developing color negs.

[d4170n]

is it the same steps in developing black and white? just with a different developer?

 

[tetrisattack]

No. The C-41 process was designed from the ground up to be done by machines. As a result, it requires much more stringent control of all variables -- time, temperature, replenishment and mixing procedure.

Of course, it can be done at home but it takes many rolls to get your overhead below that of a one-hour lab, and unless you're equipped with a color densitometer and a supply of control strips, it's difficult to gauge the quality of your results.

 

[venchka]

Follow up question:

Can C-41 color negative film be developed in conventional B&W developer? If so, which developer?

 

[oscroft]

The C-41 process was designed from the ground up to be done by machines. As a result, it requires much more stringent control of all variables -- time, temperature, replenishment and mixing procedure.

It's not just more stringent control - it actually is a different set of steps.

 

[Finder]

C-41 was not designed for machines. It can be done at home. A tempering bath makes the process much easier.

But the chemistry and process is not the same as the one B&W. The C-41 process develops the silver in each three color layers, attaches dye to the image centers (grain), and then bleaches the silver out of the film. Only the stop bath and wash use the same chemistry as B&W. C-41 also has a stabilizer.

 

[MartinP]

Follow up question:

Can C-41 color negative film be developed in conventional B&W developer? If so, which developer?

Yes, any normal developer (ID11, HC110, D76 etc etc). You can use the search box here to find previous threads about it.

So far as I recall from my attempt long ago, there is no positive characteristic which might make one want to do this. Obviously you won't have a coloured silver image and, almost as obviously, it will be very awkward to print the resulting negative because of the base colour of the film - but you could try scanning it.

 

[venchka]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Yes, any normal developer (ID11, HC110, D76 etc etc). You can use the search box here to find previous threads about it.

So far as I recall from my attempt long ago, there is no positive characteristic which might make one want to do this. Obviously you won't have a coloured silver image and, almost as obviously, it will be very awkward to print the resulting negative because of the base colour of the film - but you could try scanning it.

I will do the search. The reason I ask is because I find myself with an abudance of C-41 film. 35 rolls of 120 Kodak Portra 800 & 19 rolls of 220 Fuji NPZ 800. For economic reasons, it would be far less expensive to use this film & process in B&W developer. I could then scan the negatives since I don't have a wet darkroom. Alternatively, I could just trade the 800 speed C-41 film for B&W 120/220 film. Anybody up for a trade?

 

[bcostin]

Follow up question:

Can C-41 color negative film be developed in conventional B&W developer? If so, which developer?

Any B&W developer will develop C-41 color film, in B&W of course. I use Diafine, mostly because there's no need to worry about what time/temperature/agitation to use.

You'll get B&W negatives on a dark orange film base, and the result will usually be rather grainy compared to true B&W film. It works ok for scanning. And it's handy for developing old film.

 

[Carlos Cruz]

I tried developing color negative in B&W chemistry but I wouldn't say it looked ok,
only one layer has been developed and depending on film and chemistry used you can have funny results. My negs came out with only green layer developed. So the contrast was way too low to print or scan.
I'd buy a C41 dev set and do it at home it's really easy if you do it according to instructions(or it can lead you to different experiments with unusual ?processes: like bleach bypass, cross processing etc.)The process is much faster than regular B&W, the only problem might be keeping temperature. I usuallly put all chemicals into container and add hot water until they have desired temp.

good luck

 

[Finder]

Black and white film works better as a black and white film compared to color film.

 

[clintock]

I will do the search. The reason I ask is because I find myself with an abudance of C-41 film. 35 rolls of 120 Kodak Portra 800 & 19 rolls of 220 Fuji NPZ 800. For economic reasons, it would be far less expensive to use this film & process in B&W developer. I could then scan the negatives since I don't have a wet darkroom. Alternatively, I could just trade the 800 speed C-41 film for B&W 120/220 film. Anybody up for a trade?

I know it can be a pain to find cheap MF c-41- but I asked the CVS and they said they can do it, but they send it out, also I think there was thread here lately saying wal-mart also can send it out. Word is that the frontier/noritsu machines have different cartdrige loading things, for 35mm, APS and I assume 120/220, so it's just a matter of finding a place with an operator that will load the 120/220 holder...
I asked at the Costco, and they said they didn't have the 120/220 thing, only the 35 and aps one, and the guy said he really hated aps- something about it being really hard to load right. I didnt ask if they could send it out thoug via the costco..

 

[saxshooter]

I find developing C-41 easier than processing black and white. Same processing times for all films. You just need to keep the temperature constant.

I found stainless steel tanks to work best.

Tetenal makes a great 2-step chemistry, 1 liter mixes. $17 at B&H

LINK

and you would need something to maintain temperature at 100 degrees F.

A Dev-Tec heating element, if you can find one, may be around $100, but I've made one of those heating elements to boil water work, albeit a bit tricky.

 

[oscroft]

I tried developing color negative in B&W chemistry but I wouldn't say it looked ok, only one layer has been developed and depending on film and chemistry used you can have funny results. My negs came out with only green layer developed.

That's interesting - why would only one layer be developed?

 

[David Murphy]

I used to develop c41 (for color printing). I think there are chemistry kits that make it easier than Kodak's standard process -- I think the one I used was called Unicolor -- that was years ago so I'm sure they have better kits now. It was not too hard (I was 17), it was fun, but too messy for a bathroom. I now have it done at the local drug store for $2 and scan the negatives.

 

[danwilly]

It makes no economic sense to develop color at home unless you are doing several rolls in a batch.

 

[Keith]

I have a question that someone can answer I hope. What happens when you develop C41 black and white film such as Kodak's BW400CN in conventional b/w developer?

 

[ully]

Use Tetenal kit.

Use Tetenal kit.

I developed my C41 at home for years. Used to use Unicolor kit or Beseler kit. Just as easy as B&W except for the temperature control. I use a foam plastic tub and use a coffee cup heater to keep the temperature at 100 degrees F. Only takes a few minutes to develop a roll.

Todays kits are made by Tetenal. I believe they are from Germany.

 

[LeicaTom]

I now have it done at the local drug store for $2 and scan the negatives.

That`s what I do all the time now, I don`t even print stuff anymore, I just have the negs developed and do all the rest of the work on my computer, I see there`s no economical reason to develop color film at home

Tom

 

[Keith]

It makes no economic sense to develop color at home unless you are doing several rolls in a batch.

Hey ... if we all had economic sense would we be shooting film? 😛

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

For color film in B&W developer look in the Gallery for nrb's photo of 'RFF Lisbon' posted recently at:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=72952