Chemistry for processing C-41

Greetings. I’m seriously considering purchasing a Jobo CPP3 for processing color sheet film. Currently I’m researching C-41 chemistry options. Freestyle photo is the only source that I’m aware of for C-41 chemistry. I’m looking for opinions as to what works good and where to buy. Thanks in advance.

~Bruce

Hi Bruce, I have used Freestyle for C41 and RA4 chemistry for quite awhile and always had good results. They have been selling the stuff for many decades. Good luck!

-Bruce

Bruce, C-41 chemistry is available from a variety of sources. Freestyle is great, but BH photo and Adorama sell it also. If you check Amazon, there are a number of options. ---jb

I have used the 1 liter Unicolor kit with the Jobo processor for years with great suscess. I develop up to 16 rolls per kit and I develop them all in two to three days.

I have a question about this Flexicolor C-41 developer from Freestyle: what's inside the box? Three giant A-B-C bottles to make 20L all at once, or several smaller A-B-C sets, so I can mix smaller quantities like 5L?

The unicolor kit is good for easily starting your first few rolls and seeing if C41 is right for you. Results are comparable to a good photo lab as long as you are careful with your process.

If you’re in the us or canada I recommend kodak Flexicolor because it’s much cheaper per roll and I’ve gotten the best results,. You have to commit to about $150 upfront in chemicals but refilling dev/stop/bleach/fix individually is the way to go.

Although freestyle is local and prices are highly competitive, I’ve mostly bought from Pakor and Unique photo. For developer, the smallest quantity I was able to get from Freestyle was 20 liters. Since I always open, mix, and store entire quantities in wine bags, I preferred the 5L-10L kits.

At least that was last July. @btaylor maybe you know more about what they’ve had available over a longer stretch of time.

@Steven Lee no, it’s a single set of bottles. Unless you want to do partial mixes (I don’t), you mix it all.

@peoplemerge thank you!

Bruce, it would be benefitial for such a request if you would say where in the world you are located. Your reference of Freestyle Photo makes one think of the USA, but this is not clear.

I usually get my C-41 chemistry at the Film Photography Project Store. Their 1-liter kit is currently about $33 US. Shipping is usually very cheap in the US.

Unique / Flexicolor prices
Dev 5L $16
Bleach 20L $45
Fix 25L $13
Final rinse 10L $10

So for a total of $84, assuming a batch of 1 roll in a Jobo 1510 using 140ml, one shot developer and fin rin, but replenishing bleach and fix (69ml per 35mm 36 exp), you have a capacity of:
Dev: 35 rolls
Bleach: 289 rolls
Fix: 362 rolls
Final rinse: 40 rolls

Note that you don’t have to 1-shot the dev. Most of us do because the results are sensational, better than any lab, it’s been said. I usually buy 2x10L dev so I always have some on hand.

In reality, you will usually process more than one roll at a time and save some chemicals.

If you are considering investing in a Jobo CPP3, as you can see it pays for itself pretty quickly. Do it!

Edit: corrected volume and math. Also wanted to mention, for my final rinse, I also use 250ml per session whether I process 1 roll or to, actually 500ml if I’m processing 120 film, removing the reel prior so it doesn’t get gummed up over time.

AgX said:

Bruce, it would be benefitial for such a request if you would say where in the world you are located. Your reference of Freestyle Photo makes one think of the USA, but this is not clear.

Click to expand...

Very true. I had not even thought about that. I am in southern New England. Thanks for the advice.

peoplemerge said:

Unique / Flexicolor prices
Dev 5L $16
Bleach 20L $45
Fix 25L $13
Final rinse 10L $10

So for a total of $84, assuming a batch of 1 roll in a Jobo 1510 using 140ml, one shot developer and fin rin, but replenishing bleach and fix (69ml per 35mm 36 exp), you have a capacity of:
Dev: 35 rolls
Bleach: 289 rolls
Fix: 362 rolls
Final rinse: 40 rolls

Note that you don’t have to 1-shot the dev. Most of us do because the results are sensational, better than any lab, it’s been said. I usually buy 2x10L dev so I always have some on hand.

In reality, you will usually process more than one roll at a time and save some chemicals.

If you are considering investing in a Jobo CPP3, as you can see it pays for itself pretty quickly. Do it!

Edit: corrected volume and math. Also wanted to mention, for my final rinse, I also use 250ml per session whether I process 1 roll or to, actually 500ml if I’m processing 120 film, removing the reel prior so it doesn’t get gummed up over time.

Click to expand...

Most of what I will be processing will be 4x10 and 8x10 sheet film. I anticipate developing 120 roll film as well in the near future. Now I need to calculate the amount of chemistry required for both 4x10 and 8x10 film. Thanks for the numbers. This validates the purchase of the Job as a worthy investment.

~Bruce

In the U.K., you may be hamstrung by import restrictions. Can’t say that Kodak is ideal. At least in Europe Tetenal bought from Photoimpex is popular.
Edit: I reread your reply to see you're in New England, not somewhere in southern Scotland, I had somehow conjected!

peoplemerge said:

If you are considering investing in a Jobo CPP3, as you can see it pays for itself pretty quickly. Do it!

Click to expand...

How much should the OP expect to pay for one and what might the payback be in terms of months or years BH seems to want almost $4,000. Is this a payback against the cost of using a professional lab or one against the cost of say a Sous Vide type heater and water bath?

Thanks

pentaxuser

Compared to sous vide, about 50% reduction in the most expensive component, the developer. Also less time/energy/effort.

peoplemerge said:

Compared to sous vide, about 50% reduction in the most expensive component, the developer. Also less time/energy/effort.

Click to expand...

Thanks I suppose what's key here is how many films are likely to be developed over a lifetime as on that depends developer use. It was just that $4000 seemed a lot of money compared to the cost in even the medium term of developer when peoplemerge quoted $16 for developer for 35 rolls

pentaxuser

Fair point. I paid about $1200 for a CPA2 from Catlabs some years back, and it's become a more important/cherished tool than any of my cameras. When I do a lot of shooting, I process maybe 8 rolls or sheets a week, alternating b/w and color. Also I take on work (example - a friend who accumulated 350 rolls in his career he never processed). The reality is that the mess caused by sous vide makes it kinda unsustainable, in my case at least. Also requires much more attention. As people get older, they find it easier to put a value on their time. On a wall clock, it doesn't really change, but having all your chemicals in one organized place, fewer spills, agitation totally taken care of... I couldn't imagine doing a pretty high volume of processing without it. OP processing ULF... how would that work with a sous vide, in a cooler using BTZS tubes? In the large, I figure we do a good thing for the community by encourage the purchase of Jobo equipment.

berarthbun said:

Greetings. I’m seriously considering purchasing a Jobo CPP3 for processing color sheet film. Currently I’m researching C-41 chemistry options. Freestyle photo is the only source that I’m aware of for C-41 chemistry. I’m looking for opinions as to what works good and where to buy. Thanks in advance.

~Bruce

Click to expand...

ci vous plait:

CatLABS said:

ci vous plait:

CatLABS

Large format cameras, lenses, film holders, darkroom equipment, Jobo sales and service. We carry large format cameras and lenses, Jobo machines,...

www.catlabs.info

Click to expand...

Thanks!

I'll add another recommendation for the Kodak Flexicolor C-41 chemistry. All of the chemicals, including the mixed developer, have extremely good shelf stability. I've been able to develop control strips that were still "in process" with developer working solution that was several months old. The per-roll cost of the Flexicolor chemistry is also lower than any of the other kits, primarily because you end up buying a lot of bleach and fixer up front, and these last you a long time.

Regarding the purchase of a Jobo, I think they're great machines. I have a lowly CPE-2 Plus with lift that has served me well for several years developing everything from 135 to 8x10. My only suggestion to you would be to first consider one of the older machines. Simply put: They're going to save you a lot of money. A CPE-2 or CPA-2 (with lift) could probably be gotten for less than $1,000. A CPP-2 could be had for a little more, but honestly, while the additional features it has are nice (e.g., cold water solenoid, slightly better temperature accuracy, digital temperature display, etc.), they aren't necessary. I added an inexpensive aquarium pump to my CPE-2 to facilitate constant circulation and purchased a good quality lab thermometer, and those have basically accomplished the same jobs as the more useful features of the CPP-2.