E-6 recommendations?

[bdial]

I'm thinking of going back to processing my own E-6. Is Kodak as good as it gets for longevity of the chemistry? Is there any advantage to going with something like Tetenal?

Thanks,
Barry

 

[srs5694]

I have only a limited anecdote to offer, but here it is: My first foray into E-6 processing was with a Paterson Chrome-6 3-bath kit. About three months after I first opened it, one of the developers (I've forgotten if it was the first or the color) had turned completely black, so I didn't dare use it. My second E-6 kit was a Kodak 6-bath kit. I've had it for about a year and it still works. (That said, I've not done any precision color tests; it could be the color I get is slightly off now. As I scan my E-6 film a slight color shift isn't a big deal to me, though.)

That said, there is a drawback to the Kodak kit: It's much harder to use. The Paterson kit involved a process that wasn't much more complex than C-41, but doubling the number of baths for the Kodak kit makes it all much more tedious.

 

[Ole]

I'm using JOBO 3-bath chemicals now. Used some last year, then didn't use any more until this morning. It's still good!

 

[Bjorn R]

I'm using the Kodak 6-bath kit and have mixed a liter now and then for half a year. As far as I can see there is no noticeble color shift.

I always top the bottles with propane/butane from a handheld blowtorch (Protectan is hard to come by in Sweden). With this method I have even stored the mixed solutions for 6 weeks without problems (stored dark and cold).

 

[roteague]

I would go with the Kodak chemicals, especially if you are using Kodak film. Not all E6 chemistry is the same, just as not all E6 films are the same. Longevity should be a secondary concern.