Kodak Colour Paper Starter Kit

[Snapshot]

Hi All,

I am considering doing some colour prints and I am trying to determine what chemical products I need. It's my understanding I will need RA-4 chemcials and specifically I will need a developer, a stop bath and a bleach-fixer. I have the fortune of being a "stone's throw" away from a wholesaler of Kodak chemicals and they have all sorts of chemicals with product numbers. I am essentially looking to see what products I need from them to begin doing colour prints.

Unfortunately, I was not able to glean what I need from Kodak's website for a beginner (e.g. low volume of chemicals). Ideally, if someone could supply me with the product number for the kit or for individual, I can order it from them with confidence. The folks at this place were not very helpful and do not know the sizes as they generally ship by product number.

Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[Photo Engineer]

I use RA-RT developer replenisher for the developer. It comes in 5 and 10L kits. I mix as directed and use no starter. I use it from 68 degrees F to 100 degrees F. The working solution lasts at least 6 months in a full closed bottle, but about 4 - 8 weeks in a partially full bottle.

For stop bath I use 2% acetic acid.

For blix I use Kodak RA-RT blix which comes in two parts, the red Iron salt and the hypo part. Mix as needed. This keeps in opened stock bottles for about 1 - 2 years, while the dilute working solution lasts about 6 months.

PE

 

[Nick Zentena]

Who is this supplier in Toronto?

If you go to the Kodak website and download the RA-4 documents my choice would be the stuff that doesn't need a starter.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Nick, the RA-RT developer replenisher can be used without a starter.

PE

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Nick, the RA-RT developer replenisher can be used without a starter.

PE

PE, you have mentioned this several times, and I want to ask "why?". What makes this developer replenisher different in a way that doesn't require a starter? ....and What does a starter in RA-4, E-6 and C-41 chemistry "do" anyway? I have always used chemicals that required a starter. My personal experience with color developers that required a starter, (to make working solution) used without a starter give results that are not acceptable.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Because:

1. The paper is less sensitive to replenishment due to having no interimage and edge effects.

2. The paper essentially goes to completion.

3. In a one-shot process (tray, drum, etc) where seasoning isn't important, when you balance the print they will be the same. With film, that is not the case. The ambient light is the 'balance'.

PE

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Because:

1. The paper is less sensitive to replenishment due to having no interimage and edge effects.

2. The paper essentially goes to completion.

3. In a one-shot process (tray, drum, etc) where seasoning isn't important, when you balance the print they will be the same. With film, that is not the case. The ambient light is the 'balance'.

PE

OK, so you are not saying that RA-RT developer replenisher (in a large volume situation where identical repeatability is required) should not use "starter" when mixing up initial tank, but that in small volume amateur type situations used as a fresh one-shot where the color balance can be set anywhere, then one doesn't need to use starter? Am I correct in interpreting you words to the effect that the color balance will be "different" without starter, but easily balanced back to neutral within the range of a normal dichoric color head?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yes, that is what I said.

You must use starter in a continuous process.

PE

 

[Snapshot]

Who is this supplier in Toronto?

If you go to the Kodak website and download the RA-4 documents my choice would be the stuff that doesn't need a starter.

I downloaded the Kodak information and it was helpful but I was looking for confirmation by users. The local supplier is Phototrader, located near Langstaff and Dufferin street in Vaughan.

I purchased the following from them:

- Kodak Ektacolor RA Paper Developer (ID: 1478817)
- Kodak Ektacolor Bleach/Fix (ID: 8915753)

The cost was about $32 CDN, which isn't expensive in my book. Thanks everyone for your input.