Film Photography Project ECN2 kit

Kilgallb

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I just received an ECN2 C41 kit from the film photography project. The instructions give times for development and temperature that seems geared for 35mm small tanks. Has anyone used the kit for 4x5 in a roller drum.

I would think with constant agitation the development time would be adjusted or the temperature adjusted.
 

koraks

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Normally speaking, C41 is a standardized process run at 100F with 3:15 development time and agitation that is constant, or at least achieves the same effect as constant agitation. Format doesn't matter. I have not used this particular kit, but I wouldn't hesitate to apply the same logic. I suspect they recommend something like agitation at 30 second intervals for 35mm, which is probably intended to come close to constant agitation.

Anyway, the quality of the results will depend to an extent on the chemistry itself. You mention it's a C41/ECN2 kit - but what kind of developer(s) does it have? If it's one developer for both processes, then anything might happen - frankly, I'm not a huge fan of that approach because ECN2 and C41 are really very different processes in terms of chemistry and processing parameters. If the kit comes with separate developers for C41 and ECN2, I'd feel more confident in applying industry standard processing parameters to it.
 

Sonynolta User

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Koraks- I believe the FPP kit comes with CD3. I used one and it has a little labeled packet of it. The OP could verify this.

To the OP- if you're picky, or planning to do old-school RA4 prints of your negs, CD3 will not give optimum results. If all you're doing is scanning, any issues can mostly be corrected in post. But if you have a keen color eye, results are not optimal.
geekery note: CD3 / CD4 is 'color developer' v3 & v4. Its the stuff that makes the magic happen between exposed silver and dyes in the film.
 

sillo

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Kilgallb said:
I would think with constant agitation the development time would be adjusted or the temperature adjusted.
Click to expand...

C41/ECN2 times aren't adjusted for agitation like B&W. The process is already assuming constant agitation and it's why you see small tank processing of color film require more inversions then are usually done with B&W.
 
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Kilgallb

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The kit has three packets of powdered chemicals, developer, bleach and fixer. The confusing thing is the instructions said to mix developer in sequence, package one to five but there was only one package.

Maybe another email to the film photography project.

They already emailed me that they have never tested sheet film.
 

Sonynolta User

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I think when you open the developer packet, you will find some smaller packets that they describe. Same with bleach & fix. At least that's what I think I remember...
 

mshchem

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Oh Boy! That doesn't inspire confidence

Is not ECN strictly a process for motion picture camera films???

Any sheet film should be C-41.

These kits sound a bit like the Jobo "Press" kits that Jobo USA, Michigan sold years ago.
 

sillo

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I also like how they told you they “never tested sheet film” when they literally link a video on the webpage for the kit where someone who they’re very close with develops sheet film.
 
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Kilgallb

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Michael Raso did give me contact information to someone who had developed 4x5. that person has not replied to my questions.
 

mshchem

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Interesting approach. I must admit there's no secret rocket science to mixing up something like this. It's not my first choice of how I would do it.
Maybe I should run a side by side comparison? I have 10 sheets of Portra in 8x10 hmm??
 

koraks

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mshchem said:
Is not ECN strictly a process for motion picture camera films???

Any sheet film should be C-41.
Click to expand...

Yes, and it's been discussed on Photrio before - which is to say, I voiced my concerns about this quite recently. Apparently the developer is an ECN2 developer and FPP apparently feels that cross-processing is OK since most people will scan their film and then are able to make whatever adjustments necessary in digital post. I find this unfortunate, because if someone at a later point decides to give RA4 printing a try anyway, they're stuck with negatives that simply cannot be printed with decent color fidelity. There should at least be a clear warning/disclaimer included in the instructions that points out the limitations of the kit.
 

mshchem

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I still am using up the Kodak Alaris 5L developer Replenisher, and KA C41RA bleach and fixer. I see that the Replenisher for developer from SinoPromise is available, except in 20L size, it's cheap, so if a person wanted proper C-41 developer, the 20L Replenisher and a bottle of starter would get you going.
I've never liked the powder kits.
 
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