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Thread: C-41 Question

  1. #1

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    C-41 Question

    Just started processing color negatives using C-41. I was under the impression that after dunking the film into the Stabilizer for a minute the entire process was basically done, and all that was needed was to hang the film to dry.

    I did this, but my dried film was full of water spots.

    Should I have finished off the process with a dunk into Photo-Flo?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    http://www.spiritsofsilver.com tgtaylor's Avatar
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    Re: C-41 Question

    Stabilizer is the wetting agent, among other things, for C-41.

  3. #3

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Not sure what C-41 process you are using. Tetenal, Kodak??

    With Kodak processes, after fixing you need to wash film for 2 minutes, then treat with Flexicolor Final rinse, prepared with demineralized water, then hang to dry.
    Stabilizer and final rinses used in minilabs are 3 bath washless systems C41RA Minilabs run Developer, bleach 2 fixer tanks and 3 final rinse tanks, then dry.

    Use a wash after fixing and purified water with Flexicolor Final rinse, hang to dry. The Final rinse is a wetting agent with a biocide to preserve the gelatin. B&W has silver to keep the fungi away.

  4. #4

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Did you mix your stabilizer with tap water or distilled? I got spots with tap so I switched over to distilled and it made a difference.

  5. #5

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Quote Originally Posted by tgtaylor View Post
    Stabilizer is the wetting agent, among other things, for C-41.
    Yes, that was my understanding, until I got the wate rspots. Thanks for affirming.

  6. #6

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Duolab123 View Post
    Not sure what C-41 process you are using. Tetenal, Kodak??

    With Kodak processes, after fixing you need to wash film for 2 minutes, then treat with Flexicolor Final rinse, prepared with demineralized water, then hang to dry.
    Stabilizer and final rinses used in minilabs are 3 bath washless systems C41RA Minilabs run Developer, bleach 2 fixer tanks and 3 final rinse tanks, then dry.

    Use a wash after fixing and purified water with Flexicolor Final rinse, hang to dry. The Final rinse is a wetting agent with a biocide to preserve the gelatin. B&W has silver to keep the fungi away.
    Used Unicolor chemistry.

  7. #7

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Quote Originally Posted by cuypers1807 View Post
    Did you mix your stabilizer with tap water or distilled? I got spots with tap so I switched over to distilled and it made a difference.
    Thanks for the tip. I guess I'll have to wait to do that for the next time I prepare the chemistry.

  8. #8

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    Re: C-41 Question

    My tap water is loaded with minerals. I installed a reverse osmosis system. Makes, almost, as pure water as distilled. I use the RO water, for final rinse, powdered developer etc. Purified water at Walmart works great, cheap.

  9. #9

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    Re: C-41 Question

    I've been using Kodak Flexicolor for a while. I remember some E6 kits had crystal dry chemical for the final rinse. I found a few tiny white crystals on the dried film. Brushed them off with a camel hair brush, no problem.

  10. #10

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    Re: C-41 Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Duolab123 View Post
    My tap water is loaded with minerals. I installed a reverse osmosis system. Makes, almost, as pure water as distilled. I use the RO water, for final rinse, powdered developer etc. Purified water at Walmart works great, cheap.
    While I don't think I'll be installing a water system, I will start using distilled water to prepare the chemistry. Thanks!

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