ECN-2 developer capacity?

[Mogsby]

Hi all,
I have been gifted a full kit of freshly made solutions in 24 fl oz bottles. Film I have is EXR 500T 5298. Does anyone know how many 36 exp films I can develop out of the developer. I have done some of the 5298 in 500ml of C41 developer, the chems lasted about 6 films before been depleted. Will I get the same capacity from the ECN-2 chems ?.
All the bottle have the time and temps written on them, so no problem there.
Interesting to see the Remjet pre bath is only 10 secs, also the use of a stop! A step that's missed in C41 of Blix or separates!.
Any input is most welcomed.
Mick

 

[Ko.Fe.]

1L ECN-2 kits I have usually have capacity for 12 rolls. Sorry, I don't do it in oz.

 

[fdonadio]

Kodak says (for roller transport processing) that you must replenish 900mL for every 100 feet of 35mm film processed. That would mean 20 rolls.

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/uplo...t_en_motion_support_processing_h247_h2407.pdf

Except that the tanks used for roller transport processing are way bigger than that, so you're not using just 900mL.

I developed 16 rolls with the same liter of ECN-2 once, but the last 4 rolls (last tank) didn't look so good.

I decided to stick to 12 per liter since then.

Oh... One liter is 33.8 ounces.


Cheers,
Flavio

 

[Mogsby]

1L ECN-2 kits I have usually have capacity for 12 rolls. Sorry, I don't do it in oz.

Thanks for the input. I split what I had to send some to a friend, what I had left did 6 films, the last film being very thin. But I did not store the chemicals in vacuumed bottles. My friend found that the ECN2 developer gives no real improvement over RA4 developer!. The pre bath is really good, get just about all the ramjet off, but does not keep any better than the rest of the chemicals. BTW, you are so lucky to be able to get 1l ecn2 kits, there is nothing easily available in the UK.

 

[Mogsby]

Kodak says (for roller transport processing) that you must replenish 900mL for every 100 feet of 35mm film processed. That would mean 20 rolls.

http://motion.kodak.com/motion/uplo...t_en_motion_support_processing_h247_h2407.pdf

Except that the tanks used for roller transport processing are way bigger than that, so you're not using just 900mL.

I developed 16 rolls with the same liter of ECN-2 once, but the last 4 rolls (last tank) didn't look so good.

I decided to stick to 12 per liter since then.

Oh... One liter is 33.8 ounces.


Cheers,
Flavio

I found that as the pre bath got old, the ramjet started to gunk up my reels . The down side of using a developing tank. I need to build a wash plant type thing, where I can remove the ramjet separately once it is softened, a roller transport type setup to keep the pre bath cleaner and hopefully it will last longer. I am told a high pressure water jet is used to blow off most of the ramjet, then a couple of spinning sponges get rid of anything left!. I can see the headlines.. 'Man enters shed, not been seen for a month' .

 

[fdonadio]

I found that as the pre bath got old, the ramjet started to gunk up my reels . The down side of using a developing tank. I need to build a wash plant type thing, where I can remove the ramjet separately once it is softened, a roller transport type setup to keep the pre bath cleaner and hopefully it will last longer. I am told a high pressure water jet is used to blow off most of the ramjet, then a couple of spinning sponges get rid of anything left!. I can see the headlines.. 'Man enters shed, not been seen for a month' .

RemJet is the only big problem with ECN-2 development. Still, it's not hard to solve, even when using small tanks — a darkroom is required, though.

After reeling the film, put it into the tank, cap it and pour in the pre-bath. Agitate vigorously for 30 to 45 seconds. Then, in the dark, uncap the tank and rinse everything multiple times with water at 27°C, until you *think* there's no RemJet sticking to the tank, cap and reels. There will be some residue left on the film, but forget about it for now. Put the reel back in the tank, cap it and follow the process through the end.

Right before you get to stab, take the film off the reel and put it in a bowl with water. Turn the lights on (if you didn't do it before), so you can inspect the film and wipe the remaining RemJet with a clean soft sponge. Try to keep the sponge clean by rinsing it often. Take care not to rub the emulsion side. After all the RemJet is removed, wash the film a little more, stab and put it to dry.

I would love to build a machine to develop Super-8mm film, but I am more inclined to shoot Tri-X and develop in a Lomo tank.


Cheers,
Flavio

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thanks for the input. I split what I had to send some to a friend, what I had left did 6 films, the last film being very thin. But I did not store the chemicals in vacuumed bottles. My friend found that the ECN2 developer gives no real improvement over RA4 developer!. The pre bath is really good, get just about all the ramjet off, but does not keep any better than the rest of the chemicals. BTW, you are so lucky to be able to get 1l ecn2 kits, there is nothing easily available in the UK.

This is what manufacturer of this kit is mentioned in documentation. No air in bottles, one month after mix and 12 rolls.
I pushed it after 12 rolls with stand developing. I left roll in developer at 18C for one hour+. It came not thin. But colors were funny.

 

[Mogsby]

RemJet is the only big problem with ECN-2 development. Still, it's not hard to solve, even when using small tanks — a darkroom is required, though.

After reeling the film, put it into the tank, cap it and pour in the pre-bath. Agitate vigorously for 30 to 45 seconds. Then, in the dark, uncap the tank and rinse everything multiple times with water at 27°C, until you *think* there's no RemJet sticking to the tank, cap and reels. There will be some residue left on the film, but forget about it for now. Put the reel back in the tank, cap it and follow the process through the end.

Right before you get to stab, take the film off the reel and put it in a bowl with water. Turn the lights on (if you didn't do it before), so you can inspect the film and wipe the remaining RemJet with a clean soft sponge. Try to keep the sponge clean by rinsing it often. Take care not to rub the emulsion side. After all the RemJet is removed, wash the film a little more, stab and put it to dry.

I would love to build a machine to develop Super-8mm film, but I am more inclined to shoot Tri-X and develop in a Lomo tank.


Cheers,
Flavio

I will try your method when I can get hold of some more pre bath. I am open to all input. I have a fish pond, took me 2 years to get it all right so I have clear pond water, just got to keep going and try what people suggest, at some point it all comes together and the solution is simple . Never see it at the start though .
I need more practice, I have only been up and running since Christmas!. I started with the intention of just doing slide film, I bought film and a projector, also the slide mounts all 300 of those. The photography bug saw what I was planning and bit me on the arse . To date, not one slide produced. Have two enlargers, a 35mm camera, then I saw a 1950's 120 folder.. then the six16 art deco folder, the list goes on. I've moved out of the bathroom with the board on the bath and moved into the shed . I'm 52 yrs old so used film then digital, now back to film and doing the processing myself.
As for Super 8, I hope the Kodak adventure catches on so the prices come down.

 

[Mogsby]

This is what manufacturer of this kit is mentioned in documentation. No air in bottles, one month after mix and 12 rolls.
I pushed it after 12 rolls with stand developing. I left roll in developer at 18C for one hour+. It came not thin. But colors were funny.

I use the vacuum wine bottle stoppers with the pump. Not sure it is all that good. maybe the best way, taken from my adventure into home brewing is to use CO2. put a little CO2 in the bottle, then fill and cap with oxy crown caps!. Or mix up 5 ltr solution and put it in a mini keg that has an injector valve for the CO2 capsules.

 

[alanrockwood]

I use the vacuum wine bottle stoppers with the pump. Not sure it is all that good. maybe the best way, taken from my adventure into home brewing is to use CO2. put a little CO2 in the bottle, then fill and cap with oxy crown caps!. Or mix up 5 ltr solution and put it in a mini keg that has an injector valve for the CO2 capsules.

Just a quick chemistry note: Aqueous CO2 is acidic, so putting CO2 into the bottle will likely alter the pH. Whether it would be enough to make a difference I don't know.

 

[Mogsby]

Just a quick chemistry note: Aqueous CO2 is acidic, so putting CO2 into the bottle will likely alter the pH. Whether it would be enough to make a difference I don't know.

That is a good point!.

 

[Mogsby]

Just a quick chemistry note: Aqueous CO2 is acidic, so putting CO2 into the bottle will likely alter the pH. Whether it would be enough to make a difference I don't know.

Maybe I need to find out how the concentrates are bottled, I was the class clown in chemistry classes , I live to regret .

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I use the vacuum wine bottle stoppers with the pump. Not sure it is all that good. maybe the best way, taken from my adventure into home brewing is to use CO2. put a little CO2 in the bottle, then fill and cap with oxy crown caps!. Or mix up 5 ltr solution and put it in a mini keg that has an injector valve for the CO2 capsules.

I'm not so sophisticated. I'm using plastic 1L bottles from pool chemicals.

 

[Mogsby]

I'm not so sophisticated. I'm using plastic 1L bottles from pool chemicals.

I protect the best chemicals in the shed, the rest are in plastic and in wait for me to spill them all so they get the chance to embalm me .

 

[fdonadio]

I will try your method when I can get hold of some more pre bath.

I've heard that baking soda will work for RemJet removal. The official formula for Kodak PB-2 pre-bath is:

Borax (Decahydrated) ....................... 20.0 g
Sodium Sulfate (Anhydrous) .............. 100 g
Sodium Hydroxide ............................ 1.0 g

This makes 1 liter of solution and it's what Kodak recommends.


Cheers,
Flavio

 

[Mogsby]

Just a quick chemistry note: Aqueous CO2 is acidic, so putting CO2 into the bottle will likely alter the pH. Whether it would be enough to make a difference I don't know.

I just got 20 litres each of all the ECN2 parts, it is working solution. I have put it in brown beer bottles, I fully filled the bottles and crown capped them. Basically the chem's are airtight with the smallest air bubble in the bottle. The prebath is very gassy in the bottles, a few have exploded, glass and pre bath all over the place . Time will tell how long the chem's last. They are now stored in the shed, and with the colder weather here that may help. I really need to start logging what I do. Kodak say 8 weeks life in the tank with a floating lid! that's not airtight, so we see how my method works!. I also tried wet printing with the ECN dev and a v41 blix, first try was 1 min in the orbiter, very faint, second try was 2 mins, a big improvement, I will try 3 mins next time, may be too much but I get to see where the goal posts are .

 

[lantau]

I mixed up ECN2 solutions from raw chemicals (minus the AF2000, which I can't source) on 15. of May. Storage is in brown glass bottles which I vent with butane gas to displace the air at the top. I haven't kept track of how much film exactly I developed in it, as I've mainly done experimental rolls with the aim to get the remjet removal working the way I want it done. So I just developed two films this weekend, Remjet removal prior to developing seems to be working without scratches now, and the developer was still good after five months, as far as I can see. I'm attaching (I hope) a sample since my colour judgement isnt' really good. Also I don't know how to recognise 'colour crossover' which is often referenced in this forum.

Edit: Corrected a mistake.

 

[Albi Sheridan]

1L ECN-2 kits I have usually have capacity for 12 rolls. Sorry, I don't do it in oz.

Hello,

I see this is an old tread but I am hoping for some answers. Im am in the USA, NYC. I see above you mentioned ECN-2 kits. I am looking for a kit or just a small amount of ECN-2 developer. Where did you source smaller quantities of these chemicals? With kodak the minimum amount sold seems to make up 200L of dev.

Thanks for your help!

Albi

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Hello,

I see this is an old tread but I am hoping for some answers. Im am in the USA, NYC. I see above you mentioned ECN-2 kits. I am looking for a kit or just a small amount of ECN-2 developer. Where did you source smaller quantities of these chemicals? With kodak the minimum amount sold seems to make up 200L of dev.

Thanks for your help!

Albi

One small company in Moscow does it. PM if you want me to ask them.

 

[Albi Sheridan]

One small company in Moscow does it. PM if you want me to ask them.

Yes please! I am very interested in this, thank you. Please send me the details.

 

[Jeff Bradford]

I'm willing to purchase several liters in un-mixed kit form if possible. Keep me in mind if you need to fill out a bulk order.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm willing to purchase several liters in un-mixed kit form if possible. Keep me in mind if you need to fill out a bulk order.

I'm not doing any orders. Once my kits are finished, I'm done with ECN-2. I'll ask the manufacturer if he accept orders in English. I know what he shipped individual, small orders to Europe and Canada, but it was done under Russian language communications.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

OK. Reply just received. He is willing to help directly. PM me for his e-mail.
Second reply received. He has it on e-bay. Exactly what I've been using.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/142233153264?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[Jeff Bradford]

OK. Reply just received. He is willing to help directly. PM me for his e-mail.
Second reply received. He has it on e-bay. Exactly what I've been using.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/142233153264?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Thank you.

 

[Kelly Reynolds]

I found an old roll of Seattle Filmworks 35mm film in an old box in the closet that was never processed. I was wondering if there is anywhere or anyone out there that still has the capability to process 35mm with the ECN-2 development process.

Thank you,
Kelly Reynolds
Freeport, Florida