Automatic Film processing?

[eskorpid]

Hi all,
I was just wondering if enyone has ever tried, or have experience of fully automatic b&w neg. processors.
I found an ad on a local newspaper of a secondhand Jobo ATL-1000 selling for 350euros.
Looked attractive, but I need some second opinions as I am not familiar with such processing.

Thanks in advance

Nondas

[T_om]

I'm sure you might get different feedback on this, but in my opinion, automatic processors for B&W is unnecessary and amounts to overkill.

Color processing, yeah... I'd be into automatic color processing in a heartbeat if i wanted to do my own. But not B&W. It is just not necessary.

Tom

[zpuskas]

I've been using a Jobo CPE--it's not automatic but it's close--for over 15 years and it's the best investment I ever made. Takes the drudgery--and questions--did I agitate?--out of processing while still maintaining control.
Zoltan

[Per]

I agree with Tom, no need for such device. Can´t be much easier than in plain old fashioned small tank method. I admit to not have used anything else and are stubborn not to change that. Certainly not for that kind of money.

[Fred]

I don't know much about the particular model number but if your gong to do a 'lot' of procesng then this may a worthwhile investment. You should get consistency with it. If you only shoot a roll every other week it might not be such a good idea unless you save the film up for a batch job.

I shoot a few rolls a month and use different films, push/pull films etc and use a good old Paterson tank. Total flexibility but can take a bit of time.

In a nut shell, If it's cheap and you have room for it, it may well be a good investment, otherwise use a small tank.

[Roman]

You do know that you can only do rotary processing, which will be a little different from agitating by inversion; you will have to adjust your processing times, and what you'll gain in accuracy, you'll lose in edge sharpness.

Roman

[eskorpid]

Thanks for the really useful opinions folks. Sales people can really drive you crazy sometimes.
I think I'll stick to the traditional processing . . . for the moment at least.

Cheers

Nondas