Accurate heater for C-41?

EASmithV · Jul 30, 2009

Hey all, I was just wondering if any of you could suggest a place where I can get a water heater to do some C-41. I don't care if it is a fish tank heater or something, but I do want it to give an accurate, stable temperature. Any suggestions?

Ian Grant · Jul 30, 2009

The C41 dev time is so short it's extremely easy to maintain with just a bowl of hot water, and a kettle full of boiling water if needed. Yes you can use a goldfish bowl heater with a built in thermostat as well but it isn't really necessary.

Ian

darkosaric · Jul 30, 2009

If you do C41 or E6 developing home - you really must have this (relatively) high temperature? Is it possible to develop on lower temperature (like 27deg Celsius) and develop longer? I never done it, but my friend is thinking of it, and probably we will try it together soon.

thanks

AlexG · Jul 30, 2009

I used to be so nervous when I first started c41 because I was afraid that if my temperature was not EXACT, the roll would be ruined. I was like this until I accidentally forgot to reheat the developer after i had to go answer the door. There was probably a 5~7 degree temp difference than what the manual stated but the film still looked good. The color did shift abit but it was easy to change the color back to normal with enlarger color filtration.

Like Ian said above, you really dont need a heater as long as you have some hot water you can dip the tank in.

Ian Grant · Jul 30, 2009

The 38°C temperature is very easy to maintain, I used to do a lot of E6 processing at home, 2 bowls one with the chemistry, the other for the dev tank.

Don't get put off by thinking it's going to be difficult, C41 & E6 are really easy, you should have tried some of the older processes, I started with Ferrania and that was a nightmare

Ian

Alan Johnson · Jul 30, 2009

I have a Novatronic heater from the UK and a small submersible fish tank pump.
Generally aquarium heaters will not reach the required temperature.
www.novadarkroom.com/product/346/Novatronic_Heater.html

darkosaric · Jul 30, 2009

Do you recommend that I buy separate developing tank for E6 (I have one for B&W of course), so that I don't mix tanks, just to avoid chemistry mixing in case I don't wash it good? Or it makes no sense ?

keithwms · Jul 30, 2009

I use food service warmers ("bains"). These are inexpensive and work very well.

If you have a large enough volume of chems then you don't need constant heat adjustment. I find the bains useful because they have a large volume and have a setting that gets me to the right temp quickly.

Peter De Smidt · Jul 30, 2009

I recommend the Won Pro Titanium heater. See: http://www.wonbrothers.com/product/heater/icheater.htm Very sturdy,heats well, and isn't expensive. Rheostat is on the end of the cord. Combine this with a small submersible pump, and a good sized plastic container, and you'll be set.

Ian Grant · Jul 30, 2009

darkosaric said:
Do you recommend that I buy separate developing tank for E6 (I have one for B&W of course), so that I don't mix tanks, just to avoid chemistry mixing in case I don't wash it good? Or it makes no sense ?

No need, just use the same tank.

You've always got to wash a tank well regardless of the process.

Ian

darkosaric · Jul 30, 2009

Ian Grant said:
No need, just use the same tank.

You've always got to wash a tank well regardless of the process.

Ian

ok. thanks

kodachrome64 · Jul 30, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8300: BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.282 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I agree it is much easier than I thought. And I find C41 to be quicker than B&W due to the short dev time and relatively quick blixing. Do not be afraid to do it with a bowl of hot water.

E6 is similarly not difficult but does require a bit tighter tolerances, since color can't be corrected later (for the most part). That and you have an extra developer, but otherwise it's pretty easy too.

nworth · Jul 30, 2009

The local pet store. Fish tank heaters with built in thermostats work fine. You will, however, have to set it using a good thermometer. Once set, they seem to be quite stable.

BetterSense · Jul 31, 2009

I just tore apart a micro-fridge that I never used and harvested the thermoelectric element. I plan to make a system to heat and cool the water, since with thermoelectrics, you can change it from heat mode to cool mode just by switching the current direction.

Accurate heater for C-41?

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