Got the Trebla Filmpac; what do you think of my processing scheme?

Hi all,

So, based on the previous discussion in this thread

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I got the Trebla Filmpac and a bottle of developer starter. As mentioned, the stated capacity of the kit is 475 rolls of 135-24, or 317 rolls of 135-36 (or equivalent). Now, there's no way I'm going to be shooting that much before I expect the kit to start going bad. I maybe shoot 40 rolls a year of C-41. So my goal isn't to squeeze every drop of capacity out of the kit; I will be happy with breaking even. It costs about $2USD to get developing-only from local labs, so I will break even at about 40 rolls. I'm going to operate under the assumption that the concentrates will last about 1.5 years if I am careful to keep the air out of the bottles, so my target is to get 50-60 rolls from it.

The instructions on the kit box are extremely minimal. Basically, they just assume that you are emptying each concentrate bottle in one shot (except for bleach, where you start with one liter and replenish). This works out to the following volumes of working strength solutions:

Developer = 12.5 liters
Fixer = 15 liters
Stabilizer = 20 liters

I want to mix smaller volumes to do batches in my Jobo. With 60 rolls as my goal, it works out to about 200ml of developer per roll, which is more than enough to simply use everything except the bleach as a one-shot. My understanding is that the bleach isn't susceptible to oxidation, so I can use replenishment with it and it should last for the year-and-a-half just fine, right? Does this sound like a good strategy, or am I missing something? Anybody else using the Filmpac kit and have any tips that might be useful?

There is also a discrepancy between the Filmpac box and the developer starter bottle: the box says 20ml of starter, and the bottle says 25ml. Based on other discussions about Flexicolor chemistry, it sounds like maybe I don't need the starter at all if I use it one-shot? But it shouldn't do any harm if I do use it in a one-shot system, right?

thanks,
Jerry

I think you DO need to use starter for the C-41 style negative developer. I believe it is only the RA-4 print process that PE recommends using developer replenisher (without starter) for tray processing of RA-4 color prints.

I would (if I were you) mix up a litre of C-41 working solution developer. Then work from that. If the kit will make 12 litres, then just divide concentrates volume by 12 to get the quantity of concentrates to make 1 litre.

I use kodak developer replenisher. I would get an inert gas to fill the concentrate bottles with. Then, if you replenish the developer and keep it topped up I have gotten 6 month shelf life out of working solutions of C41 developer. (I left a bottle at my school over the summer and when I came back it was still fine) I don't know of any develop and dump kits. Even though kits like the tetenal advertise on line a one shot capacity, the instructions I received with the kit said nothing of the sort and proceeded to give capacities of the solutions. I mix up a liter and replenish for a few months and dump it and then start again. I essentially replenish the loss I get after each roll with fresh solutions, maybe dump a bit and replace. Works for me. If you can get inert gasses or marbles the concentrates will last a lot longer.