Developing BW reversal

[Jake Mongey]

I was a tad bored today and had a look at the steps to develop black and white film as reversal. Obviously I know there are kits availible but my budget and enjoyment of messing round means I would like to try it without.

The problem is with the bleaching step after the first developement. I use C41 chemistry with a seperate bleach and fix. Would I be able to use my C41 bleach for the bleach step and then go onto fog the film and develop again?

 

[Corran]

Nope, wrong bleach. That'll remove everything, if you are talking about actual B&W film.

What you can do instead, if you are just messing around, is buy some thiourea and sodium hydroxide to mix up a toning agent, and use it as a second-pass developer. Then put it in the blix. The developed silver will all be removed and you will have a toned positive image.

You'll have to research the specifics for yourself. Works on any film, but really best on E-6 film.

 

[Freakscene]

Corran is right about C41 bleach - it will get rid of everything. Toned silver still isn't very resistant to thiourea/hydroxide bleaching.

The most used bleach for B&W reversal is:

Potassium dichromate 9.5 gr
Sulfuric acid 98% 12 gr
Water Up to 1000 ml

Marty