How do I save money?

[rustyair]

Hi Guys,

I buy Portra 120, 5 roll pack and Portra 4x5 from adoroma and I use a 1L C-41 tetenal from BH. I do my own developing with the jobo cpe-2 and scan with v700. I wish I can buy bulk like 10 liters of c-41 powders and lots of portra films at lower prices...Is there any way to save some money? I'm located in NY. Thanks

 

[Pasto]

I'm in the same boat and can't get it cheaper than Portra 400 4x5 and Tetanal C41 kit from B&H. I thought of shooting Ektar 4x5 instead of Portra to save a few dollars but I don't like the colors of Ektar and I need the extra speed for interiors.

 

[one90guy]

Have you tryed 120 Fujicolor Reala, I use to use it in 35mm and liked the results. I only use b/w in 120, and have almost finished my darkroom. Have been using a changing bag for film and scanning but do not have a great scanner.

 

[CatLABS]

As goose said - you can get away with a HUGE kit from Champion for C-41 (i buy at unique photo) for next to nothing, will last for years, and will pay it self back after the first 50 rolls (you will be able to processor about 300-400 rolls with the smallest kit). save on chems, buy good films.

 

[Diapositivo]

Are those Minilab kits identical in use to the normal 5 litres kit? Or is there some peculiarity in mixing and using?

Specifically, could they be used "one-shot" with a rotative processor?

 

[JoJo]

Some Minilab kits use the same mixture like amateur kits (Tetenal).
Others require a strange mixture for small volume, like FujiHunt, because the bottles are matching a full tank volume.
But you find the mixture ratio in the manuals.
You normally need a starter solution for Minilab chemistry. This slows down (or ages) the developer when using fresh solution. You can also work without starter but then you should do some tests and ahort development time a bit. Otherwise you could end up in higher contrast or higher density.

Joachim

 

[Andre Noble]

It's a toss up between a 401k vs Roth IRA. That's how you save money.

 

[rustyair]

Thanks for all the input. I've been using nothing but the tetenal c-41 kit from bh and I'm a little confused about the minilab kit. Can anyone show me the link on Unique Photo? I process around 4 rolls of 120 a week and I'm looking for the easiest way to mix chem.

http://www.uniquephoto.com/search/go?w=c-41&x=0&y=0

 

[Diapositivo]

Thanks, very useful.