kodak c-41 stabilizer in jobo...still a no-no?

[frotog]

Just wanting to weigh in w/ fellow apugers regarding the topic of adverse chemical build-up on jobo reels and tanks as a result of using c-41 stabilizer. In the past it was recommended that one stabilize film outside of the tanks. I'm assuming that this was due to the fact that that formalin and the jobo plastics don't get along. But now that kodak has drastically reduced the amount of formalin in their stabilizer is this precaution still necessary? I've just begun doing c-41 in my cpp and I'm finding it somewhat inconvenient to take film out of the tank and off the reels inorder to stabilize.

 

[Mick Fagan]

The reason I don't use the Jobo for the stabiliser bath is foaming.

The surfactant just foams up and makes an unholy mess.

I just remove the tank and pull the reels apart and place one film at a time in the stabiliser bath.

As I only develop 4 x C41 rolls at a time this isn't a problem, if on the other hand you are doing many rolls it could be a chore, but I doubt it.

Mick.

 

[David Louis]

I'm not sure if you are using the same process as I, but here goes. I use a JOBO CPP-2 and Kodak's 1 gallon c-41 kit which consists of 4 steps: developer, bleach, fix, and final rinse. There is no stabilizing step in this kit. Rather, a non-formaldehyde based stabilizer has been incorporated somehow into the developer or bleach…I can't remember which. Anyway, there is no formaldehyde in the final step. It’s simply a rinse step that contains a wetting agent to reduce streaking. Wetting agents are a no-no for the JOBO reels and drums. They cause nasty bubbling as Mike noted, and some build-up problems, according to JOBO. So, even though there is no formaldehyde I still follow JOBO’s recommendation and avoid using their reels and drums with the final rinse step because of the wetting agent. Actually I just use water only at the end because the final step doesn’t do anything to the film except inhibit spotting. If your water gives you a spotting problem to the extent that you need to use the final rinse step, then you should do it off-reel.

 

[Photo Engineer]

The final rinse contains a proprietary non-formalin stabilzer.

It is the photo flo that foams in the final bath by any name.

I take the drum off the Jobo after the final wash and dump in the stabilzer and agitate gently. Then I hang the film to dry. Finally I wash the reels and tank and lid with very hot running water to remove all of the stabilizer which is mainly photo flo.

If you omit the final rinse or stabilzer, your film can still degrade. Part of the function of the final rinse is to act as a fungicide and bacteriocide.

PE

 

[David Louis]

Thanks PE! From now on I'll give my film a shot in the final rinse off processor.

 

[hka]

I do it the way, PE and Mick is doing, for over 35 years with the same reels and cleaning and scrubbing them carefully with water.

 

[frotog]

Can you substitute photoflo for c-41 final rinse? It sounds as though many of you do not heed Jobo's recommendation that photo-flo and final rinse be done outside of their reels and tanks. Does this mean that the so-called "build-up" or residue is non-existent and/or harmless?

 

[Photo Engineer]

No, there is formalin or a proprietary stabilzer in the final rinse.

The build up is due to poor washing.

PE

 

[Nick Zentena]

I like doing it outside the tanks because that leaves me with clean tanks and reels.

It's not that hard for me to use a big tub and rock the film in it. Currently using a gallon ice cream tub.

 

[frotog]

Well that settles it! Final wash by hand, on the reels and in the tank, followed by a thorough washing of tank and reels. Thanks everybody!