High temp RA4 advantage..

rossawilson1 · Dec 19, 2008

..over room temperature kits.. is there one?

I tried a high temp kit the other day and couldn't see any difference what so-ever.. is that usual or is it possible I'm doing something wrong?

I've used the Tetenel kits for both.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Tom Kershaw · Dec 19, 2008

If you do some research on APUG you'll see some comments about the stability of room temperature kits. According to PE the Kodak Ektacolor RA series chemistry can be used at room temperatures with a longer development time. How are you printing? Nova, trays, roller transport?

Take a look at the Fujihunt and Kodak options for RA-4 chemicals:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/shop/categories/colour-print-chemicals/

Tom.

rossawilson1 · Dec 19, 2008

I did have a quick search but didn't find a lot, only one result comes up with room temperature and stability.

What do you mean by stability, shifting colours from print to print?

I'm using a Nova slot, I'm not un-happy with my process, I love it, I was just curious about the high temp kits and if there was a difference in quality.. just couldn't see any.

Tom Kershaw · Dec 19, 2008

What do you mean by stability, shifting colours from print to print?

- Long term stability concerns around prints processed with room temperature kits. Obviously with the Nova you have a temperature control and can run the process at 35ºC.

Shifting colours could arise from a range of factors including changes in process chemistry, contamination, voltage variation affecting enlarger lamp intensity and contrast etc.

The Fujihunt RA-4 Xpress kit costs approx. £26 inc VAT for 5 litres, the Tetenal approx. £35 inc VAT for 5 litres. The Kodak RA system (In 20 litre packaging) is around half the price of the Fujihunt X-press kit per litre.

rossawilson1 · Dec 19, 2008

Okay, well I don't have a problem with shifting colours but if you're saying my prints aren't going to last then I can see why people would go for these kits.. in fact I shall be ordering some myself.. just a pain having to wait for the thing to warm up.

Thanks!

Photo Engineer · Dec 19, 2008

Room temperature kits that use CD-4 instead of CD-3 will cause shifted dye hues and lower dye stability. Kits that are supposed to be used at room temp often use higher pH, but this reduces developer stability. All of these kits have a premium price.

The regular Kodak RA-RT developer replenisher works just fine at 20 deg C for 2 minutes.

PE

michaelbsc · Dec 20, 2008

Photo Engineer said:
Room temperature kits that use CD-4 instead of CD-3 will cause shifted dye hues and lower dye stability. Kits that are supposed to be used at room temp often use higher pH, but this reduces developer stability. All of these kits have a premium price.

The regular Kodak RA-RT developer replenisher works just fine at 20 deg C for 2 minutes.

PE

Ross graciously sent me his workflow for color, and I'm about to embark on doing some color prints myself. I have an old Nova Quad that's in need of repair, but I'll get that going within a couple more weeks I think. In theory that should allow me to hold any desired temperature I need.

If temperature is not a concern because the Nova will handle it, what's the best setup for a home user? Is there a particular Kodak 'kit' or specific individual chemicals?

Thanks,
Michael

Photo Engineer · Dec 20, 2008

Nichael;

The Kodak RA-RT developer replenisher and about any paper blix will work.

Develop 2' at 20 C, blix 2' - 4' at 20 C and wash at 20 - 30 C. Wash until water is clear in running water or rinse prints and hold in a tray with still water until the printinng session is done then wash at 25 C for about 2' or until water is clear without pink color. Use an archival washer for best results.

The paper should test free of hypo and silver.

PE

nickandre · Dec 21, 2008

I do room temperature with the kodak chemistry. It is in the dark so I don't time precisely, but I give it 2-3 minutes in the developer and a while with final prints in the blix. The results are great.

PE-How can I test for hypo/silver?

Photo Engineer · Dec 21, 2008

Standard retained hypo and retained silver halide test kits. They are available from many photo suppliers. I get mine from the Photographers Formulary, an APUG sponsor.

PE

High temp RA4 advantage..

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