Mixing films in C41

chorleyjeff · Jan 30, 2007

I have Fuji Superia 100 and 1600 and XP2 ready for developing.
There is a warning bell in my head that I should either not mix different speed films in the same developer (I use Paterson but am likely to move to Nova or another make) or put the higher speed film through first or last; and that XP2 and colour film should not be processed in the same developer.
Can anyone offer advice please on best practice?
Cheers
Jeff

PHOTOTONE · Jan 30, 2007

When you take your films to a commercial processor, they feed all C-41 film into the machine in pairs of two, regardless of what the ISO is. I do not think there is anything to be concerned about. If it is C-41, then process it all at once. I can't speak for XP2, only to say that it is also designed to process in C-41 so should not be adversely affected by being processed along with other C-41 films.

bob100684 · Jan 30, 2007

C-41 is c-41. I've done xp2 two ways, once my 10 rolls were the first rolls through our newly installed film proscessor(after controll strips of course) and now they go through all the time, sometimes even spliced to the same leader card as another film. No differences on my xp2 are seen.

chorleyjeff · Jan 30, 2007

Thanks for the reassuring replies. That's one less thing to worry about!
Cheers
Jeff

srs5694 · Feb 2, 2007

For the most part, I concur with the earlier posters; however, I've also read that there can be subtle effects of mixing different brands or types of C-41 film together because each brand and type has its own unique chemical composition, and some of this will come out and (potentially) affect the way the other films develop. I've never seen any claims that this effect is likely to be big, though; my impression is that it'd be small enough that you'd need to do controlled laboratory tests, or at least have a very keen eye, to discern the differences. Thus, I wouldn't worry about it.

PHOTOTONE · Feb 2, 2007

srs5694 said:
For the most part, I concur with the earlier posters; however, I've also read that there can be subtle effects of mixing different brands or types of C-41 film together because each brand and type has its own unique chemical composition, and some of this will come out and (potentially) affect the way the other films develop. I've never seen any claims that this effect is likely to be big, though; my impression is that it'd be small enough that you'd need to do controlled laboratory tests, or at least have a very keen eye, to discern the differences. Thus, I wouldn't worry about it.

IF this were true, and I am not saying it isn't, then it would only be a concern for those of you who are trying to develop in the minimum volume of solution you can. If you are developing in a full tank of solution, or a deep tank of 3.5 gallon (like I do) then the volume of solution would minimize any possible intereffects.

chorleyjeff · Feb 2, 2007

srs5694 said:
For the most part, I concur with the earlier posters; however, I've also read that there can be subtle effects of mixing different brands or types of C-41 film together because each brand and type has its own unique chemical composition, and some of this will come out and (potentially) affect the way the other films develop. I've never seen any claims that this effect is likely to be big, though; my impression is that it'd be small enough that you'd need to do controlled laboratory tests, or at least have a very keen eye, to discern the differences. Thus, I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for the reply. My, completely unscientific, reasoning assumed what you said to be the case and I am pleased my fears were unfounded.
Cheers
Jeff

Mixing films in C41

chorleyjeff

PHOTOTONE

bob100684

chorleyjeff

srs5694

PHOTOTONE

chorleyjeff

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