C-41 film can be developed with D-76 or similar:

[paulfish4570]

did I read that in this forum? If true, is it in a sticky or other forum source?
Or did I read that BW400CN can be developed in standard black and white soup?
Thanks ahead of time.

 

[markbarendt]

You can but it's much better in C-41 chemicals.

 

[paulfish4570]

Thanks. It's not that I am being cheap; I just wanted to try it if results are acceptable.
I think I'll get the drugstore to develop the film, then scan it myself ...

 

[dehk]

Its not that its too thin,its the orange/brown dye on it makes it a little too dark. But of course, you won't get as nice tonality as true bw film.

 

[2F/2F]

It will make an image, but it will not be "normal." You are better off using a true b/w film (i.e. non-color-based, like XP2 or BW400CN) if you have D-76 developer on hand.

 

[Relayer]

you can process C41 film as B&W. but negatives will be very "dark" because mask etc. I use next sequence of extra steps for clearing mask:
1) 3min in next bleach
CuSO4 100g
NaCl 100g
H2SO4 25ml
Water 1l
2) 3min in Potassium Dichromate bleach
Potassium Dichromate 12g
H2SO4 10ml
Water 1l
3) process in any high contrast developer like D-19 etc

 

[AgX]

Well, you can use maskless C-41 film.
But still then the silver image is only designed as an intermediary for the dye image.

 

[Domin]

Well, you can use maskless C-41 film.
But still then the silver image is only designed as an intermediary for the dye image.

Even if maskless it might have silver anti-halation layer. In the films I've seen unbleached it looked brown. Just the color to mess with variable contrast paper.

 

[AgX]

It rather would not be the AH layer but the yellow filter. But not all yellow filter layers are based on silver.

 

[ann]

several years ago i had a student with very strange looking negatives, magenta to be a good description. After a lot of questions and only by luck did i discover they had developed a c-41 film in Hc110. They were printable, but I don't remember the quality of the print, too many students and too many years ago for that fact.

 

[2F/2F]

Same here, Ann. It happens all the time in educational institutions – probably at least two or three times per semester where I work (out of 600+ students). Negs are printable, but not normal. Prints are grainy and contrasty (and, of course, not color). I guess to or three out of 600 who cannot bother to read the syllabus and film cassettes, or pay attention to their instructor in class is not too bad......

I am not saying you shouldn't do it...just that you shouldn't do it and expect normal looking prints.

 

[Removed Account2]

Back to topic

I process C41 film to black and white all the time with very good results.

I use Caffenol homebrew developer. Theres a forum for that on APUG where I have discussed this at length.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I won't repeat myself here, as I understand Caffenol is not for everyone...

But trust me it will work. One thing: you dont print C41 films, you scan them, so learn to use digital negatives as well....

A tidbit I recently developed a long forgotten Kodacolor X in the brew and got images!

 

[Rick A]

I've developed a few rolls in Dektol with fair results. It comes out a little contrastier than with D-76, prints okay on grade three or four paper.

 

[markbarendt]

One thing: you dont print C41 films, you scan them

Says who?

You may not print them, but there are many of us who do and C-41 films print beautifully on enlargers.