Kodak C-41SM Developer

[mtjade2007]

I have accumulated about 20 rolls of 220 films to be developed. So I decided to give my Jobo Autolab 2300 a run. I need to start with fresh C-41 developer so I went to my favorite store to pick up a Kodak C-41 developer as I always did in the past. Well, this time I anticipated that the gallon sized C-41 developer being discontinued and there should be something that replaces it.

Sure there is at the store. It's a small package wrapped in a plastic bag called C-41SM developer at $13 plus tax. The salesman at the store said for the same price I will get twice as much tank solution as before and it's sure renamed as C-41SM. I paid for it and took it home.

When I opened the plastic bag and read the labels carefully then I realized that it makes 2 liters of tank solution. Oh my god, what the hack is that?????? The one I used to get at about the same price 6 months ago made 1 gallon. Now this new thing makes only a half of that. No wonder it's called C-41SM. It means C-41 Small!!!! After reading a few threads about the discontinuation of the gallon sized developer the answer finally came out that it is now replaced by one that makes half of the gallon sized package but at the same price and is called C-41SM(ALL).

Frankly I am not only disappointed. I can only described it as angry. This is obviously a progressive effort from Kodak to push film lovers off the cliff to kill films eventually. No, they are killing their chemical sales first. This will be my last purchase (the first too) of this sized developer. At this size I can do only 3 rolls of 220 film. If I count bleach, fixer and final rinse chemicals I bet my cost of processing each roll will be no less than $13. No wonder the store salesman said there has been very few sales ever since it came out. I anticipate that there will be no sales, at least not from me, for the future months to come.

In my eyes Kodak is heading toward toilet indeed. All I have heard in recent two years they are sure going that way. What a pity!

 

[Lopaka]

Buy the 5 gal developer/replenisher. It needs starter to make tank solution, but even in my once and dump usage (you can mix it as needed, after a little calculation exercise) it works out to less than $2/liter.

Bob

 

[Lopaka]

See discussion here:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[nworth]

I'm not sure what the packaging for Kodak C-41SM developer is, but if it is bottled, you can mix up lesser quantities. The unused stock solution will keep quite a long time. Kodak lists mixing instructions for less than full container amounts somewhere for its color processing chemicals. For E-6, it's on the box. For C-41, I recall seeing it on their web site. If all else fails, the amount in the bottle(s) is usually listed on the label, and you can proportion accordingly.

 

[mtjade2007]

Well, this C-41SM developer is packaged in a plastic bag. The bag is taped up by a piece of packaging tape. This is really weired. It's not boxed. There are 3 chemical bottles each with a Kodak label that shows part A, B and C and is to make a 2 liters of developer. At 2 liter there is really no need to mix a smaller portion of it. This really makes me wonder why Kodak discontinued the gallon sized one and replaces it with one that makes only 2 liters then sells it at the same price. The name C-41SM means SMALL to me. It is the same thing but with a half of the juice as before. I can not understand why Kodak did something like this. If they needs to raise the price then raise the price. Don't tell people that it is C-41SM which makes you think it is a different product. It is a same product as before but at a half of quantity of the juice at the same price. This is really counter productive. It tells people to forget about trying to process films at home.

BTW, the store begins to sell Fuji chemicals. I saw on their shelf big boxes of Fuji brand RA-4 chemical kits. I did not check the price and the size of the kit. I do not print RA-4 any more. But this was the first time I ever saw Fuji chemicals in a photographic supply store. I think Fuji brand C-41 chemicals may begin to show up there soon. If this happens I think Kodak probably will have little chance to win.

 

[pelerin]

Well, this C-41SM developer is packaged in a plastic bag. The bag is taped up by a piece of packaging tape. This is really weired. It's not boxed.

Hi,
The stuff does come boxed. One box is six mixes (i.e., a total of 18 bottles). The store has broken the case down so that you do not have to buy 6 mixes (the minimum increment that Kodak sells).

There are 3 chemical bottles each with a Kodak label that shows part A, B and C and is to make a 2 liters of developer. At 2 liter there is really no need to mix a smaller portion of it. This really makes me wonder why Kodak discontinued the gallon sized one and replaces it with one that makes only 2 liters then sells it at the same price. The name C-41SM means SMALL to me. It is the same thing but with a half of the juice as before. I can not understand why Kodak did something like this. If they needs to raise the price then raise the price. Don't tell people that it is C-41SM which makes you think it is a different product. It is a same product as before but at a half of quantity of the juice at the same price. This is really counter productive. It tells people to forget about trying to process films at home.

<SNIP>

SM chemistry was not introduced as a replacement for the 1 gallon c41. "SM" refers to particular design for commercial photo processing equipment and the product was in place prior to the demise of the 1 gallon box. They are recommending this product as a replacement for the 1 gallon c41 simply because it mixes directly to tank solution.
Celac

 

[mtjade2007]

Well, this makes more sense. Thanks for pointing that out. The store probably breaks up the original package (boxed) then sells each one set out of the 6 sets separately at $13 each. It is not how Kodak intended to sell the SM developer. I would rather buy the whole box than 1/6th of the box at a time. I think I will do what Bob suggested. I will look for starter/replenisher to buy elsewhere.

 

[pelerin]

Well, this makes more sense. Thanks for pointing that out. The store probably breaks up the original package (boxed) then sells each one set out of the 6 sets separately at $13 each. It is not how Kodak intended to sell the SM developer. I would rather buy the whole box than 1/6th of the box at a time. I think I will do what Bob suggested. I will look for starter/replenisher to buy elsewhere.

Hi,
...or just ask the dealer to order it for you.
Kodak Flexicolor developer replenisher / To make 5 gal #191 9042
Kodak Flexicolor developer starter / To make 17.75 gal #195 3009
MOQ given as one each

The shoot lots of film to burn through all that developer.
Celac

 

[Zathras]

Hi,
...or just ask the dealer to order it for you.
Kodak Flexicolor developer replenisher / To make 5 gal #191 9042
Kodak Flexicolor developer starter / To make 17.75 gal #195 3009
MOQ given as one each

The shoot lots of film to burn through all that developer.
Celac

Hey Celac,

How long does the Flexicolor developer replenisher last when it is mixed as a replenisher and stored in full amber glass bottles?

Thanks,

Mike Sullivan


PS, are you working on Monday? If you are, let me know and I'll stop by for the D5 stuff.

 

[pelerin]

Hey Celac,

How long does the Flexicolor developer replenisher last when it is mixed as a replenisher and stored in full amber glass bottles?

Thanks,

Mike Sullivan


PS, are you working on Monday? If you are, let me know and I'll stop by for the D5 stuff.

Hi Mike,
Sorry I missed your post. I will check with Kodak and get an official report on your question. I will send a PM on the schedule.
Best.

Celac