinse steps. In order to achieve the correct timing, you will need a wristwatch, a somewhat manual darkroom timer. The way you fill and drain chemicals differs with whether or not you're using the processor with the optional Lift Accessory. (See section below regarding "How" the CPE-2 Plus works).

Temperature: The CPE-2 Plus Processor uses a water-bath to ensure even tempering of the chemicals, and the tank or drum that contains the exposed paper or film. This is important with B/W processing to help you be more consistent -- but it's not critical. For people who only develop B/W materials, the biggest advantages are:

Daylight Operation: You don't need to install the CPE-2 Plus in a darkroom. Once the lids are closed on the tanks, they are completely light-tight.
Small footprint: The CPE-2 Plus, measuring just 12x26", takes up a fraction of the space required by trays.
Easier to deal with chemicals: The CPE-2 Plus is a contained system whereby chemicals are only exposed to the air during very short delivery times which cuts down on smell and oxidation.
Versatility: One processor is used to develop 35mm, 120, and 220 roll film, as well as up to 12 sheets of 4x5" film, and prints up to 11x14".

Agitation: The CPE-2 Plus uses a bi-directional rotation system to agitate the solutions. It's very important that the rotation is bi-directional because it prevents the chemicals from forming flow patterns which could result in improper processing.

Another important point to mention about agitation is the perception that rotary processing increases agitation and therefore must result in a decrease in process time or over-developed negatives will result. This is true! The same can be said of an increase in temperature causing over-development. This increased agitation can yield shorter development times without a decrease in consistency or process quality. (It should also be noted that agitation controls contrast more than density).

Film Developing Tanks 1500 Series

1500 Series Tanks

Crack resistant

They're made of flexible plastic -- it makes them crack resistant (we can't say crack "proof" because if you threw one against the wall hard enough on a cold Winter morning it might crack).

You CAN take it with you

Many, many people have come to appreciate the modularity of JOBO tanks and drums. Using tanks from other manufacturers, if you want to add more developing capacity, you have to buy a whole new tank (the most expensive part). With JOBO tanks, if you have a two-roll tank #1520 and you want to increase the capacity, all you need to buy is an extension module #1530.

Also, if you ever want to move up to a rotary processor , you'll be able to use the same tanks you used for hand processing.

Safe with infrared films

All JOBO plastic tanks and drums are safe for use with infrared (IR) films. Most plastic tanks are not opaque to IR radiation, but JOBO tanks are. You can use them with complete confidence.

Save money!

You save money in three ways: The 1500 series tanks use very little solution to process film, the 1500 series allow you to process two rolls of 120 film per reel (not loaded back-to-back), and the third way you save money is if you move up to a rotary processor, you use about half the chemicals you use in hand-inversion processing

2500 Series Tanks

The 2500 series tanks are used for roll film and 4x5" sheet film. They are not designed for traditional inversion (hand) processing because they would use too much chemistry if they weren't used horizontally.

Roll and sheet-film processing with one system

Develop your color or black and white roll film and sheet film with one system. The formats supported are 35mm, 120, 127, 220, and 4x5".