Processing colour sheet film - how hard is it really?

raathistle

raathistle

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,448
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
I think I may have found (finally :bang:) some 5x7 holders and have wanted for a while to do some colour print large format work.

My problem is I haven't dev'd colour print before, so I'm wondering how hard it really is? My real problem (I think) is I don't have access to a waterbath or similar.

I have a paterson orbital so I have somewhere light tight to do the processing, but I'm looking for some guidance on the process itself really :help:
 
As far as processing the film is concerned - i've used the Tetenal C-41 kit, and to be honest, it's no real difference to processing BnW - apart from the processing temperature is 38c rather than 20c. You pre-soak the film for 5 minutes to get it and the procesing tank up to temperature, then the dev is something like 3.25 minutes, Blix (bleach and fix) 4 minutes, rinse, then a Stabiliser (bit like a final rinse with photoflow, but essential to fix and harden the emulsions) for a minute or so. All told, it's faster to process than the BnW, once you've got the temperatures up and stable. I still manage to do this in the utility room sink, using hot tap-water, so it's not exactly onerous...

edit: I was unable to get hold of the manual online for any of the processing kits, so bit the bullet and just bought one - however, at least now i've got a copy of the manual (which I can scan and send you a link to if you'd like a read! - not that it's massively more informative than my original paragraph, but it could just help!)
 
"As easy as B&W"...?

Theoretically...

Rather you than me...
 
Always avoided processing colour sheet film, meself. Unless you're turning them over by the dozen I'm not sure the costs add up.
 
I should qualify my first post - I was merely referring to the technical process of producing a colour neg. Now, to produce a perfectly colour accurate negative, time after time after time, that's a different matter. I bought the 2 tetenal kits, C41 and E6 for the express purpose of doing some cross-processed films for last months competition. With that In mind, I also bought a "big box of expired films" from fleabay - 120 and 35mm, which I've had a play with developing straight and X-pro. It took around half a dozen rolls to get something like consistent - note consistent, not necessarily accurate - colour. This may well be partly due to expired films, but i'm sure that it's also due to inconsistencies in processing (a degree or two of heat drift say, or 10 seconds extra here and there)

For fun, it was definitely worth it. When the chem's expire, will I carry on? Probably not :shrug:
 
In that case, OK...but consistently, in bulk, by hand...?
I still have nightmares about it...
 
OTOH processing B&W sheet film is a joy. You can use a very dim (green? It's been a while) light and with practice develop them just so. My own nightmare is two days non-stop processing for a collector insuring a few million squids worth of rock memorabilia. With a raging hangover.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top