Bleach III canned?

nickandre · Sep 18, 2008

I ordered some new C41 chemistry sept 1st from adorama, it was half backordered. Got the RA4 stuff, but the C41 was on backorder. I just got an email saying that Bleach III one gallon size has been discontinued. Is this correct? It's still in stock at B&H but they can't ship it.

Should I buy the Dead Link Removed I didn't think bleach expired, does it? It might take years to go through that. I've also been told that no bleach needs a starter. Adorama says it does but they don't know anything. Does this one?

Photo Engineer · Sep 18, 2008

Bleach III will not go bad under normal keeping for at least 1 - 2 years or more.

I'm surprised at this. WOW.

PE

Lopaka · Sep 18, 2008

Per discussions in a recent thread, the one gallon Bleach III has been discontinued. A few dealers may still have some inventory. The suggested replacement is Flexicolor SM tank bleach cat #8624690. Comes in a box with 2 bottles ready to use totaling 5.4 liters. According to Adorama, this item has also been discontinued, although it is still referenced on Kodak's site, while the 1 gallon is not. Perhaps it is just no longer being shipped separately and only available as part of the SM kit (F2, containing bleach and fix).

As for the 12.5 gallon - requires part A, part B and starter to make a tank solution. Total cost approx $210 plus shipping. In a recent conversation with Adorama, I pointed out that they didn't list the Part B, the rep replied that he wasn't familiar with the technical specifications of the product.

It is indeed getting more and more difficult.

Bob

Photo Engineer · Sep 18, 2008

Yeah, I commented on this earlier.

Bleach III originally came in one bottle and now 2.

In addition, my research on it last week showed that the 1 gallon kit was still available. How quick. How odd.

PE

epatsellis · Sep 19, 2008

interesting, I just ordered (and received) 4 gallons of bleach III from a distributor my local minilab uses, at about 1/2 the price adorama charges. I guess I'll be buying the 12.5 gallon when I run low (though with aerations and regeneration, should be a while)

nickandre · Sep 19, 2008

Lopaka said:
The suggested replacement is Flexicolor SM tank bleach cat #8624690. Comes in a box with 2 bottles ready to use totaling 5.4 liters.

Where might I order this? Does Kodak ship chemistry directly? Can I use a different dilution of the RA4 stuff I already have?

I might try to make my own. Does anyone have a rehalogenating bleach formula?

Photo Engineer · Sep 19, 2008

Here: http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof.../filmC41main.jhtml?id=0.2.24.14.18.14.5&lc=en

Kodak still indicates that C41 chemistry is available in 1 gallon kit size. The page is slightly different than I saw a week or so ago when looking up the bleach III, but it is still available according to EK. I also checked last weekend with a local dealer, and they told me that the 1 gallon kits were still available and that they had ordered some just recently for a local school.

Kodak will not ship directly. You can special order at their employee store, but IDK if anyone can do that. The prices are not better than other places either and you have to wait just as long for a special order.

Use Ammonium Bromide to rehal the bleach and bubble air through it to oxidize it. The real problem is that the chelating agent is used up as is the sulfite so you really have to make 4 changes along with pH adjustments.

PE

AgX · Sep 19, 2008

PE,

What do you mean by "4 changes"?

Photo Engineer · Sep 19, 2008

1. Halide adjust
2. Oxidation
3. Chelating agent adjust
4. Sulfite level adjust

Final pH adjust to compensate for all of the above.

So, technically it is 5, but the last is the result of the first 4 and may not be needed.

PE

Lopaka · Sep 19, 2008

tiberiustibz said:
Where might I order this?

This is the only place I have found so far that will ship it:

http://www.pakor.com/products/KODAK...90_444-1117.cfm?CFID=3119098&CFTOKEN=64627647

FilmIs4Ever · Sep 20, 2008

Guys, you seriously need to jump ship and go with Trebla if you have to buy a kit 12 1/2 times too large.

Trebla was founded by Kodak expatriates so they mix their chemistry as consistently as Kodak does.

Also, Kodak no longer manufactures their own chemistry. For insurance purposes I think, they have a third party do it for them in their own facility.

This comes straight from the top, my dealer in Rochester who buys straight from Kodak told me all of this.

If you are buying from B&H, Adorama, or another big-box company and not a chemistry distributor who is getting supplied directly from Kodak, you're paying too much anyway because you are dealing with a middle-man.

Jerry Thirsty · Sep 21, 2008

Lopaka said:
This is the only place I have found so far that will ship it:

http://www.pakor.com/products/KODAK...90_444-1117.cfm?CFID=3119098&CFTOKEN=64627647

If I understand correctly, you need a business account with Pakor to buy from them, right? No option to just check-out online with a credit card.

epatsellis · Sep 21, 2008

Adorama and Calumet both ship as well.

PHOTOTONE · Sep 22, 2008

epatsellis said:
Adorama and Calumet both ship as well.

I don't think they are dealers for Trebla chemistry which is marketed directly to mini-labs. Armadillo Photo Supply in Texas is where I used to get mine, but I am a photographer with an in-house lab.

I use Trebla E-6 bleach, but that is all. All the Trebla chemicals are interchangeable with Kodak, they say.

Neal · Sep 22, 2008

Dear Jerry,

I purchase from Pakor without a business account. Unfortunately, you have to call them to make purchases using a credit card.

Neal Wydra

Lopaka · Sep 22, 2008

Neal said:
Dear Jerry,

I purchase from Pakor without a business account. Unfortunately, you have to call them to make purchases using a credit card.

Neal Wydra

Yes, the phone call is needed - a 'business' account is not. Their service is quite satisfactory, but the website is not reflective of current inventory or availability.

Bob

domaz · Sep 22, 2008

Trebla sounds interesting what kind of small quantity kits/chemicals do they offer? Everything in 1 gallon sizes?

srs5694 · Sep 22, 2008

FWIW, Photo Systems Inc. is an eBay seller that sells various color chemicals. I've dealt with them in the past with no problems.

Bleach III canned?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency