Color film at home

[clcolucci58]

So I am looking at giving color film a try here at home. I have not played around with color film since the early 1980’s. Back then I was using a bathroom for a darkroom and had a Beseler Printmaker 35 and did the film in a tank using C-41 and printing with filters and a drum and motorized roller, can’t remember what chemicals I used for printing but I’m sure it was a Kodak product and only shot 35mm back then. Today I shot only 120 and I have a nice little “black&white” darkroom with a Beseler Printmaker 67. Searching on eBay I’m looking at color heads for the 67 and I see Jobo has the CPE2 processing system (is the lift really necessary?) So it seem to me that color for home darkroom have gotten easier, looking for some insight as for what film/paper chemicals to use and printing paper. Thanks in advance for opinions and advice.
Regards,
clcolucci58

 

[shawn]

No need for the CPE2. Get the tetenal C41 developing kits and a Sous -Vide immersion cooker and you are good to go. Fill a bucket with hot water, put the cooker in it set to the appropriate temp and put you C41 chemistry in the bucket. Wait an hour and everything will be at the proper temp. Start your processing and put the tank back in the water between inversions and it will stay at the proper temp. Really very easy and in some ways is simpler than B&W since any color negative film stock can be processed together. I use a modified fish tank heater for water temp control but the Sous-Vide cooker is easier and has a circulation pump built in.

What tanks do you have? When you get to BLIX if you have a Peterson tank you might want to skip inversion and just use the spinner. BLIX outgases and tends to leak from the tanks. The Jobo tanks have an expansion area built into their lids which helps cut down on the leakage a little. With SS tanks if you burb them before inversion it helps them not leak as much. (Assuming sealed plastic lids).

Shawn

 

[clcolucci58]

I have a SS tank and reel. Nice info on processing film, what about processing prints.

 

[Glenn2]

I have a SS tank and reel. Nice info on processing film, what about processing prints.

Printing colour is where it gets difficult. The safe lights are VERY dim and little better than total darkness. Numerous tests to get exposure and colour balance correct are needed although a colour analyzer will get you close. Don’t think analyzers are common these days and if they are won’t be inexpensive.

Back in the day I used a stainless steel curved tray called a colour canoe. These were floated on a circulated, temperature controlled water bath and worked well for home use.
I had two sizes of canoe, one for 8x10 , another for 16x20. These used minimal chemicals as only a couple ounces of fresh solution was used on a one shot basis.

I wouldn’t dream of wet printing colour today, and I wasn’t too bad at it either. Won my share of awards in juried shows competing against pros.
Today I scan the film and print with an Epson 3880 for both colour and B&W.

Great idea using a sous vide heater in the dark room. Years ago I had to build a temperature controlled heater and add a circulating pump.

Glenn

 

[clcolucci58]

Yes I do remember well how difficult it was to get the color balance, I never did get it.

 

[shawn]

I have a SS tank and reel. Nice info on processing film, what about processing prints.

Can't help you there, the only time I have printed color was long ago when I worked in a photo studio with a full lab and lots of equipment. I just scan the negatives and print digitally now.

Shawn

 

[titrisol]

Yes I do remember well how difficult it was to get the color balance, I never did get it.

Weeellllll.... in this day and age is a lot easier to scan the negatives and digitally process them
I know this is unpopular, but printing at home is a RPITA

 

[aizan]

Color printing RA-4 is comparatively easy since you only need to figure out color filtration once for a box/production run of paper with 2-3 ring-arounds, then adjust exposure. No contrast adjustment or dodging and burning, and the processing is straightforward.

 

[clcolucci58]

Color printing RA-4 is comparatively easy since you only need to figure out color filtration once for a box/production run of paper with 2-3 ring-arounds, then adjust exposure. No contrast adjustment or dodging and burning, and the processing is straightforward.

Do I have to use RA-4 filters? Freestyle has a 3x3 set but out is stock. I found on eBay a set of Beseler color printing filters, can I use these instead. Going to give the color film a try in the dark and in trays.

 

[aizan]

Yes, you need color printing filters. Any brand is good as long as they're the right size for your enlarger's filter drawer.

 

[clcolucci58]

Yes, you need color printing filters. Any brand is good as long as they're the right size for your enlarger's filter drawer.

Thanks, for the info