Tetenal Press kit (C-41)

[CorreCaminos]

Hi y'all,

I started developing my C-41 films a couple months ago and I like the results but I've been having a problem with stains that I'm hoping someone here can help me with.

No matter how carefully I wash the film, I get a fair amount of water stains and small specs of a white (solid) deposit on the film. The specs, hard and always on the non-emulsion side of the film, are easily removed but I'd rather not have them there in the first place.

I use distilled water for mixing the chemicals and for all washing (repeatedly fill tank with water, agitate and replenish water until clear) so I can rule out the water as the cause of the problem.

Has anyone seen this problem with the Tetenal c-41 kit before and if so how did you fix it?

 

[novum]

Hey, Miguel! I just started using the Jobo C-41 press kit and I love the results. The price is right, too. Are you using Photoflo in distilled water to finish? I do, and the results are just fine. We have hard, alkaline water here in Austin, what with the Edwards Aquifer and the limestone matrix.

So, to answer your question, no, no problems here. Good luck!

 

[titrisol]

Seems like your distilled water is not very good.
Do a quick test, put some on top of a glass/mirror and let it evaporate. Do the same with tap water (side by side if possible)

Check if the distilled water leaves a residue (should be a very very very thin haze at most) then use Edwal LFN in your final wash and you'll be fine.

Also try getting an old salad-spinner and use it to pre-dry your film in the spiral to minimize the droplets of water.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Make sure the chemistry is completely dissloved, too--the blix has to be mixed at 130 degrees fahrenheit, and the dev at 110.

Also, commenters on my tutorial vid in my sig below have told me the photo flo is a no-no. Apparently the stabilizer has a wetting agent in it, and is supposed to stay on--no rinse afterward.

 

[CorreCaminos]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I use the same distilled water for B&W and I have no problem with those.

I wondered if using PhotoFlo with the C-41 chemistry was problematic and it seems like it might be.

Undissolved chemicals would explain the white specs. I'll reheat the dev & blix to mixing temp and stir well.

 

[MichiganBill]

Oops-- I was having white specks, too, so I added Photo-flo to the stabilizer. Apparently that's not a good idea? (It did work in removing the specks.)

What about using Kodak Flexicolor Final Rinse and Replenisher? Would that fit the bill?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Oops-- I was having white specks, too, so I added Photo-flo to the stabilizer. Apparently that's not a good idea? (It did work in removing the specks.)

What about using Kodak Flexicolor Final Rinse and Replenisher? Would that fit the bill?

The stabilizer already has photo-flo-like stuff in it, I'm told. You're supposed to just wip the film down right out of the stabilizer.

 

[CorreCaminos]

Could anyone explain how the Flexicolor process work? I've looked at what Adorama sells and I'm a little confused about what I'd need to get.

 

[lkgroup]

I have used Tetenal C-41 Press kits a lot. I was able to do 16 rolls in each batch. I used regular tap water but if in doubt use distilled water.

I don't do much C-41 anymore so:

I have two 1 liter Tetenal C-41 kits left if anyone is interested, make me an offer.

Leo

 

[Stradibarrius]

I would also like a list of the chemicals needed...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

All you need is the kit, it has everything you need:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/109267-REG/Tetenal_T109306_C_41_Press_Kit_for.html

 

[timpppa]

Does anybody know where to get this press kit from europe?

 

[blazejs]

Try Tetenal Mirasol or Foma Fotonal.

 

[jan normandale]

you can get more info from this flickr group Do it Yourself Color

 

[stonerfforum]

white crystal

white crystal

I use the same kit. yes, the spec is always on the non-emulsion side. (Chemical reaction which needs stabilizer is on the other side.) So if we leave more water on the non-emulsion side, water evaporates, We got over-saturated solution of stabilizer on this side, crystallization starts. then we see the white crystal when it gets dry. Hope this helps!

Regards/Stone

 

[zgeeRF]

The stabilizer does not seem to have a wetting agent (detergent). I have added a bit of photoflo in the past, solved the problem and did not have any adverse effects. Anybody knows what's the harm in photoflo after stabilizer?