Nova ProSpeed C-41 Kit

According to the Nova Darkroom website, this kit will only last for 14-16 days once mixed, but I've read quite a lot on the Internet about people using it for much longer (providing they keep the air out), and quite a few of them are using it considerably past its 12 film capacity, apparently with out any ill effects.

Does anyone here have any experience with this kit and are able to shed some light on this?

Thanks, Kieran

Not tried it myself but the Digibase kit lasts OK in half full bottles.
I've just done a second run in chemicals which are 14 days old, stored in half full bottles, and the results were perfect.

I have used this kit many years ago and my memory is getting hazy but I am as sure as I can be that I never used it all in 14-16 days and I am absolutely sure that it developed all the films I used it for perfectly.

Unless its constituent parts are very different from other powder kits I see no reason why it shouldn't last much longer than 14-16 days. Indeed I think that currently Nova shoots itself in the foot by not experimenting to see how long the kit will last in liquid form and then re-issuing the guidelines.

You could save up a few films then process in 2-3 days to get your money's worth then try processing at weekly or fortnightly intervals by making the first 3-4 frames "throw-away" and clip testing, then developing the rest of the film until the clip test goes wrong. That way you get to establish the shelf life of the kit, including the blix.

Once liquidised keep in bottles with little or no air and if you have to have some air then use protectan.

In powder form of course, each kit's life is virtually indefinite.

Best of luck

pentaxuser