My first C-41 processing

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Here's some results from my first C-41 home processing (using Tetenal C-41 kit):

#1 my home

#2 my home

#3

#4 this monument to the alpine soldiers was made by my father

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

I think that the results are more than decent, considering that this was my very first try, and that both the films and the chemicals
were long time expired. Rolling Eyes

These were my steps, in case someone is interested:

1- pre-soak of two minutes in demineralized water, at the working temperature (38°C)
The purpose was to warm up the film and tank so that the temperature difference would not lower the developer temperature

2- developer bath for 3'15'' at working temperature (38°)

3- stop bath for 30'', using an acidic solution at working temperature (38°)
the purpose was to keep the bleach/fix bath as free as possible from developer contamination

4- bleach-fix bath for 4' at working temperature (38°)

5- washing with demineralized water for 3 minutes, changing water every 20 inversions. Water at working temperature (38°)

6- stabilizer bath for 1' at approximately 25°C temperature

The negatives came out with a rather visible magenta cast on them, which obviously turned to a greenish cast after scanning.
After some research on the net for the possible reason of the green cast, I determined it was because of overheat.
In fact, being afraid that the room temperature (quite low, at approx 18°C) could lower the chemicals temperature during the operations,
I did set the bath temperatures slightly higher than recommended, at 38,2° to 38,4° C, expecting this slightly higher value to make up for the expected cooling of the solutions.
Big mistake: the solutions evidently did not get cooler, and the higher chemicals temperature altered the reaction to the dye couplers.
Yes, quite obviously a simple difference of a third of a Celsius degree is enough to cause this type of cast - unless it was the fault of the expired chemicals, which I have no way to verify soon.
The colour cast was easy to remove in PP in some pictures, and nastier in others; hence the sort of mixed results with colours that you can see.
Everything considered, I would call it a positive experience. Next time I'll make sure to stay as closest as possible to the instructions values, and not be influenced by external factors.
The pre-soak and the stop bath steps were not in the basic steps instructions of the Tetenal manual. They were, however, mentioned somewhere in the text, and I thought it was useful to implement them.
I think that this first test proved it right: pre-soak and stop bath both helped.

P.S. Contax RX camera with 2-3 different lenses (can't remember...) Embarassed

, Ferraniacolor 200 film.

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Netherlands

Looks as a good succes!
Nice pics and good colors.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

look great, colors are good !

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

Very good for first attempt...........for me as the supermarkets do a great job for 35mm at a cheap price, I would only return to DIY C41 processing if I can't find a convenient place who would do 120 as I really want to use medium format again.

pich900 · Expire: 2012-12-27

I have no idea what's C-41 processing but the colors are indeed great and I love your home Very Happy

....

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

thanks, C-41 is the code name for standard colour negative process. Smile

(E-6 is for standard slide process)

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Great success and great images too! Congrats!!

themoleman342 · Expire: 2013-01-24

They look great! I'd love if you'd continue to process c-41 on your own. It would be wonderful to compare notes a few rolls down the road.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

I surely plan to continue. Now I have understood that I need to be VERY VERY VERY restrictive about temperature changes,
which seem much more influential on results than developing times.

Kram · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1344 Location: Portland, OR

Good job Orio! Maybe the magenta/green cast was due to expired film?

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Congratulations Orio! Wow, you have great results here imho.

skida · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:32 am Post subject:

yinyangbt · Expire: 2012-12-27

Very good results , Orio !
Congratulations !
I hope I'll be able to do it myself some day too .

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Very good results Orio, well done. You've made me think about trying it for myself.

About the temperature control, do you think a fish tank heater and thermostat might be useful?

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Thank guys
@ Peter: I have a CPE2 Plus developing tank, which so far I used only for warming up B&W baths. In this case I also used the rotational mechanism.
I don't think I would have been able to obtain such acceptable results without this tank to control the temperature.
The overheat problem was the consequence of my wrong choice only. Next time I'll follow the indications strictly.

peterqd · Expire: 2014-01-04

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Ah, now I understand. I don't know... I am not familiar with fish tanks, sorry.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18