Individual portioned 500ml C41 kit containers

hwy17 · 2025-11-10T21:24:32-0500

After 6 months or so, processing about 4 rolls every month in 500ml out of 5L kodak kits, I think it's the measuring of the chemistry that is the most bothersome step of a monthly processing for me. It takes me longer than loading the film or the actual processing and is the most likely point of error if I'm not careful.

I don't like the idea of storing premixed bleach or developer.

Ideally I'd like to have measure out many small vials of developer parts ABC and Bleach parts AB. Especially just the developer though. If I could just grab three vials for that and dump them in that would be a lot easier.

I'm starting this thread with the half finished idea to come back later as I find ideas for possible containers. And open to suggestions of course in the meantime.

gbroadbridge · 2025-11-10T21:33:38-0500

The best way to store C-41 chemistry is to mix up the full batch, and then subdivide the mixed solutions into smaller bottles.

They will last much longer that way.

I normally store in 600ml bottles as when used 500ml will become significantly less which is troublesome if you need 500ml to fill a tank.
I use 600ml soda bottles which are stored in the dark.

hwy17 · 2025-11-10T21:51:48-0500

gbroadbridge said:
The best way to store C-41 chemistry is to mix up the full batch, and then subdivide the mixed solutions into smaller bottles.

They will last much longer that way.

I normally store in 600ml bottles as when used 500ml will become significantly less which is troublesome if you need 500ml to fill a tank.
I use 600ml soda bottles which are stored in the dark.

This is what I've heard but I was still concerned about the components of the developer degrading each other once mixed.

I could receive the wisdom though that it will be ok. What about for up to 10 months though? It could take me up to that long maximum to get through a 5L kit.

I store the opened bottles of unmixed chemistry refridgerated right now and would probably do the same for any other solution.

gbroadbridge · 2025-11-10T21:56:27-0500

hwy17 said:
This is what I've heard but I was still concerned about the components of the developer degrading each other once mixed.

This thread has a post by @koraks with more details as to why it's best to store fully mixed.

hwy17 · 2025-11-10T22:24:25-0500

gbroadbridge said:
This thread has a post by @koraks with more details as to why it's best to store fully mixed.

Well, I was resistant but when Koraks speaks I listen. Thank you.

Finding 10 high quality low airspace 500ml containers is a simpler task then at least.

koraks · 2025-11-11T01:32:21-0500

hwy17 said:
What about for up to 10 months though?

That shouldn't be a problem at all.

I always mix everything at once and then store in glass bottles with a tightly fitting cap. The Fuji C41 developer I use lasts well over a year this way - in fact, I've never had it gone bad before I run out (which takes considerably more than a year, typically).

loccdor · 2025-11-11T10:44:08-0500

I'm satisfied with the Unicolor/Tetenal/Film Photography Project etc 1 liter kits for C-41 and E-6. Flic Film does sell a 500ml kit but I hear it's got some compromises in the chemistry. Haven't tried it.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T12:22:13-0500

loccdor said:
I'm satisfied with the Unicolor/Tetenal/Film Photography Project etc 1 liter kits for C-41 and E-6. Flic Film does sell a 500ml kit but I hear it's got some compromises in the chemistry. Haven't tried it.

Yeah if affordable 500ml kits existed I considered that would be nice to have as one and done. But the economy of the Kodak 5L kit is unlikely to be beat for me.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T12:23:35-0500

I've ordered 4 of these glass bottles for dividing up 2L of developer at a time. That would still leave me mixing bleach, fix, and rinse, but those are not quite as nerve racking with their volumes.

These bottles do have some airspace but I have a can of wine saver gas if I decide to use it.

koraks · 2025-11-11T12:31:12-0500

Bleach you can re-use and replenish, so not a whole lot of mixing required. The same with fixer, although personally I use it one shot. Rinse can also be reused.

blee1996 · 2025-11-11T12:42:19-0500

Yes, color developer is the only chemical that you really need to be careful for longevity in storage.

MattKing · 2025-11-11T15:07:47-0500

hwy17 said:
I've ordered 4 of these glass bottles for dividing up 2L of developer at a time. That would still leave me mixing bleach, fix, and rinse, but those are not quite as nerve racking with their volumes.

These bottles do have some airspace but I have a can of wine saver gas if I decide to use it.
View attachment 411037

Fill up three of them to close to the rim.
Then use the inert gas on the 4th, and on each bottle as you open it.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T16:30:15-0500

MattKing said:
Fill up three of them to close to the rim.
Then use the inert gas on the 4th, and on each bottle as you open it.

The important convenience for me though would be to open one per development and dump it all in. My developments are 500ml batches.

blee1996 · 2025-11-11T16:40:20-0500

Try these 500ml wine bags: air and light tight. And I re-use them as well. You can find them on amazon or ebay.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T16:55:45-0500

blee1996 said:
Try these 500ml wine bags: air and light tight. And I re-use them as well. You can find them on amazon or ebay.

View attachment 411053

Those look effective but I'd rather avoid having to use a funnel if I can.

gbroadbridge · 2025-11-11T17:24:13-0500

I have to say, folks are so fussy - much more fussy than the chemicals actually need.

For a long time I've mixed a. 2.5L kit into 2 sets of 1.25 litre PET coke bottles (8x), putting one set aside for later.

Use the first set of 1.25 litre in a 500 ml dev tank pouring back into the 1.25l bottle after each roll of film (using a funnel)

Easily lasts 6 months or 16 rolls of film (whichever comes first) before I start the second set. Never seen any noticeable colour shift or degradation.
Just stored in a box on the garage floor.

Just saying.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T18:21:49-0500

Yeah I don't mind it being called fussy.

But I hang out on the reddit forums a lot as well and at least once a week there will be a story from someone who was happily reusing their developer until one day, within less than six months, they suddenly have a batch turn out totally undeveloped.

I'd rather be fussy than have that happen to me.

gbroadbridge · 2025-11-11T18:34:23-0500

hwy17 said:
Yeah I don't mind it being called fussy.

But I hang out on the reddit forums a lot as well and at least once a week there will be a story from someone who was happily reusing their developer until one day, within less than six months, they suddenly have a batch turn out totally undeveloped.

I'd rather be fussy than have that happen to me.

Whether it is the 1st roll, or the 20th, always, always do a snip test.

Golden rule of C41 at home

Reddit is full of nonsense, posted by wannabees

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T18:37:51-0500

gbroadbridge said:
Whether it is the 1st roll, or the 20th, always, always do a snip test.

And you're calling us fussy! Haha, just kidding.

What does your snip test involve, do you have burner frames that you know you can cut into, or do you just snip a bit below the leader to check for edge markings?

I have not yet ever considered adding a snip test into my workflow. I mean doesn't it involve running the entire development? That seems very time consuming.

MattKing · 2025-11-11T18:47:26-0500

blee1996 said:
Try these 500ml wine bags: air and light tight. And I re-use them as well. You can find them on amazon or ebay.

View attachment 411053

And you will also get the enjoyment of the user reviews, which extol their use for smuggling discount alcohol on to cruise ships by hiding filled ones in people's clothing - apparently even in bras!
People are amazing!
I use something similar to store mixed from powder B&W photo-chemicals.

Spektrum · 2025-11-11T18:53:02-0500

hwy17 said:
What does your snip test involve, do you have burner frames that you know you can cut into, or do you just snip a bit below the leader to check for edge markings?

Just a short video from YouTube and I think it will clear up your doubts.

hwy17 · 2025-11-11T20:38:15-0500

Spektrum said:
Just a short video from YouTube and I think it will clear up your doubts.

Ohhhh.... Thanks

gbroadbridge · 2025-11-11T20:46:09-0500

hwy17 said:
And you're calling us fussy! Haha, just kidding.

What does your snip test involve, do you have burner frames that you know you can cut into, or do you just snip a bit below the leader to check for edge markings?

I have not yet ever considered adding a snip test into my workflow. I mean doesn't it involve running the entire development? That seems very time consuming.

I have a sacrificial roll of Kodak gold 200 (only thing it's good for really) and just clip off a piece and dangle it from a paper clip into the top of the developer bottle. If it's not gone black in 5 mins time to toss the developer.

You don't need to bother with the rest of the process, indeed you do not even need to heat up the bottle to do the test.
Just give it 10 mins to go black if cold.

The bit above about Gold 200 was a joke BTW, it's an okay film. Pic below was developed in the ilford kit yesterday.
Roll number 13 from the 1.25 litre I mixed up 3 months ago. Always poured back into the bottle after using 500ml in the dev tank.

Individual portioned 500ml C41 kit containers

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