Jobo 8x10 Expert drum vs Jobo 2850 for 8x10 negatives.

Kind of a continuation of this thread ( http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/5...sheetfilm.html ).

Here is the deal: A Jobo Expert Drum 3005 cost $500 USD new and will process FIVE sheets of 8x10 negative film.

The Jobo 2850 drum can be had for $65 or less on e-bay and will process FOUR sheets of 8x10 negative film.

So, is it worth $435 USD to be able to process that extra sheet of 8x10??

I have made up my mind, but I'm interested in other's comments on the subject.

(below is the 2850 for those not familiar with the entire Jobo lineup)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...o_2850_001.jpg

(below is the 3005 expert drum)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...acer/25426.jpg

Are you getting even development over the entire negative(s) with the 2850 drum?

Tom.

Apples to oranges. One is new, one is from ebay. How much are 3005s on ebay. I have several 3005s and I have never paid anywhere near $500 for one, albeit it has been several years since I bought one. Be patient and wait for a good deal on a used expert drum.

I agree. The expert drum produces very even results. I have one and like it. My guess is that the print drum would not, but the only way to know is to try it.

I have and have used both. I prefer the Expert drum, but the 2850 does produce even negatives. I only paid $200 for my 3005.

The point shouldn't be 5 versus 4 sheets. If all you want is the lowest cost drum then buy a handful of 2830 drums.

The reason for the Expert is some people have problems getting good negs with the print drums. Not to mention Jobo never aimed the print drums at negs.

With respect to the question of uneven development, the 3000 Expert series Very Large Format film drums (for larger than 8x10) differ from the 2800 drums only in the way the NON-EMULSION side is processed. ( see JQ9502 "3000 Series (Very) Large Format Sheet Film Drums"). In my 2800 drums, the few ridges behind the film don't actually touch the film, and have not been a problem, even with 'in-tank' washing.

Fair point on the price comparison. At B&H making a 2850 would involve getting the 2870 ($75) plus 2830 ($125) so $200 vs $500 for NEW.

In terms of USED prices, I have never seen a like-new 3005 on e-bay go for less than $300 in the last 6 months. There are NONE currently listed or available for review in the 'completed auctions' search. (2800 tanks are listed.) So its hard to make a comparison to something that does not exist. I'll gladly pay anyone out there $250 for a like-new 3005 in-box with swab. (Hypothetical, rhetorical, statement, not intended to promote a monetary transaction in this forum :) ).

Just to further the discussion, there is a discontinued Jobo 3063 Expert drum that holds SIX 8x10 films. Two of these recently sold on e-bay for less than $200 each. Anyone have experience with that one?

IIRC the 3063 is really a BIG print drum It doesn't use the same system the other experts use for holding film. Doesn't it also handle 20x24 paper?

I cannot do a direct test between the 2800 and 3005, but I CAN compare the 2820 (two 4x5) with the 3010 Expert drum (10 4x5) for processing 4x5.