From: sch@gargoyle.unx.sas.com (Steve Holzworth)
Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Re: Amateur film processing (NOW tabletop procs).
Date: 7 Apr 92 21:00:42 GMT
Article-I.D.: unx.1992Apr7.210042.5948
    <1992Apr7.032054.22001@a.cs.okstate.edu>
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.
Originator: sch@gargoyle.unx.sas.com
X-Bytes: 5214

In article <1992Apr7.032054.22001@a.cs.okstate.edu>, ong@a.cs.okstate.edu (ONG ENG TENG) writes:
>From article <1992Apr6.215153.8807@unx.sas.com>, by sch@gargoyle.unx.sas.com (Steve Holzworth):
>> maintaining process calibration (#3). I DO, however, print my own work.
>> I also have a tabletop processor to process my prints. Face it, despite

stuff deleted

>
>I have seen those tabletop color processor, how good are they?  Do they
>need a lot of space?  What water source is needed?  Chemicals?  Why don't
>you just give a complete description of your experience (including cost).
>Thanks. 

O.K.,

My turn. I asked the same question a while back and donl @ Silicon Graphics
emailed me a nice description of his experiences with a Durst Printo. I
bought one mailorder from Calumet in November 91. (2 tank, EP2/RA4/...)
I imagine I could summarize his email as "very favorable".

My experiences:

The "typical" configuration is a two step system, suitable for EP2, RA4,
and most (all?) B/W processes. The Printo system is composed of modules
which connect via overlapping seams, much akin to Lego (R) blocks. The
EP2 system is composed of two tank modules, two "therm" modules, and an
"intro" module.
  (Rough descriptions follow)
  A tank module is a half-cylinder with supports, that contains a gear-
driven series of rollers and a worm-screw solution agitator. Actual drive
for the mechanism is supplied by either a "mot" (motor) module, or a "therm"
(motor and heater) module. The workmanship and design of the transport
mechanism is very good. Actually, the design of the whole system is very
good. This is one of the few pieces of darkroom gear I have that actually
seems worthy of its high price.
  A "mot" or "therm" module is a synchronus motor (synced to line freq) used
to drive the transport mechanism in the tank module. A therm module also
includes a heater/thermostat to maintain process temperature. The hysterisis
on the thermostat is low, so it cycles often. This leads to better temp.
stability. The unit is rated to come up to temp within thirty minutes.
My experience is that it is much quicker. The motor runs at one set speed.
Process times are changed by moving two gears in the tank drivetrain.
The agitation can be set for 30 or 60 rpm. The process time (per tank)
can be set for 45sec, 1min, 2min, 3.5min(?). All tanks must be running at
the same speed. Temperature is set on a per-tank basis. The system can be
configured with addtional tanks for print wash (this is what a "mot"
module is for). A print dryer may also be added to yield a dry-to-dry
process. We poor mortals, still wash and dry our prints by hand :-).
  An "intro" module is used to introduce paper into the first tank. It is
basically an empty (dry) drum with a feed roller pair which moves the
paper into the first process tank. A cover hinges down over the paper
once you start the feed. The whole unit is light tight. Once the intro
cover is closed, you can turn on room lights.

Minor bitches:

The drive gears are all plastic (nylon?). The final roller pair in each
tank is composed of soft, sticky rubber. After the tank has sat a few days
(hours?) without use, the rollers stick together. The manual DOES warn
you about this, and suggests you "break out" the rollers when you next
prepare to use the unit. Of course, I didn't think it would be THAT
important (sigh). The second time I used my unit, I broke two drive gears.
(The rollers stick REAL GOOD!). Theoretically, this isn't covered by the
warranty, but they sent me new gears anyway. Cost of repair WOULD have
been about $7.00, so it's still not bad. (They also suggest you cycle
a sheet of plastic wrap between the gears to help prevent sticking.)

I have had ONE misfeed, which also resulted in a gear break. The paper
fed back on itself at about the second roller pair. This all takes place
in a light-tight box, so the first you know about it is when the gears
make this awful ratcheting sound :-). This isn't covered under warranty
either, so I had to pay for this one ($6.25).

The manual I got had a sticker affixed warning that the RA4 process
requires the transport speed be set to THREE (which gives one minute
tank times). Actual RA4 (as quoted by Kodak, Tetenal, and even the
Printo manual inside) runs in 45sec step times. I ignored the sticker
and ran at 45sec, with good results. Any comments donl?

Impressions:
Overall, I'm quite pleased with my Printo. Having spent many years slaving
over a Jobo, cleaning drums, et al, this is a major improvement. Until
last night, I used EP2 for color work (I had a large supply of paper
to burn off :-)). I just switched to RA4, and REALLY enjoy the 90 second
throughput. The chemicals are also less hazardous, are easier to mix,
run at lower process temperatures, have a longer shelf life than EP2,
and have papers in different contrast grades. The chemistry
DOES smell like antifreeze though. I imagine it has a high glycol content.

I have had good luck with Calumet over the years; they are worth a slightly
higher price. They will be glad to send you literature on Durst Printos.
Call 1 800 CALUMET. I think the going price for a EP2/RA4 Printo is $1700.

Steve Holzworth
sch@unx.sas.com
Newsgroups: rec.photo