Kodak Ultratec UGF - Gimme Pointers

kb244 · Jun 29, 2006

Ok my co-worker gave me a 150 foot roll of some Kodak Ultratec UGF film to play with, it is an extremely high contrast orthochromatic film.

If anyone has some pointers on how to use this film let me know.

I currently use primarily Kodak HC-110 for developer ( tho got some microphen stashed away, and I got some D-76 that hasnt been cooked up yet ).

Neal · Jun 29, 2006

Dear Karl,

I would try Technidol at half the normal strength and develop by inspection.

Neal Wydra

kb244 · Jun 29, 2006

Neal said:
Dear Karl,

I would try Technidol at half the normal strength and develop by inspection.

Neal Wydra

I'm thinking since its orthochromatic, I could just develop 6 frame strips in a tray and watch for it under a safelight. I'd prefer to see if I can use what I got to make it work, rather than having to 'buy' some more stuff, especially stuff I cant just pick up locally.

nworth · Jun 30, 2006

As you have probably discovered, Kodak no longer lists this film on its website. From what is there, I guess this is a high contrast, projection speed imagesetter film. The website for the current stuff suggests RA2100 and Kodalith processing. You're right - high contrast. To experiment, I would cut and load a few short (maybe 10 exposure) strips of film. First try to determine an approximate film speed by shooting some standardized test frames at various EIs. My guess is that the stuff is pretty slow, something like a fast enlarging paper. Develop the tests normally in some familiar developer. If you are trying for continuous tones, you might try D-76, HC-110, or whatever you normally use. Once you have a speed, you can try taming the contrast. The low contrast speed may be somewhat less than what you determined in your speed tests, so you still will need a range of exposures in your test shots. The usual low contrast document film developers (Technidol, SPUR, POTA, etc.) are candidates, as are regular compensating developers at high dilutions (e.g D-23 at 1+5). Good luck.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

Well I already know the film speed, its ASA 10. What I'll probally do is shoot several exposures and such to get an idea of development time itself combined with looking for some actual tone.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

According to the little peice of paper.
Kodak UltraTec UGF / UGF7 Film
*An extremely high contrast, orthochromatic film.
*For graphic arts line, halftone, and contact applications.
*Dimensionally stable 4-mil (0.10 mm) Estar Base or 7-mil (0.18 mm) Estar Thick Base.
*Compatible with other Kodak Ultratec Products in easy-to-use Kodak UltraTec Developer and Replenisher (for machine processing) or Kodak Ultratec Tray Developer.
Safelight Use a Kodak 1A Safelight Filter / light red in a suitable safelight lamp equipped with a 15-watt bulb. Keep the film at least 4 feet (1.2 metres) from the safelight.

Exposure
Relative Expsoure Index.
To Emulsion ------ Pulsed-Xenon Arc [ASA 10 / DIN 11] ----- Tungsten or Quartz-Iodine [ASA 10/ DIN 11].

Exposure Example
Pulsed-Xenon Arc: For a same-size (1:1) line reproduction, exposing with two 1500-watt pulsed-xenon arc lamps at 3 feet (0.9 metre) from the center of the copyboard use a trial exposure of 8 seconds at f/22.

....

then it goes on to say that you develop it in Kodak Ultratec @ 68F/20C for 2 3/4 minutes. Rinse with kodak indicator stop bath, then with Kodak Stop Bath SB-1a.And says to use Kodak Ultratec Fixer and Replenisher with a note "Do NOT use any type of hardener in the fixer." ( I use ilford rapid fixer , not sure if that has a hardener in it ).

Neal · Jun 30, 2006

Dear Karl,

"...develop 6 frame strips in a tray and watch for it under a safelight."

Good plan. I find using a white tray to be easier for this.

"I'd prefer to see if I can use what I got..."

Go for it. I have used highly diluted (1:6) Xtol and ortho/litho film but the Technidol seemed to do a better job. Having used C-31 Flexicolor developer for Technical Pan it is also a likely candidate and is certainly easier to get.

Good luck, Neal Wydra

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

I have a white tray.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

Neal said:
Dear Karl,

"...develop 6 frame strips in a tray and watch for it under a safelight."

Good plan. I find using a white tray to be easier for this.

"I'd prefer to see if I can use what I got..."

Go for it. I have used highly diluted (1:6) Xtol and ortho/litho film but the Technidol seemed to do a better job. Having used C-31 Flexicolor developer for Technical Pan it is also a likely candidate and is certainly easier to get.

Good luck, Neal Wydra

I'd imagine if I do several strips in a tray, I can pull a strip out at certain inteval times from the first moment I See something forming. This way even if my eyes may deceive me I'd have say upto 5 strips within 30 seconds or a minute between them to scan and compare the actual results.

lowellh · Jun 30, 2006

This is an out of date, graphic arts film. It requires specially designed developer to process. Processing time is 30-36 seconds at 100f. I don't have any chemistry remaining but could make some up if there is interest.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

lowellh said:
This is an out of date, graphic arts film. It requires specially designed developer to process. Processing time is 30-36 seconds at 100f. I don't have any chemistry remaining but could make some up if there is interest.

What would that entail? also according to the paper it came with, says bout 2-3 minutes at 68F.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

I see theres an ingredient list here.

http://www.holycross.edu/departments/dos/website/public_safety/KODAKUTD.HTM

============================================
Ingredients/Identity Information
============================================
Ingredient: WATER
Ingredient Sequence Number: 01
Percent: 80-85
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: ZC0110000
CAS Number: 7732-18-5

-------------------------------------
Ingredient: TRIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
Ingredient Sequence Number: 02
Percent: 5-10
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: 1004041TP
CAS Number: 7778-53-2

-------------------------------------
Ingredient: SODIUM SULFITE
Ingredient Sequence Number: 03
Percent: 5-10
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: WE2150000
CAS Number: 7757-83-7

-------------------------------------
Ingredient: HYDROQUINONE (SARA III)
Ingredient Sequence Number: 04
Percent: 3
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: MX3500000
CAS Number: 123-31-9

-------------------------------------
Ingredient: SODIUM HYDROXIDE (SARA III)
Ingredient Sequence Number: 05
Percent: 1-5
NIOSH (RTECS) Number: WB4900000
CAS Number: 1310-73-2

I wonder if they do the percentage by volume or weight.

lowellh · Jun 30, 2006

Yes, it can be developed in a tray. It does require the special chemistry to develop it.

kb244 · Jun 30, 2006

I wonder how I can get ahold of the special chemistry if it will not work with anything else.

Harrigan · Jun 30, 2006

I've shot plenty of ortho graphic arts film in the landscape but never this type. I would recommend trying some in d76 1:4 68 degrees for 6-7 minutes and adjust from there. You may find that its old and will most likely require exposure at iso 3 or 6. If you use the developer recommended for this film you are going to get super contrasty negs, which are ok for effect but not real usable for normal looking imagery.

Kodak Ultratec UGF - Gimme Pointers

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