Kodak Ektacolor RA4 Developer

[thefizz]

Has anyone used this developer in open trays at room temperature?

Here's a link: http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/kodak-ra4-developer-kit-4x5l-295-p.asp

It's just surprising that they say it can be used in trays as well as machines as I always thought they required different developers. It looks amazing value compared to the Fotospeed room temperature dev I've always used.

 

[perkeleellinen]

You may find this thread useful:

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

 

[Photo Engineer]

It does not say that room temperature can be used with this particular kit. In fact, it probably cannot. I have found that I had to use the REPLENISHER straight for room temperature processing. So, the developer itself may yield lower contrast. IDK.

PE

 

[thefizz]

Thanks PE, any views on Fotospeed's RA4 kit? Is it similar to the Tetenal kit which got a lot of bad comments in the thread which perkeleellinen linked above.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I can't comment as I have not used it.

I can generalize and say that many second party kits do not perform as well as Kodak and Fuji-Hunt kits, and that so called room temperature kits are overpriced when the regular replenisher, done right, will do the job. I can also say that single part kits from many sources have gotten bad reputations as posted here on APUG.

PE

 

[nickandre]

Just go with the kodak stuff. I've heard you can play with the dilutions to get it working right, maybe use less water? I would try it. You've got nothing to lose.

 

[Bob F.]

Just tripped over this thread while searching for something else. That kit appears to be the European version of the RA-RT chemicals and can be used at room temperature in the same way as described in various places by PE for the RA-RT kit - I have done so, as have a few others in the UK.

Have fun.

 

[thefizz]

Yes I have since purchased it form ag-photographic and it works great, both at room temperature for 2 minutes and in my recently acquired heated nova slot processor for 1 minute.

Plus its way cheaper than the Fotospeed kit I have used in the past.

 

[hrst]

I think the one AG Photographic sells is just the correct RT/LU replenisher which works in room temperature well. CAT 529 2396 Developer Replenisher RT/LU. I'm using it at 23...25C, and at least it works perfectly well! I used Tetenal room temp kit before. This KODAK stuff gives a very little bit lower contrast (which is good). Color filtration is same. I'm developing for 2 minutes at 23C. With Tetenal kit I used 1 minute as instructed.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've used the Fotospeed version with fine success. Thought wet-printing color seems like a doomed enterprise these days.

 

[pentaxuser]

I have had a good look around and as far as I can see Ag-photographic is the best value Kodak RA4 chems in the U.K. It's best on a few other things and pretty good on most of the rest.

pentaxuser

 

[MartinP]

I have approached a few possible outlets (near me, East of NL, and in Antwerp) looking to buy the Kodak chemicals and come up with nothing practical.

Does anyone know of a Dutch stockist that will sell without needing a laboratory account as the buyer, or is it necessary to approach mini-labs waving Euros in the air ?? (Or import from AG photographic in UK).

 

[O HanraHanrahan]

Yes I have since purchased it form ag-photographic and it works great, both at room temperature for 2 minutes and in my recently acquired heated nova slot processor for 1 minute.

Plus its way cheaper than the Fotospeed kit I have used in the past.

Hi, You said it worked at room temperature, did you have to use the replenisher for it to work?
And do you know if it works ok at room temperature with Fuji CA papers? Thanks.

 

[thefizz]

Yes it works fine with Fuji CA paper. Replenishing in trays I'm not sure about, I think another apug member said there was no need but I'm open to correction.

 

[darkroom_rookie]

I have approached a few possible outlets (near me, East of NL, and in Antwerp) looking to buy the Kodak chemicals and come up with nothing practical.

Does anyone know of a Dutch stockist that will sell without needing a laboratory account as the buyer, or is it necessary to approach mini-labs waving Euros in the air ?? (Or import from AG photographic in UK).

Can't imagine finding Kodak RA-4 RT/LU developer (Made in China by Wuxi) to be very difficult in Holland. I simply buy it at the local Kodak distributor over here in Zagreb, Croatia, costs about 60 Euros. That gets me a box with four kits (i.e., 12 bottles).

 

[MartinP]

Thanks for the tip. It seemed that they were reluctant here without an account being made, so I bought from AG with a load of other stuff in the same parcel. It works well