Developing many rolls of 120mm at a time (c41)

Kuby · Sep 11, 2017

Hello,

Do any of you develop large amounts of C-41 at a time with good results, in a jobo? Is there any consensus as to whether this risks a degradation in quality, or an increase in development problems?

I used to develop 8 rolls at a time with moderate results. I was making other errors in development at the time (reusing blix, among other things). I changed several different things in my development process, including moving from 8 rolls at once to 2. My development now seems to have gained some consistency, and I'm curious if I should risk going back to doing a high number of rolls, as it would significantly save on time.

Thanks

Sirius Glass · Sep 11, 2017

I have put two rolls on each reel using the red stop until I had rolls overlap. I have not put two rolls per reel since then.

Kuby · Sep 11, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I have put two rolls on each reel using the red stop until I had rolls overlap. I have not put two rolls per reel since then.

Hmm. I have never had issues with overlap. The red stoppers seem to work for me. I had streaks on my film and other such problems when developing many at one time in the past. Wondering if others have managed to do many and avoid issues.

AgX · Sep 12, 2017

I do not see a problem in using extention tube(s) and stacking reels.

Ed Sawyer · Sep 12, 2017

4 rolls at a time in a phototherm, ends taped together (2 x 120 on one patterson reel), works fine for me.

Kuby · Sep 13, 2017

Thanks all. Maybe time to give batch developing another go.

Mick Fagan · Sep 13, 2017

I found the sweet spot for C41 with it's extremely short developing time using a Jobo, is to use the 1540 tank. I have developed bigger amounts of film by adding another extender, but with the really short C41 developing time, I had issues getting the solution in and out once you are using more than 500ml of solution.

This was with 135 format and double loading reels for 2 x 120 films per reel allowing 4 rolls at a time.

Mick.

Kuby · Sep 16, 2017

Mick Fagan said:
I found the sweet spot for C41 with it's extremely short developing time using a Jobo, is to use the 1540 tank. I have developed bigger amounts of film by adding another extender, but with the really short C41 developing time, I had issues getting the solution in and out once you are using more than 500ml of solution.

This was with 135 format and double loading reels for 2 x 120 films per reel allowing 4 rolls at a time.

Mick.

Interesting. I've been doing 2 at a time and I'd really live to be able to do more, with comfort of consistency. 8 seems overboard And, I agree, using ~1000ml, it's hard to get the chem in and out with any speed.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 17, 2017

Kuby said:
Hello,

Do any of you develop large amounts of C-41 at a time with good results, in a jobo? Is there any consensus as to whether this risks a degradation in quality, or an increase in development problems?

I used to develop 8 rolls at a time with moderate results. I was making other errors in development at the time (reusing blix, among other things). I changed several different things in my development process, including moving from 8 rolls at once to 2. My development now seems to have gained some consistency, and I'm curious if I should risk going back to doing a high number of rolls, as it would significantly save on time.

Thanks

Jobo souls take two 120s at a time and it works ell for me(I do it in B&W though).

AgX · Sep 20, 2017

Mick Fagan said:
I found the sweet spot for C41 with it's extremely short developing time using a Jobo, is to use the 1540 tank. I have developed bigger amounts of film by adding another extender, but with the really short C41 developing time, I had issues getting the solution in and out once you are using more than 500ml of solution.

I such case the remedy should be to stop processing befor the given time to compensate for the extended emptying time.
Thus the fillm will be wetted by the succeeding bath the same time as if in a small tank.

This should gurantee equal results for all processing jobs, small or large in volume.

Kuby · Sep 28, 2017

AgX said:
I such case the remedy should be to stop processing befor the given time to compensate for the extended emptying time.
Thus the fillm will be wetted by the succeeding bath the same time as if in a small tank.

This should gurantee equal results for all processing jobs, small or large in volume.

It's an interesting point. Thanks AgX

Light Capture · Sep 28, 2017

AgX said:
I such case the remedy should be to stop processing befor the given time to compensate for the extended emptying time.
Thus the fillm will be wetted by the succeeding bath the same time as if in a small tank.

This should gurantee equal results for all processing jobs, small or large in volume.

Jobo Autolab processors empty tanks around 15 seconds before the end of the time in order to compensate for over development.

15 seconds is probably a good starting point.

John Salim · Sep 29, 2017

... 120mm ( 4 3/4 inch roll film ).... what on Earth is that ?

John S

Developing many rolls of 120mm at a time (c41)

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