Which drum roller for film processing?

geo <no.TakeThisOut@no.com> wrote:
 > Thanks for everyone's input on processing 4x5 negs. I think the drum roller
 > makes the most sense for me. There are a few different brands - Beseler,
 > Unicolor, Soligor. Is any one preferable? Any one to avoid?


Best is one of the Jobos. The 2500 tanks aren't much more if any more
money then the other ones if bought used. They'll be newer. You can easily
get reels for them to use the same tanks for either 4x5,120 or 35mm. Or change
the lid and turn them into print tanks.

Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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"geo" <no DeleteThis @no.com> wrote

 > Thanks for everyone's input on processing 4x5 negs. I think the drum roller
 > makes the most sense for me. There are a few different brands - Beseler,
 > Unicolor, Soligor. Is any one preferable? Any one to avoid?

I have a Unicolor and have diddled with a Beseler. IMO there isn't a whole
lot of difference to them.

I think I paid $15 for the base, a whole lot less than a Jobo setup, but
the result is pretty basic.

I plug the base into a Gra-Lab timer. When I hear the grinding noise stop
I know it is time to change the chems - sort of a silent alarm.

I find I have to shim the base with a bit of cardboard so the drum doesn't
walk to the low side. I put a small tray under the drum's cap to catch
the drips.

The system works great: very consistent results and I don't have to sit
there and turn a can upside down every 30 seconds.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio nolindan DeleteThis @ix.netcom.com
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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"geo" <no RemoveThis @no.com> wrote in message
news:Z7KIb.24558$tY5.20963@nwrdny01.gnilink.net...
 > Thanks for everyone's input on processing 4x5 negs. I think the drum
roller
 > makes the most sense for me. There are a few different brands - Beseler,
 > Unicolor, Soligor. Is any one preferable? Any one to avoid?
 >
 > Natural Light Black and White Photography
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://mysite.verizon.net/geost/</font" target="_blank">http://mysite.verizon.net/geost/</font</a>>
 > -George-
 >
 >

I've got a Unicolor I got used on eBay with a bunch of other stuff for about
$25. It works fine. It reverses direction about every 1 1/2 turns or so.
I also use a system that doesn't reverse direction at all and have found
absolutely no difference in the quality of the negatives.

Get one that will turn the drum(s) you decide to use and that doesn't have
any exposed wires hanging out. Other than that they probably all work well.

Sherman
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dunnamphoto.com" target="_blank">http://www.dunnamphoto.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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