C41 Stab = E6 Stab

EASmithV · Apr 6, 2012

http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/kodak_c41_stabilizer_replenisher_iii/kp02858

Read somewhere that they are the same... If so, can I use the above as a stabilizer for the Arista 3 bath E6 kit?

Athiril · Apr 6, 2012

Kodak Stabiliser III you can, yes, it's 37% formaldehyde in water with methanol. PE also says it contains some photoflo.

EASmithV · Apr 6, 2012

YES! thank you!

EASmithV · Apr 6, 2012

Wait, Do I have to mix it all up as 5 gallons or can I just mix a partial amount of the bottle?

Athiril · Apr 6, 2012

Partial amount, as you need it.

EASmithV · Apr 11, 2012

Just got some. How long does it last in an opened bottle?

Mike Wilde · Apr 12, 2012

Ages. What is formaldehyde good for? Preserving organic material from degradation.

nworth · Apr 12, 2012

As you can see below, the positive and negative stabilizers are nearly the same. The negative (C-41) one has a bit more formaldehyde.

Kodak S-16 stabilizer
Used in Process VNF-1 for Ektachrome color reversal motion picture film
Water (21 27C) 800 ml
Kodak Stabilizer Additive 0.14ml
Formaldehyde (37%) 3.5 ml
Water to make 1 l
Treat film for 30 seconds at 35C.
Note: Kodak stabilizer additive contains polyethylene 12 tridecyl alcohol.

Not quite the same as E-6 stabilizer, but close.

C-41 stabilizer
This was listed as the semi-official formula for the Kodak C-41 process
Water 800 ml
Formaldehyde (38%) 5 ml
Kodak MX812 0.8 ml (wetting agent)
Water to make 1 l
Ref: Dignan Photographic Newsletter, July 1974

Photo Engineer · Apr 12, 2012

The stabilizing additive and wetting agents are virtually identical and are equivalent to Photo Flo 200.

In E6 films and in older C41 films, the Formalin served two purposes. First, it was a biostat that reacted partly with gelatin and remained in the coating for a long long time, killing microorganisms. The second, and main purpose was that it reacted with leftover coupler and linked it together with itself in a bond called a methylene bridge. This prevented serious dye fade. That latter problem has been solved in modern C41 films, but has not in E6 films due to lack of R&D.

PE

EASmithV · Apr 13, 2012

Thanks NWorth, Ron

Photo Engineer · Apr 13, 2012

I am preparing a lengthy and hopefully definitive post on stabilizers. I am working on it.

PE

C41 Stab = E6 Stab

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