I'm considering buying the Nova print pod mono 8X10 slot processor. Has anyone had experience with this set up? Specifically, what kind of developer and fixer storage longevity can you expect? I usually use LPD with Ilford Universal fix. Does this processor have sealing caps for each solution?

They look kinda pricey for what they appear to offer, but I think the cost might be worth the possibility of no chem mix or tray set up and cleaning time on an evening when I'd just want to work a print or three.

-- Gary Calverase (grcalveras@aol.com), February 23, 2001

Answers

I�@bought a print pod about 8-9 years ago. I ended up not using it much, because although chemical longevity was excellent (the top closes with floating lids that are tube shaped), the whole set up was a bit unstable, especially when grasping and removing the pods (which stand up like files in a sorting rack) from the rack. I used a large (16x20) tray as a base to catch any possible spills. But for $100, and quick use for a few prints at a time, it can not be improved on, except for stability.

The absurdly expensive Nova 8x10 quad does just that. Worth getting it used on Ebay...

For a review of slot processors in general, please look at

www.heylloyd.com

Happy to answer any questions you might have, as I have a Nova Quad 16x20 as well ;-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 26, 2001.

Thanks for the info Mani. I checked out heylloyd. Nice site with all the info I needed, plus. I'm just a hobbyist strictly in 35mm, so I opted for the print pod - nothing on ebay currently and this was a birthday gift suggestion to the wife, so I wanted something not too shocking. Got it Sunday and love it. Evenings are now darkroom time versus the previous 8-10 hour days on weekends to justify the set up and chem mix.

-- gary c (grcalveras@aol.com), February 27, 2001.

I have been using both the 8*10 & 11*14 Nova Monochrome processors for both fiber and RC papers and love them. I haven't had any problems with stability.

I only see two issues. You can't really see the print come up in the developer. But I usually leave the prints in the developer for the same lenght of time so this is really isn't much of an issue other than the magic of seeing the image come up.

There is also those two little tiny holes in the print from the gadget used to hold the print in the pods. But they don't bother me too much.

The chemicals last for quite a while (a week or more)depending on how much you run through them.

-- J Babinski (jbabinsk@frontiernet.net), March 02, 2001.

To clarify, it is only the Print Pod 8x10 monochrome processor I own that inspires a bit of nervousness about its stability. I also own a Quad, and that, like the Trimate, Monochrome and other more expensive Nova slot processors, is perfectly stable.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 06, 2001.

Agreed Mani about the stability of the Print Pod. It is stable in use but trying to remove one of the full "vertical trays" from the base is nigh onto impossible without a mess. When necessary, I've opted to just tip all three trays together with the base to empty equal amounts of each and just replenish all equally. With the taps on the other models, that wouldn't be a problem. In utility, the Print Pod is still worth the price. In materials, it's definitely not.

-- Gary Calverase (grcalveras@aol.com), March 06, 2001.