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Whats needed for Colour Film development?
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As a good few of you know, I already develop by own b+w film.
After recently seeing some very nice Kodak Portra 160 portraits here on PI, I’m very tempted to give it a shot myself,
but really would prefer to develop them myself if at all possible.So, what do I need in terms of equipment that I mightn’t already have and any recommendations for chemicals ?
Cheers!
A quick, good article here:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/developing-a-c41-colour-film-4699″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;You obviously need a C-41 chemistry kit and a good constant temperature [38C +_0.5C max] water bath at the least.
Having three tanks also helps as it’s easier/more consistent to change film than draining tanks during processing.
If you do a lot, having a benchtop processor helps.I use Portra on occasion, but I’m no longer processing C41 myself.
Hi Mark.
It’s been a long long time since I’ve done any colour film development & am trying hard to remember how I used to go about it. The film will need to be loaded in total darkness, so a red safelight can’t be used. A changing bag might be required for loading onto the spool. I have used a dark green safelight without any problems though, but it would need to be done quickly & even when using a dark green safelight, it still takes a few minutes for your eyes to adjust before you can see what you’re doing, so you would need to wait for your eyes to adjust before starting.
Temperature / Timing are critical in colour. You will need a good timer & thermometers. I used to use a digital countdown timer with an audible alarm for this, but when the film is in the tank, you can have a light on, so this isn’t really essential. A basin to pour out the chemicals quickly from the tank after use, another as a warm bath to hold the chemicals in containers for before use. A heater to bring up the room temperature will also help to maintain the chemicals at their working temperature. A clean warm water supply (possibly in a plastic jug) to flush the tank to remove any residual chemicals quickly. Accurate thermometers (I preferred mercury ones). Calibrated digital ones are good.
Can’t think of anything else at the mo. It’s good practice to get used to working in TOTAL darkness by doing some practice runs. Set up the equipment you need in order of how you need them (left to right). Colour printing will be more of a challenge, but the film development is fun once you get into the swing of it.Thanks lads, much appreciated.
Good tips there too ! Will see how we go, hopefully will have something by the end of the month :)
Forgot to mention, that bringing your chemicals to slightly above the required temperature & placing them in containers in a warm bath (basin) will help to maintain the working temperature & allowing the temperature to drop to the required temperature (+ approx half a degree) before starting development.
Also pour warm water into the tank for a few minutes & pour out before starting will warm the tank & also help to keep the chemicals at the required temperature when they are poured in.i have some of that rollei digi kit c-41 in the fridge . . . just waiting to get a batch of colour film
to dev.the last one i did was easy enough. the most difficult part was the temp control.
i think im gonna try the dev at 30c for 6 minutes . . . instead of 38c for 3.30 minutes
http://www.flickr.com/groups/diy_color/discuss/72157626657554342/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for all the great advice folks !.
And thanks to thefizz for getting me the Rollei c-41 kit and some Portra 160VC (120) too ! Can’t wait to give it a shot :)
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