E-6 processing

S

slm

Formerly nextreme
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What a drag. I went to what was my usual lab for developing some 120 slide film today (to be honest though, I haven't shot slide in a while). Well, they stopped processing slide altogether. So here's my question, does anyone process their own slide film ? How do you keep the temperature constant ? Agfa used to make a kit, and it seems Kodak have the chemistry.

Montrealer's: Is there an affordable place in the downtown area (McGill College & Ste-Cath) that processes slide ?
 
I do it occasionally using the Tetenal 3-bath kit. You can use a tray or a cooler filled with hot water to maintain the temperature.

6-bath E-6 gives you more flexibility for push/pull and is more thoroughly tested for archival stability, but I haven't had any problems with Tetenal for up to a two-stop push, which is as far as I ever go anyway. As for stability, I won't know for 60 years.

The Tetenal instructions say you can run three batches through the chemistry, but I recommend being a bit conservative in this regard. I don't use it more than twice, and only once for push. You might be able to get three batches, though, with Kodak film. Fuji development times are longer.
 
I picked up a cheap used Phototherm computerized processor from ebay from a lab that quit E-6.

Greatest thing I could imagine, and perfect E-6 results. Just mix the chems and pick your film - E-6, B&W, or C-41 and press start - it will beep when it has completed the process. I use Kodak standard chemicals and do it one shot - ends up around $1.25- 1.50 per 35mm roll I believe...
 
I found it quite easy, actually

I found it quite easy, actually

Used to run a lot of home processed E6. I found the Rapid E6 (3 bath) kits easiest and fastest to use. I didn't use any fancy equipment, just a cooler holding the water bath to keep constant temperature.

Oh...don't panic when you see the chromes come out of the final wash..:eek: ..you'll breathe easier when they dry.

Jo
 
I use a jobo cpe2 for c41, it regulates the temperature and agitiation, but i've never tried it with e6, they're fairly cheap on the bay aswell.
 
gdi said:
I picked up a cheap used Phototherm computerized processor from ebay from a lab that quit E-6.

Greatest thing I could imagine, and perfect E-6 results. Just mix the chems and pick your film - E-6, B&W, or C-41 and press start - it will beep when it has completed the process. I use Kodak standard chemicals and do it one shot - ends up around $1.25- 1.50 per 35mm roll I believe...
Click to expand...

Wow, is this thing expensive? I notice that lately the prices of Jobo motorized processors have surged to 2-3x what it used to be last year. Looks like the demand for them has increased.

I wonder if soon we're going to be in a situation where there are no more minilabs, instead there are "microlabs" all over the place with people who develop for themselves with these machines.... :)
 
shadowfox said:
Wow, is this thing expensive? I notice that lately the prices of Jobo motorized processors have surged to 2-3x what it used to be last year. Looks like the demand for them has increased.

I wonder if soon we're going to be in a situation where there are no more minilabs, instead there are "microlabs" all over the place with people who develop for themselves with these machines.... :)
Click to expand...

I think I paid around $400 for it...
 
I was looking at the jobo processors too and the price is going as high as 1000$ for the processor w/ tanks.
 
fbf said:
I was looking at the jobo processors too and the price is going as high as 1000$ for the processor w/ tanks.
Click to expand...
That is far too high IMO - close to retail new I believe.

The Phototherm would be my choice - much smaller footprint, no water bath to wait hours to get to temp, no pouring or dumping chemicals. It heats only the amount of chems needed in just a minute or two and dumps automatically, then draws the next chemical. May be harder to find though. Here is a recent sale on ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-Therm-Sidekick-SK8G-Film-Processor-PhotoTherm_W0QQitemZ360018501688QQihZ023QQcategoryZ29993QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122
 
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gdi said:
The Phototherm would be my choice - much smaller footprint, no water bath to wait hours to get to temp, no pouring or dumping chemicals. It heats only the amount of chems needed in just a minute or two and dumps automatically, then draws the next chemical. May be harder to find though. Here is a recent sale on ebay..
http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-Therm-Sidekick-SK8G-Film-Processor-PhotoTherm_W0QQitemZ360018501688QQihZ023QQcategoryZ29993QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122
Click to expand...
Cool machine.
 
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