1st self-dev color film photos

[Kenj8246]

It's just as easy to do medium format C-41 developing as it is 35mm.


Dick's Classic Garage by kenj8246, on Flickr

Kenny

 

[alienmeatsack]

I realize that space or money are an issue for some people, but I honestly don't know why more folks don't develop their own color (or BW) for that matter. I paid $20 USD for the Unicolor kit and it pays for itself in 4 rolls. And I should be able to get another 15-20 out of it easily. If I discount out the cost of the bottles to store the 3 chemicals, I still break even at 7 rolls and anything past that is just the cost of my time and the water I use when rinsing.

Like Kenj8246 said, both film sizes are a breeze, it's really just a matter of how many photos you get out of the effort and otherwise the films all work the same pretty much in the soup.

gsgary, thanks! That's a Flowering Quince bush/tree in my yard. I love the blossoms on it, they are so amazing. I only get 2 or so weeks of the flowers so I take a lot of photos of them when I can. This was my first year to do so with film vs digital. And my first year to develop the shots myself.

 

[yossarian123]

I'll probably get a pack once the temperatures warm up. I have a hell of a time in the winter keeping my temperatures consistent in my cold basement. But the results look great and the price is right.

 

[Kenj8246]

I don't recall whether the instruction sheet mentions anything about it but it's not a bad idea to reserve the presoak after pouring it off and then using it between developer and blix to keep the blix alive a little longer. Just pour it in and swish it around and pour it off before adding the blix.

Kenny

 

[gsgary]

I realize that space or money are an issue for some people, but I honestly don't know why more folks don't develop their own color (or BW) for that matter. I paid $20 USD for the Unicolor kit and it pays for itself in 4 rolls. And I should be able to get another 15-20 out of it easily. If I discount out the cost of the bottles to store the 3 chemicals, I still break even at 7 rolls and anything past that is just the cost of my time and the water I use when rinsing.

Like Kenj8246 said, both film sizes are a breeze, it's really just a matter of how many photos you get out of the effort and otherwise the films all work the same pretty much in the soup.

gsgary, thanks! That's a Flowering Quince bush/tree in my yard. I love the blossoms on it, they are so amazing. I only get 2 or so weeks of the flowers so I take a lot of photos of them when I can. This was my first year to do so with film vs digital. And my first year to develop the shots myself.

Over here we get cheer blossom mostly it can be gone in a matter a days if it is windy

 

[gsgary]

It's just as easy to do medium format C-41 developing as it is 35mm.


Dick's Classic Garage by kenj8246, on Flickr

Kenny

WOW, i dont think a pro lad would beat that

 

[Photo_Smith]

I've been processing my own since the early 1980's. This is one done last autumn on MF

and one from last spring;

Done with a Tetenal kit, it works out about £1 per film

 

[alienmeatsack]

How does the Tetenal kit compare to the Unicolor kit in terms of quality and length of usability?

Those are gorgeous shots BTW!

 

[Photo_Smith]

I haven't used the Unicolour, but I can get 16-18 films per 1 litre kit and it lasts at least 2-3 months. I save up films and process them in batches. After the first 8-10 films I add 30 seconds to the dev time and 50% to the bleach.

The process is simple, a plus is the kit being a liquid one; if you can do mono then C41 is within your capabilities.

That said I started developing my own as a teenager when Photocolor started making kits in the early 1980's so I've never found it hard.
i urge everyone to give it a go, especially if you have a scanner:

 

[Tom hicks]

My kit lasted for 3 months , I will note I made no attempt at keeping the oxy to a minimum. I wanted to see how long it would last with no special care. I got 43 rolls out of it . 2 liter kit. For me the film got a little milky looking when it finally exhausted ( very low contrast. ) 20 percent of the rolls were 120 rest 35mm 24 and 36 exp.

 

[Tom hicks]

here are some from a while back .http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125994

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125601

the easiest way to heat up the chemicals. 600ml in a plastic bottle, microwave for 2 min and i get 102 degrees. one bottle with dev the other with blix at the same time in the microwave.

 

[Bill Clark]

Great photos!

One is really a Dusey!

C-41 is quite easy. First develp. temp. try to keep pretty steady!

 

[anjoca76]

Looks like I need to give C41 a try. There are some stunning results here!

 

[grapejohnson]

I agree. I have no color printing equipment, but I do have a scanner and a full darkroom. Since the summer's coming I might as well give it a shot!