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Nova Darkroom products in the US


logan2z

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I've been in the market for a print washer for a while and was interested in the Nova Washmaster Eco.  I was also interested in the Monochrome print processor as that looks like a great alternative to trays and I am a bit space constrained.  Living in the US I was afraid that the shipping costs would be prohibitively expensive.  Well, I just got a quote from Nova and the shipping estimate for those two items is 240 GBP!  That's $340 given today's exchange rate - which is more than the cost of the print processor and the same cost as the washer.  And that doesn't include any duties/taxes I might get dinged with on import.  Now I know why nobody in the US seems to use these products, despite their good reputation.  Oh well, I guess I'll be using trays and buying a Versa Labs washer...

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Did B&H have any options?

 

Also, you might see if these folks (if they’re still around) will charge less...

https://www.theimagingwarehouse.com/Terms#Delivery

 

Jeff

 

BH carries the Paterson print washers but they don't seem to get very positive reviews.  They also list a 16x20 Arkay washer but I don't need/want one that size and it's pretty expensive.  

 

The Imaging Warehouse is the same company as Nova.  

 

After spending more time researching print washers than is probably warranted, I think I'm going to buy the Versa Labs.  I just became aware that the two company principals are people I knew about from the high-end audio world - Laura Dearborn and John Bicht.  Bicht designed the well-regarded Versa Dynamics air-bearing turntable and tonearm.  I figure if he can pull off a design as complex as that he can design a good bathtub for photographic prints ;)

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I don't use a print washer for my prints - I can see it to be useful when several prints need to be washed at the same time which I never do. I simply insert the fixed print for 2 minutes into Kodak Hypo Clearing solution and then rinse it in my sink under water flow out of the faucet (back and front sides). I rinse one print for approx. 5 minutes which is fully sufficient. 

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Nova's website indicates that the electrical requirements preclude using the products in the United States or Canada. Wrong voltage and hertz. ANd they are expensive!!!

The products I was interested in - the print washer and Monochrome print processor - don't require electricity. And yes, they ARE expensive.

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I don't use a print washer for my prints - I can see it to be useful when several prints need to be washed at the same time which I never do. I simply insert the fixed print for 2 minutes into Kodak Hypo Clearing solution and then rinse it in my sink under water flow out of the faucet (back and front sides). I rinse one print for approx. 5 minutes which is fully sufficient.

I waffled for a while on the need for a print washer but ultimately decided to go for one due to convenience. But I'm sure your method is just as effective.

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