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clnfrd · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 12:05 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Les. When I said my Yankee tank is all black, I was referring to the exterior. The film-holding insert (basket) of mine is black with the clear top. When I make statements about this stuff I need to start LOOKING at it rather than trusting my memory. Fred.

[ This Message was edited by: clnfrd on 2003-05-22 05:33 ]

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I figured as much as a Yankee tank with a clear exterior top would be much good to anybody!

Although I have seen (and regret now that I didn't buy it)...... a bulk load tank that was clear. The store at RIT got them in, they were still in the box, obviously never used and were trying to sell them for $5 a piece.

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

Maybe they were just teaching aids, Les! :roll:

[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2003-05-22 07:26 ]

Jim23 · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 5:14 pm Post subject:

I indicated in an earlier reply that I did not have much luck with uniformity with the Yankee tank! Thanks to a private message discussion with "clnfrd" I discovered that my tank did not resemble his - it turns out that my tank is an FR not a Yankee. It does not allow for pre-filling the tank since the film slots are formed into the sides of the tank. I'm going to search at the next photo swap for a Yankee tank where the tank can be filled ahead of time and the sheets instantly immersed by lowering the insert into the solution.

sobahguy · Joined: 09 Oct 2001 Posts: 173 Location: Massachusetts

I can identify with Jim23. I've been using the FR tank with inconsistent results as well, thinking that it was Yankee. I'm considering now getting the Yankee tank that 45PSS was good enough to provide a link to earlier, for the price its bound to provide a better result than the FR and still allow for daylight processing. Thanks for the link Charles!!!

[ This Message was edited by: sobahguy on 2003-05-22 11:25 ]

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

I'm going to suggest keeping your eyes open for the following.

1) Some sort of motorized base. It should reverse direction. Beseler and Unicolor made them. They aren't very expensive.

2) A jobo 2500 series tank. At least the 5 reel tank. Bigger won't hurt anything but you'll need more chemicals. Get the cheaper tanks without the cog lid.

3) Reels. You need the 2509n reels for sheet film. Supposedly those reels handle everything from 6x9 to 4x5.

New the tanks aren't cheap but used they can go for a lot less. Unlike the Combi-tank that seems to sell for almost the full price. Not sure I understand that since most of the people I talked to sold thier Combi tanks to buy a jobo.

For B&W this setup will be almost automatic.

Also if you use 35mm or 120 then you can get those reels and use the same tanks and motor.

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

Ooops. I just checked the Jobo site. The 2509 reel doesn't handle 2.25 x 3.25. It handles 6x9 but they claim you have to use the special 2.25 x 3.25 reel.

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

Look for one of these, Nick.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2935680352&category=29993

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

Honestly I've become spoiled with the Jobo tank. In the same tank I can put 4x5,120 and 35mm. With the smaller tank I have I can do a normal amount of film or in the big tank I could run a big batch. It almost runs itself. The motorbase is cheap. The tanks&reels can be cheap if you get them used. My setup lacks the temp control of a real Jobo unit but I'm 100% B&W so it's something I can easily live without. If the new tanks&reels were cheaper then it would be a perfect system.

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

I also have the JOBO tank with base loader and love it. I always get consistant results when developing 4 X 5. I just ordered 2X3 film to try my Miniature Speed Graphic (it has only be 19 years since I bought it!). I assumed the reel set to 6X9 would work! The length of the film doesn't matter since the reel would hold 5" but the width when collapsed may be too wide? I wonder if guides are deep enough on both sides to accomidate the slack?

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

I just spoke with JOBO in Michigan. They claim that 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 sheet film will not stay in the standard reel, set at 6 X 9. Therefore, a special reel (No. 2518) was manufactured by JOBO but now discontinued. It is still available at Cambridge Camera Exchange for $26 plus $9.75 shipping (ouch!). B& H didn't list it (nor did Adorama). I ordered one because I enjoy using the JOBO tank. JOBO also stated that 6 X 9 film loading guide will not work with the 2518 reel...it will have to loaded by hand but this is easier with the 2518 reel as it doesn't twist for adjusting size (in other words, the reel ends are in fixed position and aligned against the opposite side).

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I'm curious about how this reel looks. When looking at one side, is it a continuous spiral like a roll film reel or several short spirals like a Nikor 4x5 sheet film tank?

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

Assuming it's similar to the 4x5 reels you've got three slots in two sets. I guess you could saying each of the six slots is a section of a circle.

jpmose · Joined: 29 May 2001 Posts: 164 Location: Atlanta, GA

Actually, it is the same reel (according to JOBO). JOBO files the ends of the existing reel, modifies whatever else is required then glues the two ends together. Therefore the slots are aligned side-to-side and much easier to load by hand (since the 6X9 film loading guide won't work on this reel). JOBO said they had a lot of rejects on the production line and with the low volume required, decided to cease manufacturing it. I just want to finally use my Mini Speed. It has a Graphic back so I'm stuck with sheet film (unless I modify it which I don't want to do).

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2120 Location: New Jersey