ECN-2 kits, Cinestill or QWD?

[Doddle]

Has anyone here used either of these kits? These seem to be the only two on offer for amateurs like me 😉

 

[tonyc]

Has anyone here used either of these kits? These seem to be the only two on offer for amateurs like me 😉

The Cinestill kit does not include the prebath chemicals to remove the ramjet, so you will have to mix your own. Also they use a Blix rather than separate bleach and fix, which works but they do not last long and bleach time exponentially increase with each use.

But 2 bath is quicker than 4.

The QWD uses 4 stages, which is in line with Kodak’s official ECN-2 spec.

There is also another option made by Bellini, which looks like 4 stage process.

If you get serious it is quite easy to mix your own chems ( Kodak publish the formula publicly ).

PS don’t believe the hype Cinestill 800 is in fact ISO 500.

 

[oldwino]

I’ve purchased the QWD kit, and 100’ of 250D.
It’s my film project for the year.
I’ll shoot all the film, however long that takes, then mix the chemistry and go at it.

 

[oldwino]

PS don’t believe the hype Cinestill 800 is in fact ISO 500.

What does that mean? Is it a different film?

 

[analoged]

What does that mean? Is it a different film?

It's Kodak Vision 3 500t motion picture film (500asa tungsten)

 

[wjlapier]

I’ve purchased the QWD kit, and 100’ of 250D.
It’s my film project for the year.
I’ll shoot all the film, however long that takes, then mix the chemistry and go at it.

I thought about this. How many rolls per kit of chemicals? What is the working temp and how strict do you need to be with the temps.

I do a lot of c41 developing and I don’t worry much if I’m off about a degree. Never saw any color issues.

 

[Doddle]

Thanks for the input guys. After doing some lazy sunday research on the topic, I think I'll go with the 4 step and then mix my own chemicals once I've got the process down.

 

[oldwino]

I thought about this. How many rolls per kit of chemicals? What is the working temp and how strict do you need to be with the temps.

I do a lot of c41 developing and I don’t worry much if I’m off about a degree. Never saw any color issues.

The 1 liter kit is rated for 15 (or so) rolls. I am assuming that, much like a C-41 kit, the chems don’t have a long shelf life once mixed.

 

[oldwino]

It's Kodak Vision 3 500t motion picture film (500asa tungsten)

Ok, that’s what I had thought.
I initially misread your statement to mean that it wasn’t.

 

[MinoltaAndy]

Hi. I've been using the Bellini kit and have found the results really good. It's a 4 stage process, with only the development stage being strict about temperature.
Remjet can be removed using warm water and baking soda if need be with other kits. I've tried Kodak 250D, 50D and some out of date Fuji Eterna 250D. In fact I've been that impressed with the Kodak films that I'll probably buy a bulk roll of 250D next time round.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I used ECN-2 film in ECN-2 kit. Made per order. Here is no any big difference from C-41 kit.
ECN-2 will always gives some color cast, shift which is prazed by some or removable in PP.

 

[brbo]

ECN-2 will always gives some color cast, shift which is prazed by some or removable in PP.

Only if it's not processed properly.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Only if it's not processed properly.

Nice theory. In practice ECN-2 required hundreds thousands dollars color correcting machines. DaVinchi was one of the known manufacturers.

 

[brbo]

Not just in theory. In real world properly processed ECN-2 film does NOT have a cross. You can ask Kodak.