How to Develop Colour Films and Prints By Ourselves?

[hanqiang1011]

Hi all,

What are the steps of developing colour films and prints?

Any links here?

Regards

[sriram]

There are good books in the lib. Tampines has a couple of them. Be warned that the chemicals can be corrosive, specially if you are doing E6, quite dangerous. Disposal is extremely important for these hazardous chemicals.

That said, Ruby used to sell E6 dev kits. Dunno if they still have them.

[idor]

Originally Posted by sriram There are good books in the lib. Tampines has a couple of them. Be warned that the chemicals can be corrosive, specially if you are doing E6, quite dangerous. Disposal is extremely important for these hazardous chemicals. That said, Ruby used to sell E6 dev kits. Dunno if they still have them.

BTW I strongly advise against E6. It is very dangerous/toxic chemical. over here in US, pple who do E6 processing usually do it in their garage and in case of a spill, they have to use sand, detergent and some chemicals to clean the floor just to make sure its completely clean. a common danger of E6 is if you spill on the floor and it dries up you may inhale the dust. Thats why people usually bring it to lab for E6 processing.

[Runz]

If you meant E6... Ruby still bring in E6 but think needa mass order. The last time(about a few months ago) I tried Tetenal E6, the full instructions is included in the package itself. Think its pretty hard to do slide prints. I only know of Ilforchrome which is not available here. Hope it helped!

[sriram]

Ruby used to sell Ilfochrome chemicals about 2-3 yrs back.

[aimlessfool]

Originally Posted by Runz If you meant E6... Ruby still bring in E6 but think needa mass order. The last time(about a few months ago) I tried Tetenal E6, the full instructions is included in the package itself. Think its pretty hard to do slide prints. I only know of Ilforchrome which is not available here. Hope it helped!

So anyone interested in E-6? maybe can work out a MO

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Hi all, What are the steps of developing colour films and prints? Any links here? Regards

I am not too sure about colour negative film (C-41) but colour prints from colour negative is a 2 or 3 step process using Kodak RA chemicals. I haven't been printing for ages now, so I don't know if chemicals and paper are still readily available.

For colour prints, for processing using drums,
1. prewet (30secs)
2. developer (1 min depending on chemical)
3. stop bath (optional; 30 sec)
4. bleach-fix (1.5 - 2 min depending on chemical)
5. wash (1 min)
6. wash (1 min)
7. wash (2 min)

For tray process,
1. developer (1 min depending on chemical)
2. stop bath (30 sec)
3. bleach fix (1.5 - 2 min depending on chemical)
4. wash (1 min)
5. wash (3 min)

One thing to note is that temperature of the developer is critical otherwise the colour will be wrong, so it is best to use processing tanks or drums with temperature controlled water bath.

Of course, to do the printing you will need an enlarger with a colour head.

[hondasleeper]

E-6 processing in my opinion is not as hazardous as someone mentioned earlier.

But one thing I must mention it is a rather tedious process for both e-6 and C-41. The temperature of your chemistry must be spot on if not you might experience a color shift in your film.

And as far as making prints, can get expensive if you look into the drum processors. Frankly, unless someone is paying alot of money to make a print or if you are doing a show. You are better of going to a lab to get the stuff printed. I think someone mentioned it, that the equipment and chemistry that you would need would be way too expensive.