Flexicolor 25L vs 10L

MingMingPhoto

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Hello all! I've been using kodak RA chemicals but recently acedntly bought a different kodak fixer.

6600027 vs 6600282

Can someone please help me to know how much time I have to delop c41 film in this chemical in a rotational machine?
and any and all similarities and differences between the two?
 

foc

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The Flexicolor RA 6600282 comes in 5L concentrate. It is mixed with 5L of water to make replenishes of 10L
The Flexicolor 6600027, I am not familiar with, but it appears to be packed in what looks similar to a wine bladder (there is a push and tear here at the top of the box which suggests this). I can't see what the packing volume is but it will make 25L of replenisher when mixed with water.


Have a look at the Kodak Flexicolor info sheet.
https://125px.com/docs/techpubs/kodak/z131-2003.pdf
Go to section 3 for details on rotary processing and times or have a look here.
https://125px.com/docs/techpubs/kodak/z131_03.pdf

If you are using the mixed replenished as one shot in a rotary tank, then just use the volume of chemical recommended and the time suggested by Kodak (6:30 mins)
C41 fixer is fixer (ok I know there are low rep/rapid access fixers) but they are for a replenished system. You basically can't over fix the films if you go the 6:30 mins for the Flexicolor 6600027. I know the Flexicolor RA fixer has a time of 2 mins but that is for minilab machines where speed is important.

See here from the info sheet::
KODAK FLEXICOLOR Fixer and Replenisher Dilute this concentrate for use as replenisher or tank solution.
  • For Large-Volume Automatic Processors: Available in sizes to make 25 and 75 U.S. gallons.
  • For Small- to Medium-Volume Automatic Processors: Available in sizes to make 5 litres and 1, 5, and 25 U.S. gallons.
 
OP
OP

MingMingPhoto

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Hi okay, so I guess you're saying the longest c41 fixing time is 6:30 so I should just go with that right? I'll do that, thank you!
 

Scott J.

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I thought I'd add to this thread since I've used both of these fixers (i.e., 6600027 and 6600282) for processing C-41 film in a Jobo. I've compared identical negatives processed in the two fixers and the results are indistinguishable to the naked eye and in inverted scans. The main differences are fixing time (6:30 versus 2:00) and cost per unit volume of working solution (see details below). Here's a summary of the mixing and usage instructions:

6600027 (This is the "conventional" Flexicolor fixer)
Package size: one 5-liter jug of concentrate.
Mixing instructions to prepare replenisher (concentrate + water): 1+4 (e.g., 200 mL concentrate + 800 mL water = 1,000 mL replenisher; see Page 3 in Kodak Pub. CIS-49).
Mixing instructions to prepare working solution (concentrate + water): 1.724+8.276 (e.g., 172.4 mL concentrate + 827.6 mL water = 1,000 mL working solution; see Page 5 in Kodak Pub. CIS-49).
Total replenisher possible: 25 liters.
Total working solution possible: 29 liters.
Fixing time and temperature for rotary processing: 6:30 @ 24-38 degrees C (see Page 3-6 in Kodak Pub. Z-131).
Approximate cost per liter of working solution (as of 2022; not inclusive of shipping): $0.40/liter.

6600282 (This is the RA, or "Rapid Access," version of the Flexicolor fixer)
Package size: one 5-liter jug of concentrate.
Mixing instructions to prepare replenisher (concentrate + water): 1+1 (e.g., 500 mL concentrate + 500 mL water = 1,000 mL replenisher; see Page 3 in Kodak Pub. CIS-49).
Mixing instructions to prepare working solution (concentrate + water): same as above (i.e., the replenisher and working solution are the same thing; see Page 5 in Kodak Pub. CIS-49).
Total replenisher possible: 10 liters.
Total working solution possible: 10 liters.
Fixing time and temperature for rotary processing: 2:00 @ 35-41 degrees C (see Page 3-6 in Kodak Pub. Z-131).
Approximate cost per liter of working solution (as of 2022; not inclusive of shipping): $2.30/liter.

The shelf life of both concentrates is very good. I've had half a jug of the 6600027 concentrate sitting around for >2 years and half a jug of the 6600282 concentrate sitting around for about a year, and control strips processed in both still check out within aim values. I enjoy the faster processing time offered by the RA bleach and RA fixer (1:00 and 2:00, respectively), but the cost per liter of working solution is obviously higher. When my RA bleach and RA fixer are used up, I'll use up the conventional Flexicolor bleach and fixer I have sitting on the shelf before ordering more RA chemicals.
 

mtjade2007

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Hi okay, so I guess you're saying the longest c41 fixing time is 6:30 so I should just go with that right? I'll do that, thank you!

Only the color development step of C-41 process needs to be exactly 3 minutes and 15 seconds at 100 degree F. The bleach and fix temperature can be off and the time longer as long as it's not too far off or too long such as soaking for hours. This is why c-41 at home is really not difficult. I usually give a few more minutes to bleach and fix my film especially when I reuse my beach and fix chemicals.
 

tbeaman

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Thanks, I appreciate you confirming that the 2:00 time for the RA fixer (and the 1:00 for RA bleach) works for rotary processing. There’s always been a question of this and so conventional wisdom has always been to just do 6:30 to be safe.

They’ve always been more expensive so it’s nice to know that extra time you’d save on the bleach and fix time could make the extra cost worthwhile.

I know for most hobbyists that that extra time is inconsequential, but I tend to shoot and process a larger volume. Plus, less time developing film means more time in the darkroom making prints.
 
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