Home-developed C-41: how long is your final wash?

[bobby_novatron]

I've been doing my own C-41 for a few years now. I find it easy and convenient. But I have a small question for those who might follow more precise methods than I do.

After I've finished with the Fixer solution, I run the film (while still on the spools in the tank) under tepid tap water. I do several changes of water as the tank fills up.

I run it this way for about 2-3 minutes, then finish with preservative / photo-flo for about 30 seconds -- then hang to dry.

Is my 2-3 minute tap water wash too short? I'm just wondering how the minilabs do it -- is it supposed to be longer to eliminate the remnants of the fixer?

The instructions that came with my C-41 kit don't give any references to a final water wash. So I just made up my own, loosely based upon B+W processing.

Any insights would be appreciated. All the best!

 

[Fotohuis]

I am doing the water change 3 times, after one minute, two minutes and three minutes in a Jobo CPA-2 (with elevator). The last step, the Stabilizer I am doing outside the Jobo processor to prevent foam and contamination in the system (elevator).

 

[Ko.Fe.]

How own is your own? C-41 kit is your own mix? Or it is from known manufacturer?
I have Jobo kits and not so widely known manufacturer. Both provided instructions for processing including timing for every stage, final wash included.
I do three minutes by running water 🙂

 

[bobby_novatron]

It sounds like 3 minutes is OK, that is a good standard to use.

The kit I am using is Tetenal 'EcoJet', they are tablets used by mini-labs ... I bought a huge box of these tablets on eBay, so I mix up the solutions myself at home.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thanks, Bobby!
I was wondering if those are good for home.

 

[Fotohuis]

Jobo kits are coming from Fuji Hunt in Belgium. The same for the Rollei Digibase C41 kits.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Thanks, Bobby!
I was wondering if those are good for home.

If you can find the tablets for sale on eBay or somewhere -- they are 100% good for using at home. There is a special 'recipe' that I have for mixing the different chemicals -- if you want more information send me a private message.

I have had good results with the Tetenal C-41 home kits as well.

The main thing I was worried about was the wash time -- I was concerned that if I didn't wash the negatives enough that they would become damaged by residual fixer.

BTW, has anyone noticed that with some films the final wash turns pink? I find that Kodak Portra 400 does this. When I do the final wash for 3-4 minutes, the water turns pink. This happens when I develop 35mm or 120 film. I do not know why this happens, but it does not seem to affect the film.

 

[zauhar]

I put it under the tap with running water close to the developing temperature, and rinse a bit more than three minutes (like 3 1/2), emptying the tank a couple times (although I doubt emptying the tank is necessary).

I use the 'stabilizer' for a minute of so, although I am not sure what it really achieves. Then return the stabilizer to it's container and use photoflo for 30 sec.

Sounds like everyone is doing close to the same thing. I have been getting good results with the jobo unit, and the developed film seems 'stable' over time.

I am interested to learn of the 'tablets', I have to look for those!

Randy

 

[Fotohuis]

A Stabilizer is already containing a wetting agent. Further it is important that the whole process is done on 100F/37,8C.

 

[bobby_novatron]

The tablets I use are a commercial product designed for Noritsu mini-lab machines, which I think are pretty common in many countries.

The link to more info about the tablets is here, if anyone is interested:

http://www.tetenal.com/index_c.htm?AKT=01120010001000100010&L=

I bought mine from eBay, but they are not commonly available online unless you are lucky and find a vendor. I purchased mine from a warehouse / clearance outlet that was selling various supplies from a closed C-41 lab. I think I have enough tablets to last me for 20 years! 🙂

Anyway, the Tetenal liquid chemicals are easier to use and more widely available. I generally find C-41 is faster and easier than B+W processing, so I tend to shoot more C-41 film.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have last two Telenal/Jobo kits unused. But BH ditched their loyal customers and ain't willing to ship it anymore. I have another two sources from Russia and Canada for now.

C-41 film is very expensive and isn't available in bulks, ECN-2 is still available in bulks and good for C-41.

 

[Fotohuis]

C-41 film is very expensive and isn't available in bulks, ECN-2 is still available in bulks and good for C-41.

My last bulk C-41 film was from Agfa Photo in 2006. 5 pcs. 30,5m/100ft Optima 400 C-41 film each Eur. 6,-
I have just finished the last Optima 400 rolls and I am switching over to Fuji Superia 100 now. I bought this film at Fuji (plant in Holland) last December for Eur. 0,40. A forgotten OEM deal: 135-24 films.

My friend in Ukraine is dealing with ECN-2 color films and chemicals. He is also making C-41 kits himself.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Bulk film in C-41 is still available online, there are a few options:

1. expired bulk films on eBay (have to be careful about what people are selling, some of the films are REALLY expired)
2. ultrafine in California, they sell expired new-old-stock films like Konica and Fuji, but their stock constantly changes and their shipping (outside USA) is expensive
3. filmphotographyproject.com sells SVEMA 125 ... fresh (not expired) 30 meter/100 feet bulk rolls. I actually like this film a lot, it dries perfectly flat and is super-easy to scan, but it always requires colour-correction, it tends to render colours in a strange way.
4. ECN-2 cans of roll-ends from movie projects. Again, eBay has some of these listed. I've tried 50D and 320T, but I don't like removing the rem-jet (I'm lazy). Filmphotographyproject.com has ECN-2 as well.

FWIW there are lots of bulk films available here:

https://filmphotographyproject.com/store/film/bulk-film-rolls

Unfortunately C-41 (even in bulk) is not nearly as cheap as B+W. I figured out that rolling my own 36 exp. canisters of SVEMA 125 was costing me about $7.90 per roll. But I still buy it because I like the 'look' of SVEMA 125 and it's so easy to scan.

This is a recent photo I took using my Olympus OM2n and SVEMA 125. Home-developed C-41 using Tetenal 'EcoJet' chemistry.

 

[Fotohuis]

I just "dumped" the last bulk Agfa Optima 400 (exp. 2007) 135-36 for Eur. 2,49 to make space in one of my bulk loaders for other film.

Last year DM Drogerie in Germany stopped their Kodak Ektar 100 135-36 films: Eur. 2,15 !!

What I bought in bulk amount Fuji Superia 100 (C-41) 135-24 for Eur. 0,40.

Maybe one of the last nice deals for C-41 films. A forgotten OEM deal.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Where is no fresh SVEMA, period. And at 7.50 per roll you are heavily subsidizing company which is disinforming customers despite known fact.
I bet BH still has c-41 film in rolls twice less expensive.

 

[Fotohuis]

I can put 15 pcs. Superia 100 C-41 films in an airpack enveloppe for Eur. 11,- in transport (or any film) Europe wide. Due to the Euro - US$ rate 1,08 it can be even interesting for any USA / Canada interest.

 

[Fotohuis]

Where is no fresh SVEMA, period. And at 7.50 per roll you are heavily subsidizing company which is disinforming customers despite known fact.

Indeed. Svema stopped at the end of the 90's and during their last years they did not produce anything anymore but just loaded the cassettes with Fomapan from the Czech Republic. This T200 and T800 film was also available under Paterson label during that time era.

But I can load a nice Retro film under Svema if there is interest in this forgotten label from Ukraine.

Just another label, Svema FOTO 320 or FOTO 200 with my Brother labelwriter and a few Russian signs on it. The iso 320 film itself has no markers so it is further undetectable where it is coming from. 🙂 I will be very glad to sell this "Svema" then for Eur. 7,50.

 

[Fotohuis]

So, now waiting for some first orders ...... 🙂

Fresh film .... made in Ukraine (at least the label).

 

[Fotohuis]

View from the "packing":

View from the (label) "factory":

Of course all true.

 

[bobby_novatron]

I can put 15 pcs. Superia 100 C-41 films in an airpack enveloppe for Eur. 11,- in transport (or any film) Europe wide. Due to the Euro - US$ rate 1,08 it can be even interesting for any USA / Canada interest.

If this is possible maybe we can discuss it further? I sent you a PM, thanks for your help. 🙂