C-41 Press Kit Question

[semrich]

Inspired by the results I've seen in the gallery from those who have ventured into doing their own color film processing I now have several kits and some questions to go along with them before I give it a go.

Looking at the directions it seems simple enough, as has been mentioned in other threads, though I notice that there is no mention anywhere about times for different color film speeds as you would find for B&W developing.

I have color films from 100 up to 1600, do I use the same times for all films?

 

[MartinP]

The short answer is "yes".

The process C-41 is a standardised one, that can run any C-41 film in any C-41 machine or hand-process. It was designed that way specifically, in order to make it suitable for the mass-market colour-print market.

 

[Ronald M]

The kit require used to longer times for reuse with second and third films if some high speed films are used. Check current directions. First use times are all the same.

 

[aniMal]

Yes - the times go up, or you have to replenish... Developed my own E6 a few times years ago, what was really hard was getting a stable temperature. Its all solved with adding a small towel into the water bath (I assume you use an ordinary tank here) and putting it on top of the tank between agitations. Then the temperature will not drop more than a tenth of a degree, and if you slowly add some hot water as you go along you can learn how to keep it really stable...

Try developing a few extra test-rolls after the kit is through according to instructions, I actually got wonderful colours from that. Although that was E6 of course.

 

[semrich]

Thanks everyone, I kind of figured that was the case but figured it would still be best to post the question to be sure.

 

[martin s]

What kit is it you bought? I'd love to try, can't seem to find any though. I'd prefer E6, but I'd buy color negative developer as well.

martin

 

[dfoo]

You can get the unicolor kit from freestyle.

 

[Fotohuis]

The standard C41 developer time is 3:15 min. at 37,8 degrees C. This is always the same.
When re-using a stock without replenisher most kits are using for a 500ml stock solution:
1+2 films: 3:15 min.
3+4 films: 3:20 min.
5+6 films: 3:25 min.

The exact temperature for the C41 developer is very important. Original the deviation should be 37,8 degrees C. +/- 0,5 degrees C.
Some kits are alowing a larger tolerance +1 - 1,5 degrees C.
The blix step is much less critical > 35 degrees C. should be always OK.