Well, my local lab charges $2.75 a sheet for 4x5 (which is pretty cheap) and the Kodak E6 kit cost about $70 (because of shipping). I've processed 34 sheets of film and four rolls of 120 with the kit thus far (not to mention the fact that I regularly push and pull process which costs extra at a lab). Additionally, halfway through my batch of chemicals I realized that I could process twice the amount of film with the same amount of chemistry, so I could easily process 70 sheets or more with one kit. It is certainly very cheap.

Nothing beats shooting all day, and having your film processed before dinner. Not to mention the ability to have complete control over density and color (and free push and pull processing).

However, it is different with roll film, and I imagine it would not be as cost effective for people shooting roll films. For large format I wouldn't have it any other way.

Buying a Jobo CPE 2-Plus with a 2840 tank tonight from a local guy. Very happy.

You won't be disappointed.

whats a jobo?

all my darkroom experiance is from when i was a kid all long forgoten still has all the gear though sitting colecting dust

Good times! How much are you paying for the Jobo, if you dont mind me asking? I'd like to pick one up; there's nowhere to get E-6 processed anywhere close to here.

Posted by 1ajs whats a jobo?

Jobo's a company who make film processors (among other things). The CPE series is intended for relatively low volume work. They also made some others including the ATL series which was more of a minilab-sized processor.

I developed my first 4x5 E6 today.



Some slight discolouration in the centre that I'm not sure about. Otherwise, it looks pretty good.

Any tips for getting E6 to dry fairly flat? With B&W it dries flat no problem. E-6 I get this:



(That's Fujichrome 64T)

Posted by yokes Any tips for getting E6 to dry fairly flat? With B&W it dries flat no problem. E-6 I get this:

Did you squeegee? That's the only thing I can think of.

I didn't squeegee.

Posted by yokes I didn't squeegee.

How did you dry them?
The 4x5 slides I processed dried with a little curve, but after I put them in sleeves and stored them a while stacked together, they flattened out. The curve you have doesn't look to severe, but if you ever have something very curled, you can always try rewashing it, and then pressing between two plates of glass (coated with photo flo) and weigh it down for a while before drying again.

I let them air dry.

Those look like they werent completely dry. Thats what mine look like when they are very close to drying, but when I come back and they are dry they are nice and flat.

I have no idea what would cause that, but it doesnt look too bad.

I think you were correct. They seem to be drying flat.

Developed my first batch of C-41 at home last night. Certainly is a lot quicker than E-6. It is very similar to doing B&W, just at a higher temperature. I think, though, that I'll keep doing E-6 for now, just because I just LOVE when the slides emerge from the tank.

One of my favorite parts about running E6 is mixing the chemicals. Science, yo!

Nothing compares to pulling well-developed transparencies out of the tank

I think the chemicals include heroin, because I'm addicted to E-6

Posted by yokes I think the chemicals include heroin, because I'm addicted to E-6

One day we'll have to setup some time for me to give it a shot!