First try at c-41 came out blank

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

As the title says, my first try didn't go well.

I bought the rollei digibase midi kit last week to be able to make 500 ml working solutions.
I mixed according to the instructions at 49 c.

I waited till it cooled down to 25 c and developed at that temp for 13 min as the instructions says, the whole process were made at 25 c.

When the roll came out it was blank. No edge markings or anything, so I thought that maybe I had mixed the developer wrong or something. I've had that happen with dead bw developer.

So mixed a new batch of developer, extra careful with everything. Also decided to do it at standard 38 c temp and 3:15 min

That roll came out severely underdeveloped instead so I thought I might agitated to little.

Made a last try at the same temp and time as above and agitated a lot more. And that roll was as underdeveloped as the last one, maybe even more.

What do you guys think? I'm sure I didn't use the fixer before the developer and all that. Was my developer dead from the start?

Photo Engineer · Nov 17, 2014

It is very hard to say at this point. No edge markings says either bad developer or using the tail end solutions instead of developer. Weak development means either low temp or too dilute.

PE

railwayman3 · Nov 17, 2014

The absence of developed edge markings should exclude a camera or camera-loading problem, or major exposure errors.

I've use the Rollei kit (and the Tetanal kit) myself and found no inherent problems with them, so I'd suggest to check through all your procedures very carefully and systematically and work exactly according to the instructions. My guess is some issue with the developing stage, particularly the freshness of the chemicals; I appreciate the kit was purchased recently, but could it have been too long on the supplier's shelf ?

(Silly question...you were definitely developing C-41 film ? I've done it myself, B&W film in colour developer...together with nearly every other possible mistake in our fine hobby. )

wildbill · Nov 17, 2014

the original rollei digibase kits sold from freestyle had issues with bad part C which once turned purple, was no longer usable. I believe the current kits are different though.
stop processing entire rolls until you get it worked out, do a clip test.
there are tons of threads on c-41 here so read more of them before you proceed.

Vonder · Nov 17, 2014

I had that happen once with the Tetenal kit. It is usually fatal, as I learned, to do the Blix before the developer.

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

Photo Engineer said:
It is very hard to say at this point. No edge markings says either bad developer or using the tail end solutions instead of developer. Weak development means either low temp or too dilute.

PE

I know that I started in the right end of things and the dilution should be right, I doubled the 250 ml amounts since there aren't any for 500 ml in the manual, that should work, right?

Is it possible to mix the developer in the wrong order?

My only guess is that the developer were bad from the start... I believe I've been thorough in my research before trying it.

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

railwayman3 said:
The absence of developed edge markings should exclude a camera or camera-loading problem, or major exposure errors.

I've use the Rollei kit (and the Tetanal kit) myself and found no inherent problems with them, so I'd suggest to check through all your procedures very carefully and systematically and work exactly according to the instructions. My guess is some issue with the developing stage, particularly the freshness of the chemicals; I appreciate the kit was purchased recently, but could it have been too long on the supplier's shelf ?

(Silly question...you were definitely developing C-41 film ? I've done it myself, B&W film in colour developer...together with nearly every other possible mistake in our fine hobby. )

Exposure should be fine, used the same camera with the same batteries with b&w film before my color film.

If the case is that the chemicals is exhausted I guess that is kind of hard to prove to get a refund, isn't it?

And yes it was c-41 film in the tank

Photo Engineer · Nov 17, 2014

When good, the developer should be no darker than tea, the bleach or blix should be green or red depending on type, the fix should be colorless and the stabilizer should be colorless. This is the working solution colors.

PE

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

Photo Engineer said:
When good, the developer should be no darker than tea, the bleach or blix should be green or red depending on type, the fix should be colorless and the stabilizer should be colorless. This is the working solution colors.

PE

That's pretty much what they looked like, after three rolls the bleach became more yellowish, the stab more pinkish.

I hope I'm not bad enough to mix it wrong two times in a row, then I should just stop

I think I will just toss these chemicals and try a tetenal kit which I can buy at a decent price here in Sweden

bvy · Nov 17, 2014

I "proof" my developer with a piece of clear tape over a clip of film leader (emulsion side). Drop it in the working developer, and the untapped part should turn black within minutes. I do this every time I develop any film (C-41 or black and white).

Is it possible your mixing or storage containers are contaminated?

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

bvy said:
I "proof" my developer with a piece of clear tape over a clip of film leader (emulsion side). Drop it in the working developer, and the untapped part should turn black within minutes. I do this every time I develop any film (C-41 or black and white).

Is it possible your mixing or storage containers are contaminated?

That sounds like a good idea, will definitely try that the next time. Do you just take the leader and dump it in there in daylight?

I don't think it should be contaminated. I washed the containers yesterday and mixed with separate measuring cups today.

bvy · Nov 17, 2014

Yes, you can do this in room light.

Siompa · Nov 17, 2014

bvy said:
Yes, you can do this in room light.

I will make it a habit

Siompa · Nov 18, 2014

I realized last night that I might know what went wrong.

I mixed the chemicals a-b-c-starter-water. The manual says water-a-b-c-starter.

Is that what went wrong?

Photo Engineer · Nov 18, 2014

Siompa · Nov 18, 2014

Well then it just seems like bad chemicals.

wblynch · Nov 19, 2014

I've always mixed my C-41 chems at room temperature and had no problems.

I did run through one Rollie Digibase kit and didn't mix it at 49*c. That seems awfully hot.

I would ask for a refund. It might have sat on the shelf too long.

Siompa · Nov 22, 2014

Yeah will contact macidirect and see what they'll say

wombat2go · Nov 23, 2014

I have had pretty well 100 % success with the Rollei Digibase kit.
That is, except for one roll that I loaded backwards and exposed the paper!

First try at c-41 came out blank

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