E-6 color reversal development: Fuji recipes?

[Heinz_Anderle]

It might be of interest for those who want to prepare their own E-6 solutions from raw chemicals that Fuji Photo Film discloses in their US Patent 6,720,134 (about Provia 400X) the exact composition of such solutions. There are some noteworthy differences to the E-6 recipes given by Derek Watkins (www.opie.net/orphy/photo/dr/wkft-e6.html not only in the replacement of sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon) by Nitrilo-N,N,N-trimethylene phosphonic acid pentasodium salt, but also a higher concentrated and differently composed first developer with a shorter development time (4 min instead of 6 min given for the Fuji Hunt E-6 process manual).

Of particular relevance is the reversal bath which is based on the non-hazardous stannous chloride (SnCl2) dihydrate instead of sodium borohydride. Watkins proposes a reversal exposure step which might be more practicable for sheet film than for 120 or 135 format.

Washing appears to be done with water.

Accurate thermostatization and a pH-meter with proper calibration buffers are as essential as a good laboratory balance; if an analytical balance with 1 mg resolution is not available, higher concentrated stock solutions might be prepared and the appropriate volume dosed with a graduated pipet or cylinder. Use a pipetting aid and never pipet with the mouth, wear a laboratory coat, closed shoes, gloves and protective eyewear always when working with solid alkali reagents and alkaline solutions (carbonates, phosphates, hydroxides), acids (acetic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid) and all the other organic chemicals (developers, stabilizers, formaldehyde etc.), have washing bottles or tap water ready to wash off spilled chemicals from skin and clothing, keep the darkroom clean, well ventilated and do not inhale vapors - I am a chemist and know about the risks, dangers and hazards. Phenylenediamine-based color developers can induce allergies. Solid sulfites will develop toxic sulfur dioxide vapor upon contact with concentrated acids. Always add concentrated acid slowly into the water.

I am really tempted to try large format photography...

Always work at your own risk, but have fun!

Processing Tempera
Step Time ture volume
1st development 4 min 38° C. 37 L
1st washing 2 min 38° C. 16 L
Reversal 2 min 38° C. 17 L
Color development 6 min 38° C. 30 L
Pre-bleaching 2 min 38° C. 19 L
Bleaching 6 min 38° C. 30 L
Fixing 4 min 38° C. 29 L
2nd washing 4 min 38° C. 35 L
Final rinsing 1 min 25° C. 19 L

The compositions of the processing solutions were as follows.
< 1st developer>
Nitrilo-N,N,N-trimethylene 1.5 g
phosphonic acid ·
pentasodium salt
Diethylenetriamine 2.0 g
pentaacetic acid ·
pentasodium salt
Sodium sulfite 30 g
Hydroquinone potassium 20 g
monosulfonate
Potassium carbonate 15 g
Potassium bicarbonate 12 g
1-phenyl-4-methyl-4- 2.5 g
hydroxymethyl-3-
pyrazolidone
Potassium bromide 2.5 g
Potassium thiocyanate 1.2 g
Potassium iodide 2.0 mg
Diethyleneglycol 13 g
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 9.60

The pH was adjusted by sulfuric acid or potassium hydroxide.


< Reversal solution>
Nitrilo-N,N,N-trimethylene 3.0 g
phosphonic acid
pentasodium salt
Stannous chloride dihydrate 1.0 g
p-aminophenol 0.1 g
Sodium hydroxide 8 g
Glacial acetic acid 15 mL
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 6.00

The pH was adjusted by acetic acid or sodium hydroxide.


< Color developer>
Nitrilo-N,N,N-trimethylene 2.0 g
phosphonic acid ·
pentasodium salt
Sodium sulfite 7.0 g
Trisodium phosphate · 36 g
dodecahydrate
Potassium bromide 1.0 g
Potassium iodide 90 mg
Sodium hydroxide 12.0 g
Citrazinic acid 0.5 g
N-ethyl-N-(ß-methanesulfon 10 g
amidoethyl)-3-methyl-4
aminoaniline · 3/2 sulfuric
acid · monohydrate (CD3)
3,6-dithiaoctane-1,8-diol 1.0 g
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 11.80

The pH was adjusted by sulfuric acid or potassium hydroxide.


< Pre-bleaching solution>
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 8.0 g
acid · disodium salt ·
dihydrate
Sodium sulfite 6.0 g
1-thioglycerol 0.4 g
Formaldehyde sodium 30 g
bisulfite adduct
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 6.30

The pH was adjusted by acetic acid or sodium hydroxide.


< Bleaching solution>
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 2.0 g
acid·disodium salt·
dihydrate
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 120 g
acid·Fe(III)·ammonium·
dihydrate
Potassium bromide 100 g
Ammonium nitrate 10 g
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 5.70

The pH was adjusted by nitric acid or sodium hydroxide.


< Fixing solution>
Ammonium thiosulfate 80 g
Sodium sulfite 5.0 g
Sodium bisulfite 5.0 g
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 6.60

The pH was adjusted by acetic acid or ammonia water.


< Stabilizer>
1,2-benzoisothiazoline-3-one 0.02 g
Polyoxyethylene-p-monononyl 0.3 g
phenylether (note: Nonoxynol, a detergent)
(average polymerization degree = 10)
Polymaleic acid 0.1 g
(average molecular weight = 2,000)
Water to make 1,000 mL
pH 7.0

 

[Photo Engineer]

Heinz, these are basically the Kodak formulas. Kodak uses stannous chloride and has for over 20 years. The calgon replacement is commercially available in the Dequest family of sequestrants.

The only difference is the stabilzer in which Kodak uses a proprietary chemical and photo flo as part of the mixture. And, some of the chemicals in the process are only available in huge lots at exorbitant prices.

PE

 

[Discpad]

I'm surprised that Fuji is not using Miconazole as an anti-fungal, since they use it in the C41-RA stabilizer.

 

[John Shriver]

Looks to be a C-41 formula on columns 79 and 80.

 

[mohmad khatab]

There are some structures that need research from a team of chemists to obtain them such as:
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 8.0 g
acid · disodium salt ·
dihydrate
Is there a short title for that article? And what is repeated in the name of another somewhat different?
As well as the composition of the substance: Nitrilo-N, N, N-trimethylene 3.0 g
phosphonic acid
pentasodium salt
And those Stannous chloride dihydrate
And such a frightening substance 3,6-dithiaoctane-1,8-diol
I feel ignorant of 1-phenyl-4-methyl-4- 2.5 g
hydroxymethyl-3
pyrazolidone
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 2.0 g
acid · disodium salt ·
dihydrate

 

[Rudeofus]

There are some structures that need research from a team of chemists to obtain them such as:
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic 8.0 g
acid · disodium salt ·
dihydrate
Is there a short title for that article? And what is repeated in the name of another somewhat different?

This a EDTA Disodium Salt. It is commonly used to soften water, so it should be easy for you to obtain.

As well as the composition of the substance: Nitrilo-N, N, N-trimethylene 3.0 g
phosphonic acid
pentasodium salt

This is ATMP Pentasodium Salt (CAS number 2235-43-0) , also sold as Dequest 2006. Depending on your resources, this may be difficult to obtain.

And those Stannous chloride dihydrate

This is used to make E-6 film ready for color development. Some people do this with room light, but this compound also works.

And such a frightening substance 3,6-dithiaoctane-1,8-diol

This is indeed a rather special compound, frequently abbreviated with DTOD, CAS # is 5244-34-8. If you can't obtain this compound, you can substitute it with the tenfold amount of Potassium Thiocyanate.

I feel ignorant of 1-phenyl-4-methyl-4- 2.5 g
hydroxymethyl-3
pyrazolidone

This is a derivative of Phenidone, and may be hard for you to obtain.

If you want to mix E-6 chemistry yourself, you could start with Stefan Lange's E-6 formulas posted here. It avoids some of the hard to get ingredients and works really well.

 

[mohmad khatab]

This a EDTA Disodium Salt. It is commonly used to soften water, so it should be easy for you to obtain.

This is ATMP Pentasodium Salt (CAS number 2235-43-0) , also sold as Dequest 2006. Depending on your resources, this may be difficult to obtain.

This is used to make E-6 film ready for color development. Some people do this with room light, but this compound also works.

This is indeed a rather special compound, frequently abbreviated with DTOD, CAS # is 5244-34-8. If you can't obtain this compound, you can substitute it with the tenfold amount of Potassium Thiocyanate.

This is a derivative of Phenidone, and may be hard for you to obtain.

If you want to mix E-6 chemistry yourself, you could start with Stefan Lange's E-6 formulas posted here. It avoids some of the hard to get ingredients and works really well.

Dear Sir.
My tongue can not find the right phrases that are right for you. I want to thank you, but the word of thanks alone is not enough.
Yes this publication is really important
But it depends on the way of exposure (reverse bath) and that's what I do not want, I want (chemical reverse bath).

God bless you

 

[Photo Engineer]

Be reminded that the Stannous Chloride reversal bath is not very stable after use or during long term keeping. It can go bad without warning.

PE

 

[Anon Ymous]

People fear light fogging and think it's error prone, but the truth is that it's remarkably easy, although a tad boring. No special transparent reels needed and certainly no need to remove the film from the reels. I always put the reel in a white plastic bowl with water and put it about 20-30cm from a 75W bulb. See, I don't even use any ridiculously powerful lamps. I expose each side of the reel for a minute and slowly spin it in the bowl. I never had a single case where this method failed.

 

[Eduardo Villanes]

I found all the ingredients at B&H and Ebay except two:
Citrazinic acid and CD3.
I would be very thankful if you provide me the alternative names of them so I can find them.
Thanks for sharing this useful information.
Greetings from Perú!

 

[Rudeofus]

AFAIK Fototechnik Suvatlar ships internationally. Ask for larger volume prices in case you plan on using more.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Has anyone tried the FD formula at the first post, with the 4' development time? I've got all the chemicals needed for the FD, except diethylene glycol and I'd like to give it a try, but the short development time makes me have second thoughts.

 

[halfaman]

Has anyone tried the FD formula at the first post, with the 4' development time? I've got all the chemicals needed for the FD, except diethylene glycol and I'd like to give it a try, but the short development time makes me have second thoughts.

I feel the same....

In the patent they run the emulsion also through a C41-like process with 2:45 minutes of CD instead of 3:15, and current Fuji Pro6 chemistry for minilabs uses 6 minutes of FD for any slide film.

All emulsions of the patent are lab prototypes with special silver halide structure, no commercial film seems to be used.

 

[Rudeofus]

I have used Stefan's recipes many times, and always used the regular E-6 process times, i.e. 6:15 for FD and so on.

 

[Anon Ymous]

I have used Stefan's recipes many times, and always used the regular E-6 process times, i.e. 6:15 for FD and so on.

That's what I've been doing so far too. I was just wondering if there's anyone brave enough to try Fuji's formula with the 4' development time...