Is c41 really that hard to develop?

[MattKing]

hm. then how do you get your final print out of your negative? Do you get a store to do it for you?

You print it in your darkroom.

Or you get one of the few optically printing labs left print it for you.

Or you ask over at DPUG.ORG about your other options (be sure to mention your budget).

 

[wblynch]

Welcome to APUG. Although they're not as unfriendly about "electronic enlargers" as they used to be.

Of course, it is only because of scanners that film still lives at all. Especially color.

But for now, you'll need to go elsewhere to talk about them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have used http://www.goldencolor.com/ for custom color printing but I heard that they are closed. There are many other all optical photo processors in the Hollywood California area.

 

[RPC]

Of course, it is only because of scanners that film still lives at all. Especially color.

I don't know about that. I think if one couldn't scan there would just be a lot more printing (color & b&w, both are easy) going on in darkrooms, or in labs, and projecting of slides, in my opinion the best ways to use film.

Also, has has been discussed here before, the motion picture industry is what really keeps it alive.

 

[Nodda Duma]

I'm following this thread with interest. Developing color negatives is my own "last frontier" since I already do B&W film and print and color print.

If developing by hand, do you guys recommend a separate developing tank from what you use for B&W?

 

[Roger Cole]

If you can do black and white film and make color prints you will have zero problems developing color film.

What I did pre-Jobo was get a big wash tub of water at or about the right temperature. I put my developer (first developer and color developer for E6) in thoroughly rinsed aluminum cans (just for the duration of processing, not for storage!) because they transmit temperature so much better. Thermometer in the can, run hot or cool water over the can as needed until temperature is just right, pour in tank and leave tank in holding bath between agitation. Never had a problem. I admit the Jobo makes it an even easier no brainer though.

 

[removed account4]

OP
no i haven't done it, but from all i have read
it is a piece of cake to process your own color ..
my reason for not doing it is because i don't have
a set in place disposal plan for colour chemistry.
if i can make a suggestion ...
find a lab nearby to you and ask them if you can
give them your spent/used photo chemicals,
give them a few dollars as a "thanks" so you don't pour
them down the drain. while you may read posts here
there and everywhere that it is ok to do that, it really isn't that OK ..

 

[EdSawyer]

I keep my B&W and Color film developing stuff separate. Mostly since it just worked out that way, but I think it's a good idea to avoid cross-contamination that way too.

Doing by hand is not too bad, but a processor makes it super easy. It's just like any appliance (dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) - load it up and let it go, and it beeps when it's done. ;-)

 

[RPC]

while you may read posts here
there and everywhere that it is ok to do that, it really isn't that OK ..

As has been discussed here before, the small amounts that home users pour down their drains really causes no harm to septic systems or sewer systems. Home darkroom workers have been doing it for years all over the world; show me a documented case where it can be shown that it caused a problem to a properly built and operating system.

Of course one can still find another way to dispose of them if one wishes.

 

[bvy]

I keep my B&W and Color film developing stuff separate. Mostly since it just worked out that way, but I think it's a good idea to avoid cross-contamination that way too.

If you develop and fix in the same tank, then there's no real cross contamination risk from processing black and white and color in the same tank. Cleanliness is key. I rinse everything with hot (140F) water within minutes after any developing session. The wetting agent/stabilizer is the chemical most likely to ruin tanks and reels.

 

[removed account4]

As has been discussed here before, the small amounts that home users pour down their drains really causes no harm to septic systems or sewer systems. Home darkroom workers have been doing it for years all over the world; show me a documented case where it can be shown that it caused a problem to a properly built and operating system.

Of course one can still find another way to dispose of them if one wishes.

it has been discussed here before. and the kodak's j-300 publication which is usually linked to
and quoted is tired and old and it is a shame people keep quoting from it because ...
while kodak originally suggested it was OK to pour photographic waste down the drain
in publication AK-3 ( 2005 ) their stand was revised.

page 7:

• Properly dispose of photographic processing chemicals in accordance with local sewer discharge regulations.
Kodak does not recommend the use of septic systems for disposal of photographic processing chemicals.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf

whether one processes 1000 rolls a week, or 1 roll a month, it is best to find out what local regulations are before dumping down the drain.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'm following this thread with interest. Developing color negatives is my own "last frontier" since I already do B&W film and print and color print.

If developing by hand, do you guys recommend a separate developing tank from what you use for B&W?

There is no reason to have separate developing tanks as long as you clean the tank out after every use, which you should be doing anyway.

 

[Roger Cole]

Oh no, here we go again.

 

[RPC]

it has been discussed here before. and the kodak's j-300 publication which is usually linked to
and quoted is tired and old and it is a shame people keep quoting from it because ...
while kodak originally suggested it was OK to pour photographic waste down the drain
in publication AK-3 ( 2005 ) their stand was revised.

page 7:

• Properly dispose of photographic processing chemicals in accordance with local sewer discharge regulations.
Kodak does not recommend the use of septic systems for disposal of photographic processing chemicals.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/ak3/ak3.pdf

whether one processes 1000 rolls a week, or 1 roll a month, it is best to find out what local regulations are before dumping down the drain.

Yes, of course they say it. They must protect themselves from liability in case somebody claims Kodak chemistry harmed their system. Again, I would like to see documented cases.

 

[Sirius Glass]

As has been discussed here before, the small amounts that home users pour down their drains really causes no harm to septic systems or sewer systems. Home darkroom workers have been doing it for years all over the world; show me a documented case where it can be shown that it caused a problem to a properly built and operating system.

Of course one can still find another way to dispose of them if one wishes.

+1

I use a silver recovery device for the hypo.

 

[removed account4]

Yes, of course they say it. They must protect themselves from liability in case somebody claims Kodak chemistry harmed their system. Again, I would like to see documented cases.

rpc
it has nothing to do with protecting themselves, it is because they are suggesting people comply with federal and local laws.
im not going to argue with you, ( at least in the us ) federal laws mandate one does not dump more than 5 parts per million silver down the drain
local municipalities mandate other levels some more some less than 5 parts / million.
if you don't like the laws contact your local governemnt officials, arguing with me isn't really going to do much seeing there really isn't anything to argue about ... its bad form suggesting someone just dump their waste down the drain ...
it reminds me of the woman who used to hang out here who suggested selenium toner was harmless because
it was in vitamins .. unfortunately people read it and they believe it.

 

[Sirius Glass]

rpc
it has nothing to do with protecting themselves, it is because they are suggesting people comply with federal and local laws.
im not going to argue with you, ( at least in the us ) federal laws mandate one does not dump more than 5 parts per million silver down the drain
local municipalities mandate other levels some more some less than 5 parts / million.
if you don't like the laws contact your local governemnt officials, arguing with me isn't really going to do much seeing there really isn't anything to argue about ... its bad form suggesting someone just dump their waste down the drain ...
it reminds me of the woman who used to hang out here who suggested selenium toner was harmless because
it was in vitamins .. unfortunately people read it and they believe it.

I did not say to ignore the applicable laws. There is a electronic and chemical waste disposal sites nearby me at UCLA that I use as required. California requires electronics be taken to state mandated electronic and chemical recycle/disposal sites which are set up in convenient locations. There services are free.

 

[RPC]

rpc
it has nothing to do with protecting themselves, it is because they are suggesting people comply with federal and local laws.
im not going to argue with you, ( at least in the us ) federal laws mandate one does not dump more than 5 parts per million silver down the drain
local municipalities mandate other levels some more some less than 5 parts / million.
if you don't like the laws contact your local governemnt officials, arguing with me isn't really going to do much seeing there really isn't anything to argue about ... its bad form suggesting someone just dump their waste down the drain ...
it reminds me of the woman who used to hang out here who suggested selenium toner was harmless because
it was in vitamins .. unfortunately people read it and they believe it.

Don't put words in my mouth, I never said anything about not liking any laws. But, show me that anything I or anybody puts down the drain actually violates any laws.

If people are worried about laws they can deal with that. I am saying that if one chooses to put chemistry down the drain, the evidence (or lack of it) shows that no harm will occur.

 

[pentaxuser]

Oh no, here we go again.

Yes see my quote in the "to dilute or not to dilute" thread, Roger.

pentaxuser

 

[removed account4]

Don't put words in my mouth, I never said anything about not liking any laws. But, show me that anything I or anybody puts down the drain actually violates any laws.

If people are worried about laws they can deal with that. I am saying that if one chooses to put chemistry down the drain, the evidence (or lack of it) shows that no harm will occur.

im saying kodak revised their published guidelines
to comply with federal / state / local laws and if you don't like
the laws to contact your local officials. it has nothing to do with
your ideas that flushing a bacteriacide into a septic system will not
kill the beneficial bacteria ...

 

[removed account4]

[...] But, show me that anything I or anybody puts down the drain actually violates any laws.

sorry, i can't help you ...
your local water/sewer commission or state dem/epa should be able to help you.
if you are outside the usa i am sure there are local agencies that are equipt to answer your questions.