Kodak pamphlet J-6 on reversal processing

josephchesshyre · Jan 11, 2018

Does anyone by any chance have a copy of Kodak pamphlet J-6, 'Small Batch Reversal Processing of KODAK B/W Films'? I'd really love to read it but can't find anything online except references to it.

Chris Livsey · Jan 11, 2018

Try this for interest if you have not seen it:

KODAK T-MAX 100 Direct Positive Film Developing Outfit
http://125px.com/docs/unsorted/kodak2/j87.pdf
The earlier film for reversal was Kodak Direct Positive Panchromatic Film 5246
http://www.backglass.org/duncan/apug/kodak_direct_positive_panchromatic_5246.pdf
J-6 is referenced

This 1971 publication is J6:
https://books.google.co.uk/books/ab...romatic_Film.html?id=edFSywAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
http://www.worldcat.org/title/kodak...6-35-mm-formulas-and-processing/oclc/43345841

AgX · Jan 11, 2018

Kodak chose misleading titles containing "direct positive", whereas the texts are about reversal processing.

Chris Livsey · Jan 11, 2018

A discussion on "real" direct positive material is here:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/how-does-direct-positive-film-work.15239/
And I agree on the mis-leading titles used.

My only foray was shooting Agfa Dia-Direct at 12 or 32 iso I think it was, lovely results, filed somewhere.
Like Kodachrome it had a mailer back ISTR.

josephchesshyre · Jan 11, 2018

Chris Livsey said:
Try this for interest if you have not seen it:

KODAK T-MAX 100 Direct Positive Film Developing Outfit
http://125px.com/docs/unsorted/kodak2/j87.pdf

Thanks for these, especially this PDF which contains some useful general advice on reversal processing.

I really want to try and track down J-6. There's barely even a trace of it on ebay or abebooks or indeed The Internet.

Chris Livsey · Jan 11, 2018

josephchesshyre said:
Thanks for these, especially this PDF which contains some useful general advice on reversal processing.

I really want to try and track down J-6. There's barely even a trace of it on ebay or abebooks or indeed The Internet.

Your local library should be able to get a copy tracked down via the National Lending Library for Science and Technology or the British Library, the second link I gave includes the OCLC Number: 43345841 which together with the details already known should make that possible. I have used the service to good effect many times, before I had a personal copy of "The Decisive Moment" I had a library copy on loan, limited time only !!
Failing them you could always ask The National Science and Media Museum at Bradford or approach Kodak direct.

josephchesshyre · Jan 15, 2018

AgX said:
Kodak chose misleading titles containing "direct positive", whereas the texts are about reversal processing.

Looking through the list of references in Grant Haist's chapter on reversal processing, it seems that Kodak used 'direct positive' to mean the product of reversal processing (as opposed to creating an interpositive from a negative), i.e. it is developed 'directly' to a positive image; while they used the distinct term 'autopositive' for film which is pre-fogged etc as described in the thread https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/how-does-direct-positive-film-work.15239/.

AgX · Jan 16, 2018

Yes, the term "direct positiv" was not used consistently throughout the whole industry.
Thank you for explaining why Kodak did so.

guangong · Jan 16, 2018

The current info offered by Kodak on reversal processing of movie film requires a formula containing a chemical almost impossible to purchase in a small amount and developing at extremely high temperatures at very rapid speed...a minute or two at most. All this to be “green”. I use Kodak D19. Ilford has very good sheet on reversal processing that can be downloaded. A reference such as Morgan &Morgan darkroom reference book should contain older information. There was a site from which I downloaded a big load of Kodak reference materials...formulas, etc. Serf Internet and you may find it.

josephchesshyre · Jan 16, 2018

Thanks. I initially followed the Ilford sheet but have now moved on to using this https://www.photrio.com/forum/resources/kodak-b-w-reversal-processing-formulae.191/ whilst keeping some elements of the Ilford procedure (permanganate bleach, washing procedure).

Is this the Kodak reference materials list you speak of http://real-photographs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Kodak_formulary.pdf ?

josephchesshyre · Jul 6, 2019

Just thought I'd follow up on this – I've finally managed to track down a copy which is now on its way from the US! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352344414008.

Depending on whether it's permitted, I'll scan it and post it in the formulas section on here.

iandvaag · Jul 9, 2019

That would be great!

MattKing · Jul 9, 2019

And it certainly is permitted.
I would suggest as well that you contact Tim Gray and ask him if he would like a scan, so he can add a copy to his excellent library of historical Kodak (and other) technical documents at his website: 125px.com.

I believe you can reach him at tgray at 125px.com (be sure to replace " at " with "@").

josephchesshyre · Jul 10, 2019

I will certainly do that and upload to here then!

One thing I don't quite understand is the pamphlet I've ordered is referred to as J-6, and titled 'Kodak Direct Positive Panchromatic film 5246 (35 mm) Formulas and Processing' (and by the way, at least at this point, Kodak used 'direct positive' to mean a reversal-processed positive, as opposed to 'auto-positive' materials), but in many Kodak documents, including for example J-1 'Processing Chemicals & Formulas for Black-and-White Photography', there is a reference to pamphlet J-6 'Small Batch Reversal Processing of Kodak B/W Films'. Why would there be the same reference number with two different (albeit related) titles? It is actually the latter that I was really interested in obtaining but can't seem to get hold of it anywhere. Or perhaps the former title is just an updated version of the latter? Anyone able to shed any light on this?

josephchesshyre · Jul 16, 2019

Well it's arrived, and it's far less extensive than I'd (half) hoped. It's basically just a reversal development recipe and process for a specific Kodak film, which is in fact present more or less in its entirety in Haist's chapter on reversal processing (which I have). I'll upload it nevertheless when I have a mo.

The (possibly earlier?) title of Kodak pamphlet J-6 of 'Small Batch Reversal Processing of Kodak B/W Films' sounded like there would be more general information, but as I say it's basically just instructions for one specific reversal process.

josephchesshyre · Jul 19, 2019

What's the best way of uploading this as a PDF to the Resources section? I can't quite see how to do this. Or does it need to be entered as text?

Tim Gray · Jul 21, 2019

Just found this thread when I was following up an email from Joseph! I just added J-6 to my website and a scan of the 5246 pdf from the backglass website. Thanks!

Kodak pamphlet J-6 on reversal processing

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency