Kodak BW400cn C-41 processing

[Markst]

Hey, I understand this could be a really silly thing to ask, but from my research there appears to be alot of unanswered questions, so I figured I'd ask here!

I have four Kodak bw400cn films which I have not yet exposed.
I also own Fotospeed FD10 developing chemicals which I use for my Ilford films.

The questions are:

What is required to develop my B&W C-41 film?

As it's black and white could I process it with my Fotospeed chemicals?


Thank's in advance!


Mark

 

[Pherdinand]

it is c-41 so for proper results it needs to be developed in c-41 process = like colour negatives.
Some people achieved results by developing c-41 film in traditional black and white chemicals but they look rather funky. Certainly not "normal".

 

[RF-Addict]

Just drop of the films wherever you'd get color films developed - that's one of the benefits of chromgenic film pLUS it has significantly less grain than regular B&W films.

 

[Markst]

thanks for the immediate replies!

I've been reading several other forums and a few people say that processing bw400cn with FD10 does work fine but the resulted negatives have a orange mask... therefor making it harder to develop your own prints. Some say they produce amazing digital scans.

Unless I sell these films I think I might just experiment with them to see what their outcome is.

 

[40oz]

I was waiting for someone to process B&W C-41 in traditional chemicals 🙂

 

[MartinP]

Many years ago, out of curiosity, I did develop XP1 (two generations before the present version) in normal b+w chemicals. I don't remember the details, but I do know that I didn't do it again.....

 

[rover]

I believe the Diafine box gives a speed to shoot XP2 for process in Diafine.

 

[rover]

Yup, per the Diafine instructions, shoot XP2 at 200 and two bath it.

I haven't done it myself, but I do have 3 rolls of Kodak BW CN, maybe I will try.

 

[smiler]

Now its more than likely that I am being stupid or perhaps I have an old box of Diaifine but I can't see any ref to XP2

 

[Pherdinand]

my diafine box also does not talk about XP2... i bought it early this year...
Rover, are you 100% sure it is about XP2??

 

[rover]

Yeah, the image of my box of Diafine is attached in this thread and the system wont let me attach it again.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291

 

[Pherdinand]

huh you seem to have different diafine than i do 🙂)
my diafine box e.g. says i should use tmax3200 at 1250, and it does not even mention delta3200!!
those diafine guys are weird!🙂

 

[rover]

I actully have had better luck with Delta 3200 and Neopan 1600 in Diafine than in any other developer.

Note, that original post is 2 years old, and I am still on the same batch of Diafine.

It just keeps going and going and going and going........

 

[Pherdinand]

rover,

neopan at 1200 (like on box) or 2400 (like on massive dev chart etc)?
and delta3200 at how fast?

thanks🙂

 

[rover]

800-1000 on the Neopan and 1000-1600 on the Delta. I honestly don't like either films. Probably should say I have not liked the results I have gotten from them in general. I have like my Diafine results best, and of course, with Diafine you have lots of latitude. I have done the Delta at 1000, but would bump that to 1250 or 1600 when I do it again.

 

[Markst]

Hey! Thank's for all your replies!

Reading your posts I get the impression this 'Diafine' Developing chemical should do the job?

I understand taking it to a nearby lab would also do the job (is that so?, its the same process as colour?)

But I'd rather try it myself - and I'm getting the idea that 'Diafine' is a good buy?

Does anybody know any speedy/good stores which ship 'Diafine'?

The question still remains - would BW400CN develop in FD10?


Thanks!

 

[wintoid]

Mr Cad sell Diafine, and they're in Croydon. www.mrcad.co.uk

 

[Markst]

Awesome! I live in Croydon! I see you live in Kent, I often visit my siblings in Canterbury - Lovely place!

Do you suggest using Diafine rather than FD10 on a tight budget?

Mr Cad sell Diafine, and they're in Croydon. www.mrcad.co.uk

 

[peter_n]

thanks for the immediate replies!

I've been reading several other forums and a few people say that processing bw400cn with FD10 does work fine but the resulted negatives have a orange mask... therefor making it harder to develop your own prints. Some say they produce amazing digital scans.

Unless I sell these films I think I might just experiment with them to see what their outcome is.

I do not know about FD10 but chromogenic film does scan very well, and most development of the Kodak BW400CN results in an orange mask. The mask apparently helps the one hour labs to print BW400CN on color paper and get decent black & white results, though YMMV on that one. Ilford XP2 is easier to print on normal B&W paper.