E-6 and C-41 Chemistry Options in US

AlbertZeroK · Feb 15, 2011

Okay, I'm looking to start developing E-6 and C-41 at home. While I'm temped to try Wal-Mart, the processing turn around time of 2+ weeks is a bit much for me.

So what chemistry options, other than from FreeStylePhoto.biz do I have in the US? I'm willing to purchase from the EU or UK (is that redundant??) Anyways, what are people doing here in the US? I would prefer something fresh with a long shelf life (wouldn't we all?)

Thoughts?

nhemann · Feb 15, 2011

If you can find an actual camera shop, i.e not walmart and the like, that still has a developing machine, they generally do a very nice job and C-41 is cheap. I can get develop-only rolls done for just a few bucks. Luckily, my place us just up the road.

Athiril · Feb 15, 2011

Home processing colour film is extremely satisfying.

AlbertZeroK · Feb 15, 2011

The closest lab that does E-6 and C-41 is an hour and a half away, and they will stop processing this summer, so it's not really an option. I can send out through Rite Aid or Wal-Mart, but it's a 2 week turn around time and I have no control over the process - and I'm stuck with Fuji's Lab in SC which can't seem to follow special processing instructions on the envelope. If I mail away the film, it's 2 weeks plus the cost of postage. I use E-Six in GA for some stuff, but rarely. Plus what's the use of having a Jobo, if you can't use it!

guyjr · Feb 15, 2011

Kodak's E-6 & C-41 chemistry is still available in the U.S., although not in quantities that are convenient for home users. Photographer's Formulary has split up the Kodak C-41 into smaller kits that they sell, and Freestyle is importing the Rollei / Compard C-41 kits (which are just Fuji C-41 kits repackaged / split up).

I checked into getting one of the 6 bath Fuji E-6 kits from ag-photographic.co.uk, and it is hella expensive to bring into the U.S. - around $225 shipped for a 5L kit. Even so, that probably works out to about $8 - $10 / roll if you do one shot, less if you stretch out the mixed chemistry. It doesn't look like Maco stocks the Fuji 6 bath E-6 kit, otherwise I'd just order from them (their shipping rates are a bit cheaper).

John Meyer · Feb 15, 2011

Try getting a hold of a mini lab supplier in your area first, then search one out
nationally.Their are a few photo labs out their that will ship chemicals allso,
Photoland in WI. did at one time.. Go to the the people that use them and ask them to direct you..
Hopefully you can find one in your area so you can pick them up, so you dont have shipping charges. For E6 ,recently a 10 L list was made on APUG ,copy it and send it to a supplier.
Personally i think APUG should try and get a photo lab supplier as a sponsor. It would help keep film alive, for what good is film if you cant get it processed.
Last, dont count on any major photo store except maybe Freestyle, they all have gone digital. Try a thread search for oher comments about chemical supplies..
Good luck, John

hpulley · Feb 15, 2011

I use the Tetenal Press Kit for home use. I have the 1L kit but 2L is also available. They're powder so are airmail and even carry on safe. Freestyle and B&H have them, maybe Adorama too. I'm 18 or 19 rolls into my 1L kit, still going strong.

markbarendt · Feb 16, 2011

Places to check.

http://www.libertyphotoproducts.com/catalog/Minilab-Onsite-Finisher,3.htm

http://204.8.121.79/techbullfilmpac401.asp

http://www.dillostore.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=201-FP475&eq=&Tp=

Tony-S · Feb 16, 2011

Athiril said:
Home processing colour film is extremely satisfying.

Yeah, but trying to buy the chemicals isn't. I wonder why it's so difficult for the companies to keep the production levels up?

hpulley · Feb 16, 2011

I suspect it is actually the opposite problem, low demand overall though it sounds like it must have picked up on the small scale recently with B&H out of stock. Home use is small compared to labs who run a fraction of what they used to due to digital.

Tony-S said:
Yeah, but trying to buy the chemicals isn't. I wonder why it's so difficult for the companies to keep the production levels up?

AlbertZeroK · Feb 16, 2011

Thanks guys for all the wonderful ideas! I think I'll use the E-6 Kit from Free Style, but that FilmPAC sounds like the perfect solution for C-41. I think it will make me shoot more C-41 than E-6 ... well, okay, maybe not.

E-6 and C-41 Chemistry Options in US

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