DIY colour processing??

[Ash]

ok, ok.. I know I take a lot on, and my list of things to buy is TLR's, RF's, large format, more film, another this that the other... BUT, I have sooo much E-6 process film in the fridge - 4 bulk-roll tins of the stuff - and I need to make use of it before buying anything else.

It's all waaaay out of date (was shipped to me from TimeFreeze, and the expiration on the tins is before I was born!) and I did a small amount of experimenting with it using b&w developer, to no real avail.

Well.

I want to process it properly, or cross-process it at the very least.

I saw this:

http://www.fotospeed.com/colorchem.htm

The 'CK3E6 E6 Process Kit 1200ml' looks good, at about £22 exc. delivery.


Anyone used that stuff?? Anyone got a cheaper alternative? By cheaper, I mean cheaper chemicals rather than 'just send it away to process'. I'd much prefer to keep developing things myself, and do it as cheap as possible since all this stuff is probably gonna be a bit crappy anyway!

I'm looking for UK sites, since getting chem's from outside the UK is a bit risky.


Thanks all,

 

[Ash]

No-one got any ideas????

 

[Ash]

Ah good idea. I was thinking of doing a bunch of cross-processing anyways, but I'm not sure how this will affect longevity? I heard of films becoming practically blank/dull after a few years archived

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Ash,
Jessops do a 3 bath E6 Kit,600ml.enogh to do 6 or possibly 8 films.I used it often and found it to be exc.Patterson did a similar one,also exc..I haven't processed for about 2 years,but assume that they are still available.I understand that Nova is a good source for other kits.

I had no problem processing in a tank in the kitchen,with normal precautions.It takes about 30 minutes to go through the process.Temperature control at 38 degrees is no problem using a plastic bowl as a waterbath to keep the tank warm.

Main problem with E6 is the quick expiry of the developers after mixing.After 2/3 weeks they usually expire.Therefore you virtually have to have 6 films waiting for processing,otherwise at approx.13.50(2 years ago) for the kit .it becomes expensive.

Hope this helps,🙂
Brian.

 

[Ash]

Thanks Brian thats a great help. I heard about some people refrigerating the liquids. I was hoping that maybe the kit I buy can allow for smaller quantities to be mixed.

No doubt I can shoot 6 films pretty fast anyways.

Am I right in thinking you have done C-41 as well Brian?

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

I have also heard that freezing the chemicals can preserve them,but never tried it myself.Also never got round to C41,my problem being the subsequent printing
I did try printing, briefly ,with B/W,using a Russian enlarger that folded up into a small case---very neat, and with an Industar lens,but found setting up a darkroom in the bathroom just didn't work in a smallish semi,with 3 kids.You can imagine---Knock on door--'Dad,I need the toilet'etc.,etc.,etc.🙁

Brian.

 

[Fred]

There's a company called Fotospeed based locally in Corsham near Chippenham. I've used the E6 chemistry from there and been very pleased. Tempetature is critical for the first 12 minutes or so, I bought a water heater from Nova Darkroom to heat the kitchen sink. Took a while to get it just right but was worth it as once its set its done.

I'm on leave this week so if you want any picking up let me know. The shelf life is not brilliant when mixed so I tend to use it up within a month if I can.

Good luck Ash

 

[Ash]

Ah damn. I think I might go for cross-processing as I doubt the film will be much use as it is!

 

[Ash]

Tony, brilliant! Fotospeed were the link I originally found!

I'll see whether they have a C-41 kit I want (as I think this will be a lot more fun for me than the E-6) and let you know ASAP.

thanks!

 

[Fred]

Ash, they do C41 stuff as well, works ok for me. I've not done too much recently due to personal issues but I have done colour printing and guess I'm a dying breed on that front. Much cheaper to do it myself than lab 120 roll film.

 

[Ash]

So how was the cost in total? With the temperature monitoring? And how many films can you get through from each lot of chemicals before they're spent?

I hope everything is ok for you lately, and great to hear from you! 🙂

 

[Fred]

So how was the cost in total? With the temperature monitoring? And how many films can you get through from each lot of chemicals before they're spent?

I hope everything is ok for you lately, and great to hear from you! 🙂

C41 is quite cheap for 120 roll film, just add on about 10 - 15% time for each roll, probably OK for three or four rolls depending on the time mixed. C41 is a lot easier than E6, only needs 38 degrees for 3 mins 15 secs which is easy in a water bath of hot water, mr microwave is usefull to get the chemestry up to temp also.

Printing is another matter, I have problems now getting the RA4 paper. I got some in the fridge that should see me out for some time yet. Dare I say it you're possibly better off getting a decent flatbed for that.

 

[Ash]

Yea I'll be scanning - I daren't hazard C-41 printing. B&W printing is effort in itself!