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Thread: C41 Development Issue

  1. #1

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    Unhappy C41 Development Issue

    I've been having this issue recently. Sort of wispy blue streaks on my negatives. Initially I thought it was my cool/dry drying environment e.g. my poorly heated apartment kitchen. It's around 65F or less (Kodak's minimum recommended drying temp is 75F.). Photo of Orange was dried in cool kitchen. I thought the rapid curling of the film as it dried in this environment caused water to arc and later dry into streaks.

    This time (church photos) I dried the negatives in a humid bathroom, it did lose humidity and the film did eventually curl a little (much less), I saw no arcing water (in fact negs looked perfect to the eye), but I still had streaks upon scanning.

    The minimal curling did not happen until the film was much drier as compared to the cool kitchen where it curled quickly while still very wet.

    I've been developing in a two roll metal tank (with black plastic top), though only one roll at a time, with enough chemistry for two rolls. Using a metal reel ...

    I'm wondering if this is an issue with my tank filling or agitating technique, # of rolls in tank, the way the film is on the reel, or light leaks when spooling film onto reel in my changing bag, or when developing the film in the "daylight" tank?

    Appreciate any info. Might go back to my plastic Paterson tank with plastic reels to see if that helps.

    Thanks,
    Bill


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  2. #2

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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Sure signs of global warming.

  3. #3
    Unwitting Thread Killer Ari's Avatar
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Are you pre-soaking?
    I had streaks as well, and I was pre-soaking for one minute.
    A member suggested two 30-second pre-soaks, and it worked very well.

    If that doesn't work, try the plastic tank/reel.

  4. #4
    Still Developing
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Definitely needs per soak. I use 4 minute (recommended figure is quite high to thoroughly wet emulsion right through)
    Still Developing at http://www.timparkin.co.uk and scanning at http://cheapdrumscanning.com

  5. #5
    Daniel Stone's Avatar
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    When I was doing my own C-41, I did (2) 30s pre-soaks at 105F. That helps to "prepare" the emulsion for development. I found that I got more consistent development from batch-->batch, and my color tones were much smoother, with less apparent grain(for some reason, IDK exactly why). Especially with 4x5 and 8x10 sheets, this proved CRITICAL to attaining the best color negatives I could(using 4x5 reels in a Jobo tank, rotary agitation), and a 3005 drum for 8x10 sheets(same rotary base).

    I now outsource my E-6 and C-41 to a lab which gives me almost the same results. I simply do not have the time anymore to do my own color processing, so the small increase in cost is defintely worth the time saved mixing chemicals and souping film. And since Kodak killed the 1gal "ready mix" C-41 kits, breaking down the 25gal kits gets to be a real pain, real quick, especially for those who hate math like myself

    -Dan

  6. #6
    retrogrouchy
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Pre-soaks should be for about 5:00 total and include at least two changes of process-temp water.

    First one actually has two problems: the blue splash (fresh developer hitting dry film maybe?) and the pale worm, which looks like a water drop from your drum has dribbled down the emulsion before development.

  7. #7

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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Thanks for the replies. I did not pre-soak. The instructions don't mention it. I'll try pre-soaking next time.

    Thanks again,
    Bill

  8. #8
    photobymike's Avatar
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Do you put the Stabilizer in the tank? or do you Stabilize in a separate tray off the reel?

  9. #9

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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    I put the stabilizer in the tank.

    I solved the problem by preparing the stabilizer with distilled water!

    Picked this and other great tips up from the following article:

    http://www.shutterbug.com/content/da...rmat-c-41-film

    which also says do not pre-soak:

    "Pre-Wetting Color Film. Don't. Don't ever. It's a no-no. Pre-wetting is a valid technique of dealing with the excessive agitation of rotary drum processors when processing black and white film. The Jobo AutoLab processors automatically include a pre-wet cycle when processing black and white film. Those processors do not provide for such a cycle when processing color films."

  10. #10
    retrogrouchy
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    Re: C41 Development Issue

    Quote Originally Posted by spacegoose View Post
    "Pre-Wetting Color Film. Don't. Don't ever. It's a no-no. Pre-wetting is a valid technique of dealing with the excessive agitation of rotary drum processors when processing black and white film. The Jobo AutoLab processors automatically include a pre-wet cycle when processing black and white film. Those processors do not provide for such a cycle when processing color films."
    Completely contrary to Jobo and Fuji instructions but whatever.

    If you don't presoak, you will load up your developer with antihalation dyes for a start and you run the risk of dribbles on the film unless you dry the tank perfectly, not to mention it's really really hard to get the temperature right without a presoak. I always presoak my colour films (in Jobo) and they come out perfectly.

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