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CPE-2 Plus Processor Starter Kit
Contents:
- Visit the CPE-2 Online Gallery
- Product Summary
- Key Features
- Technical Specifications/Capacities
- Processing Costs
- View the online instruction manual
- What's a less expensive alternative? What's the next step up?
- Where to Buy?
Product Summary:
The CPE-2 Plus Starter kit #4069 is illustrated above (a list of the items included with the CPE-2 Plus Starter Kit can be found in the Specifications below). 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).
The CPE-2 Plus Processor is also available as a stand-alone processor under item number #4065. The #4065 CPE-2 Plus includes the processor, along with a #3380 600ml Bottle Kit and #3318 260ml Graduate Kit.
Key Features
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, or 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:
Jobo rotary processing gives me great control of my images. Every negative is exactly the desired density! - Mark C.
Click here to visit the CPE-2 Gallery.
- 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).
How does the CPE-2 Plus work?
There are two ways to operate the CPE-2 Plus. The first is without the optional Lift Accessory, and the second is with the Lift. The only differences between the two methods are how you attach the tank or drum to the processor, and how you fill and drain the processing tanks and drums that hold the film and paper.
Attaching the tanks and drums without using the Lift The CPE-2 Plus shown here is operated without the optional Lift Accessory. The tank shown loaded on the processor is attached with a magnetic coupling.
The magnetic coupling shown in this image comes standard with the processor, and tanks purchased for use with this configuration require magnets to be attached to the bases.
The magnets, #1504, are purchased separately from the tanks. The reason for this is if you decided to purchase the CPE-2 Plus with the Lift (as shown below) these magnets would not be needed.
The magnets are attached to the bottom of the tanks by pressing them onto four pins which will securely hold the magnets in place.
The tank is now ready to be loaded with film reels or prints. Once the film and prints are loaded in the tank and the tank lid is secured, the tanks are completely light-tight.
Attaching the tanks and drums using the Lift
The CPE-2 Plus shown here is operated with the optional Lift Accessory. The Lift makes the processor easier to use, but it's not required to use the processor.
With this configuration, the magnet shown above is removed and replaced with a gear. This gear is attached to the rotation motor, and turns exactly like the magnet drive.
The Lift incorporates a transfer-gear that connects to the cog gear on the tank (shown below).
The Cog Gears, #1505, are generally purchased separately (two gears are included with each Lift Accessory). One Cog Gear is required for every tank lid you'll want to use.
The Cog Gears snap into the mouth of the tank lids and become a permanent part of the lid. (They seem like they could be removed because they use a compression o-ring system -- but they are not removable).
Things that are the same with or without the Lift Accessory How you operate the processor is the same with or without the Lift. This images show the control head.
"A" is the rotation-motor switch. When this switch is turned on, the rotation motor will operate.
"B" is the temperature-control knob. You use this to set the temperature of the process you'll be using.
"C" is the power knob.
There are two important points illustrated in this image:
1) The first is this picture is of the #2840 Print Drum which holds prints up to 11x14". This is the maximum size print you can make with the CPE-2 Plus.
2) Secondly, you'll notice this customer is pressing down on a red ring. These rings are the locking rings that secure the tank lids and extension pieces to the other components.
This system has a couple advantages: The first is this tank can be disassembled to allow you to only use the smaller base tank (which saves chemicals) for test prints.
The other advantage is these are locking rings -- not screwed-on lids. This design ensures you'll never accidentally cross-thread a lid resulting in an expensive replacement.
These are the items you can use to develop film in your CPE-2 Plus. From the left, they are the #2509N 4x5" Sheet-film Reel, the #2508 Loader base with #2512 4x5" Guide, and the #2502 Reel (shown w/120 film being loaded).
The #2509N Sheet-Film Reel comes with two black panels to press against the edges of the sheets to keep them rigid. This is important to ensure the film edges don't touch each other.
The #2508 Loader Base and #2512 Guide allow you to load the 4x5" reels easily and quickly. They are not required, but many customers find them helpful. Sheet film kits that include the tanks, reels, loaders, and guides can be purchased separately:
#4341 Single-Reel Sheet Film Kit
#4342 Double-Reel Sheet Film KitThe #2502 Reel shown here can be used with the CPE-2 Plus, but it's important to make one note. This isn't the most economical tank series to use to develop roll film on the CPE-2 Plus.
The more economical series, both in terms of cost of the hardware and in terms of the amount of chemicals needed to develop the film, is the 1500 series tanks. They are less expensive, and are smaller in diameter so they require less solution.
There is no processing-quality difference between the 1500 and 2500 series tanks system, so the distinction lies with whether or not you'll use the processor to develop 4x5" sheet film. If so, go with the 2500 series tanks. If not, go with the 1500 series tanks.
Use the #4061 E-6 Conversion Kit to transform your CPE-2 Plus to a full six-step E-6 processor. The conversion kit comes with a replacement bottle rack and two 600ml bottles (to be used with the four bottles that come with the processor).
JoMate Conversion Kit
Use the JoMate Conversion Kit #200019 to transform your CPE-2 Plus rotary-style film and print processor to an 8x10" temperature controlled dip-n-dunk style print processor. You'll then be able to replenish your chemicals to save money. The JoMate comes with an installation rack, four 8x10" print slots, and a #200007 Print Clip. (The CPE-2 Plus shown grayed out is available separately).
Technical Specifications/Capacities:
Film Capacities Format 110 35mm 120 220 4x5" Qty 20 5 6 3 12 Print Capacities Size 4x5" 5x7" 8x10" 11x14" Qty 8* 4 2 1 *Making 4-up 4x5" prints on an 8x10" using the Varioformat Easel #6810 and trimming after processing.
Specifications Tempering bath capacity 2 gallons (7.6 liters) Base area 12x26 inches (30x66cm) Solution capacity Four 260ml (8oz) graduates and four 600ml (20oz) bottles (grads and bottles included), or six 600ml bottles with optional #4061 CPE-2 E-6 Conversion Kit Power consumption 300 Watts, 2.5 Amps (while tempering) Voltage 120 Volts (available in 240V - special order) Items included with #4069 CPE-2 Plus Starter Kit #4065 CPE-2 Processor (with included graduates and bottles), #1520 Film Tank, #2840 Print Drum, 2x #1504 Magnets, #3321 Color Thermometer, #3530 Film Wiper, #4122 Print Wiper, and #3312 Film Clip set.
Processing Costs:
These costs are calculated at the suggested list prices for Tetenal chemicals. Depending on what price you ultimately pay for chemicals, the costs per roll and sheet will vary. If you would like help determining what your actual costs will be, please e-mail sales@jobo-usa.com with what you currently pay for your chemical, and we'll reply with the cost-table.
Processing Costs for Film and Prints
Process
Size / Format "Cost Per"
CPE-2C-41 Color Negative Film
35mm/36exp $1.81 120 $1.48 220 $3.04 4x5" Reel System $0.74 4x5" Expert System Not Possible
5x7" 8x10" Custom E-6 Color Positive Film
Tetenal E-6 5-Liter 6-Bath Kit #109342 35mm/36exp $2.64 120 $2.20 220 $4.40 4x5" Reel System $1.10 4x5" Expert System Not Possible
5x7" 8x10" Custom RA-4 Prints from Color Negatives
Tetenal RA-4 5-Liter Kit #109318 4x5"* $0.11 8x10" $0.44 11x14" $0.53
16x20" Not Possible
20x24" *4x5" Print capacity assumes use of #6810 Varioformat Easel
What's a less expensive alternative? What's the next step up?
For a comparison of all rotary-style processors, please click here. The CPE-2 is our most economical model of this style processor. Or consider the TBE-2 if all you need is to temper your chemicals for processing.
The processor immediately above the CPE-2 Plus in terms of capacities is the CPA-2 Processor.
Send mail to info@omegasatter.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1997-2005 JOBO Fototechnic, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders. Copyright to all of the photographs displayed on this site is owned by each of the photographers. You may not sell, publish, license or otherwise distribute any photographs without the written permission of the photographer.
This page last updated on 06/04/04