C41 Dyi ??

[JonR]

Maybe this question has already been asked but given how friendly everyone is here at RFF I will ask anyway....

I used to do a lot of darkroom work in the old days with PlusX and TriX, D76 etc and I know how that works.... Today however I only use C41 type of films both for black-and-white and for colour with Fuiji Reala as my favourite. I send it to the lab for processing and scanning.

Now to my question - is it at all possible to do the C41 processing at home on your own with quality and if so what chemicals/setup is needed ?? Sometimes you want to get the film processed directly and being able to do it yourself would be great....

Thanks!
Jon

 

[mtbbrian]

The thing with processing any kind of color at home is that the temperatures needed are a lot higher and a lot more critical.
The chemicals are a lot more toxic too, so most people don't do it or recommend processing color at home.
Just my two cents.
Brian

 

[Finder]

I run a color darkroom (RA-4 prints) and I can recommend doing it yourself. I found the Jobo CPP-2 an excellent machine for keeping temperatures in control.

Except for a process that uses a stabilizer, I don't find color any more toxic than black and white.

 

[feenej]

That thing is $3,334 at B&H. Is there a cheap way to do it?

 

[Finder]

Any of the Jobo processors that control temperature will be fine. The CPP-2 does it automatically so you don't need to worry about drift as the ambient temps change.

 

[feenej]

The Jobo CPE-2 goes for about $200 on eBay, or $300 with a lift. Now that's more like it. What does the lift do?

 

[Finder]

The Jobo CPE-2 goes for about $200 on eBay, or $300 with a lift. Now that's more like it. What does the lift do?

The lift makes changing chemistry easier and quicker. I highly recommend it.

 

[kmack]

Freestyle sells c41 and E6 kits.

As others have mentioned color processes require higher temperatures and good temperature control. A Jobo will make the process easier but you can do without.

 

[JonR]

Interesting - I will see if I can find any of those equipment here in Sweden - the Artistra for some 200-300 USD looks attractive - I didn´t even know this was possible !?

Thanks for info!

Jon

 

[Bryce]

Are we talking about prints, negs, or both? Prints seem like they could be quite easy with RA-4 room temperature chemistry.
I should say- I've never dabbled in color. So just wondering out loud.

 

[Finder]

RA-4 works at 35 degrees C. You need a hot room. You also need to keep it to 0.5C tolerance.