C41 E6 processing with nitrogen burst

bascom49

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• Jan 22, 2017

• #1

Thanks to a fellow APUG member and a previous lucky find, I have complete nitrogen burst systems for 4x5 and 8x10 and reels. This is for my black and white processing but I am considering c41 and E6. I am fairly certain that with the water bath, heater, and circulation that temperature will be in spec. My question is how to figure out the burst interval for proper development.

Any advice, opinion, and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Charles

 

mshchem

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• Jan 22, 2017

• #2

Look for the old Kodak data books for exact procedure "Gaseous-Burst Agitation in Processing," Kodak Pamphlet No. E-57. I'm no expert. I do know that you should use air for the bleach as it needs to be aerated. You are going to need a LOT of film to process to make this work. Replenishment and keeping track of the solutions. It is really cool set up but these are designed for large volume commercial operations in the good old days. Best Mike

 

railwayman3

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• Jan 22, 2017

• #3

I can remember seeing this equipment in use at a colour neg lab in the 1970's which served local photo shops and pharmacies, mostly before mini-labs. Although it was not (as labs went then) a particularly big operation, the throughput was amazing. There was a paper processing line running 6 rolls of paper at many feet-per-minute to keep up with 4 or 5 printing machines, with a night shift in the busier seasons of holidays and Christmas to ensure next-day-return to customers.

 

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bascom49

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• Jan 22, 2017

• #4

Thanks for the replies. Advice in terms of production required seriously noted.

I have a Durst 5108 8x10 enlarger with color head and have been researching RA4 processing. The economics of processing 10 sheets of 8x10 color negative at a time and printing at home vs lap processing and scanning may have an economic benefit.

 

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bascom49

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• Jan 22, 2017

• #5

I did find processing instructions in the Compact Photo Lab Index for E6 Ektachrome:
Only manual agitation for roll film on reels.
Gaseous burst agitation is recommended for sheet films
Nitrogen used for the first and color developer must be humidified
Use a 2 second burst every 10 seconds.

How would one humidify nitrogen gas ?