E-6 processing machine

does anyone know about how much an old used E-6 processing machine

should run for? (i dont know make or model, but its not too

incredibly old.)

1 out of 3 labs in austin that has an E-6 machine is going out of

business, and i'd like to buy it from them.

any ideas?

thanks

Is it a roller transport or dip & dunk?

Whatever your decision, also take into consideration the cost of chemistry, and ammount of use (how much film you will put through it after you mix the chemicals) it will get. You might want to consider a Jobo style processor if your use will not be a large ammount at any one time.

Prices vary and without knowing the model, manufacturer, age, or what type of processor it's impossible to say. I've seen stuff listed on ebay for as little as 100 bucks for a roller transport e6 processor from kreonite. It never sold. It's usually the bigger equipment that goes for cheap, except when it comes to dip and dunk stuff which is still cheap compared to new. With the big heavy items sometimes people are just happy to have someone carry them away.

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It seems like some labs are switching to smaller machines when their e6 volume becomes so low it's no longer cost effective to maintain the chemistry in a big dip and dunk or roller transport processor. The case would probably be the same for you. Depending on the machine, if you're not processing at least 50-100 rolls a day you're going to be spending too much on chemistry. So don't get all excited if you see a really great deal and you're not going to be using it that much.

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A smaller machine like a phototherm or a jobo atl processor might be better and is what a lot of these labs are switching to when their in a market that doesn't process as much e6 as they used to.

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I have a <a href="http://www.newvisionphoto.com/search.jsp?searchTerms=phototherm">phototherm sidekick</a> which I got from Jay Overmoen at <a href="http://www.newvisionphoto.com/">http://www.newvisionphoto.com/</a>. His site is a little bare right now as we're just getting done putting it together but he has a lot of stuff and access to alot of equipment.

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The phototherms are great machines. He sends them to the factory (in NJ) to be refurbished. When I looked into getting a processor like this I was really impressed with the phototherm sidekick. The main thing I liked was that it didn't have a water bath and it didn't need to be hooked up to a water panel, or water at all. You can hook it up to water or you can run water from a jug. It's a completely self contained system that only needs power.

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I feel funny since I am working on the guys site but I really do have a lot of good things to say about this processor. It's so nice being able to process film while you wait. E6 takes less than an hour including drying (it has a dryer) with the 6 step process. Since there's no water bath you can go from doing a batch of E6 and then a batch of C41 right after the other or black and white. No need to wait for the water bath to reach a new temperature.

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My favorite aspect though is that it doesn't need a water panel like the jobo atl (except for this new small jobo atl)or wing-lynch machines. I don't know how much your looking to spend but this is a great machine that comes factory refurbished. (I don't know if he has any non refurbished ones).

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Depending on the unit you get there are options to set up the bleach (and/or fix depending on the unit) to be replenished but it's generally a one shot machine. It's good with the kodak one shot e6 kit.

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It can do e6, c41 and black and white but I like doing my black and white by hand in steel tanks. At least for now.

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I don't know if it's just me since I've never worked in a lab or had any automated film processor before but I think this is great. Something like a jobo cpe or cpp isn't for me. You have to sit there and time and drain and pour chemicals. Even with the lift accessory you still have to be there. With something like this or the atl you simple load the film on the reels, put the reels in the machine and can walk away. Come back, set up the dryer and in 15 more minutes, dry film.