Poll on Color Processing

[JWMster]

I've done tons of Portra using Tetenal, Arista and Unicolor kits. While I have no complaints about the results and really didn't see much difference between them, YMMV. Mostly I noticed that it was much easier and more consistent with a Jobo than I guess I'd expected to the point that I tend to agree with those who suggest that C41 developing is actually easier than B&W. That's another matter... and truth be told B&W has gotten easier and easier, and more reliable as my confidence rose and my variables declined (D-23 kind of a guy these days). In any case, PE would encourage me to use Kodak's separate Bleach and Stabilizer rather than BLIX, and I'll have to raise a glass to his memory when I finally do... which will happen one day... maybe soon.... and a 2nd glass if I can actually say, "Hmmm ...I see what you mean." That's been true for most of the recommendations found here... so thanks guys! You've all helped more than you know.

But I was reading here the other day where someone wrote "most here use Flexcolor" I wondered whether or not that was true... as these C41 kits work pretty doggone easy ...and the results nothing to be embarrassed about. FWIW, I've read our friend Karl Abbott's piece on Flexcolor on his web page and I'm impressed maybe this is a path to follow. I'm sure there's more to learn, but hey... with everyone else out of chems, the Unique Photo / Flexcolor option may be a move who's time has come.

At any rate... I haven't seen a poll on this, and if you're game, I thought it might be helpful to see what's really happening. You can choose as many options as you want and confuse the issue, or you can choose whichever has given the results you save for your best work.

 

[Donald Qualls]

I haven't seen an in-stock source of Flexicolor recently. In the past, I didn't process enough color to make Flexicolor color developer sensible, and mixed my own, while using Flexicolor bleach and fixer -- but now I'm (currently) using Cinestill. My eye for color isn't good enough to call the difference between commercial Kodak, commercial Fuji, and various kits anyway -- but I can sure see the difference between $20 (including shipping) and three-four weeks turn around for a shipped off roll, vs. $40 shipped for 16 rolls, each done the same day I'm ready to process.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use the Unicolor 1 liter kit. Using the Jobo raises the mark by providing consistent repeatable results while also making the whole process much much easier. I also use the Jobo processor for black & white.

 

[Jeremy Mudd]

UniColor

 

[JWMster]

Sirius.. ditto, ditto and ditto. With shipping, Unicolor is also the cheapest. Haven't tried Cinestill.... but likely similar. Tried Tetenal and Arista, too. But to my eye, they're all the same. Karl Abbott makes the case for better shadow detail with Flexcolor... but without trying it to see... all I can say is, "Hmmmmm.... trying to make me uncomfortable?"

 

[Jim Blodgett]

Well I guess you are asking about Film processing. For that I also use the Unicolor 1 liter kit others mentioned. I get good results with reels, tanks and hand agitation, but I've never tried a Jobo so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing.

But if you are also asking about what chemicals I use in my print processor, I use Fuji RA4 chemicals in a 16" Kreonite processor. Real happy with that combination, too.

 

[Ariston]

I see a lot of people talk about the Jobo because of inconsistencies, streaks, etc. I am very new to developing, but have never had a problem just using a tank, or trays for LF. I wonder if the quality of the water plays a bigger part than the equipment...
I take notes and, once I have what I like, I can repeat it.

 

[Jim Blodgett]

I mix my Unicolor powders with distilled water and pre soak and rinse water is filtered. But we get our water from our well. I'm not sure if municipal water has the same issues.

 

[koraks]

Fuji minilab for me as it's the easiest and most affordable to get around here in decent quantities. Apart from that, c41 is pretty much c41 to me. The difference I saw between pretty doubtful homebrew c41 developer and fuji hunt chemistry was pretty small in the end, and I stuck with Fuji mostly for convenience.
Now I've got that truckload of CD4 waiting for me to figure out how to put it to use...

 

[mshchem]

I use Flexicolor, but I don't shoot a lot of C-41 at this time. I never liked the powder press kits, but they work. I always used Kodak chemistry, I really miss the Kodak 5L E6 kit. Now I use Fuji for E6, however I've gotten excellent results from the Tetenal 3 bath E6, actually 4 bath with the final rinse.

Other than the powder, I wouldn't hesitate to use Arista or Tetenal, and of course the Fuji.

Tetenal makes outstanding products.

 

[etn]

Certainly not very relevant to answer your question. I don’t bother with developing color at home. I don’t have the equipment. Fortunately there’s a very good lab 10 mins by foot from where I live, they get all my color rolls (and most of my BW too, for that matter.)
So, Chico Escuela for me

 

[Wayne]

I have always used Unicolor but I haven't done a huge amount of C-41 at home. More recently I've been sending it out until I have better temperature control. The new problem is I don't plan to spend much time near my darkroom for the next 2 years.

 

[gijsbert]

I've had a Unicolor 1 liter for years now, but I don't shoot that much color and I've been worried about keeping a consistent temperature since I don't have a jobo. I did get a sous vide and used it for RA4 but haven't ventured into C-41 yet... not trusting my thermometer enough I guess.

 

[btaylor]

I’ve been using Arista since I got back into doing my own C41 a few years ago. Works just fine. I did buy a Flexicolor Kodak kit from Unique before their shipping costs went berserk but I haven’t gotten around to using it. I use Freestyle’s RA4 chemistry as well- get great results from it.

 

[Chan Tran]

I used the lab for C41 because they could do better and cheaper than I can do it myself. I made my own RA-4 prints. Now that the local labs don't have sufficient business to keep their process in good control I don't shoot film any more.

 

[Wayne]

I used the lab for C41 because they could do better and cheaper than I can do it myself. I made my own RA-4 prints. Now that the local labs don't have sufficient business to keep their process in good control I don't shoot film any more.

You can send it out you know...the local lab quality is no reason to stop shooting film.

 

[Agulliver]

In normal times, I have a lab that I trust and which I pass by every day after work. Of course right now it's closed and I am not going to work....but when the lab opens again I can still walk there in 30 minutes from home or get the wife to drop films off as she works 30 seconds walk from the shop/lab. The charge for all formats C41 dev and scan is £4 which really cannot be beaten. I've got more time on my hands right now as I am officially working from home but not being given a whole lot of work....so I've considered getting the Bellini Foto C41 kit as it's cheap and seems easy to use with my jobo tank in the kitchen sink. However I've held off in part because the kit isn't in stock and I'm also kind of stockpiling films to give the local lab the business when they can reopen.

But it's still a thought. One day.

 

[foc]

Now that the local labs don't have sufficient business to keep their process in good control I don't shoot film any more.

I have found the opposite, that small labs are experiencing a resurgence in film developing ( of course it is dependant on your local region, I am in the EU and film developing is thriving in my area).
If it is a bricks & mortar lab then visit it and see for yourself. If it looks ok then it probably is (if it looks rundown then avoid)
Mail order can be a little trickier but most places won't be advertising their services online if they aren't producing the goods.

 

[Chan Tran]

I have found the opposite, that small labs are experiencing a resurgence in film developing ( of course it is dependant on your local region, I am in the EU and film developing is thriving in my area).
If it is a bricks & mortar lab then visit it and see for yourself. If it looks ok then it probably is (if it looks rundown then avoid)
Mail order can be a little trickier but most places won't be advertising their services online if they aren't producing the goods.

The local labs around here can't have 10 rolls of 35mm a day which is the minimum requirement to have a stable process in the smallest processor available.

 

[abruzzi]

The poll needs an option for “whatever is in stock.” My understanding was that unlike B&W, color chemistry is a fixed known quantity, so aside from the blix/bleach then fix debate, there really isn’t much/any difference between chemistrys.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The poll needs an option for “whatever is in stock.” My understanding was that unlike B&W, color chemistry is a fixed known quantity, so aside from the blix/bleach then fix debate, there really isn’t much/any difference between chemistrys.

There must be some difference; different kits of the same mixed volume are listed for different quantities of films and different (starting) development times, despite genuine Flexicolor or Fujicolor chemistry having been a fixed process for many years.

 

[abruzzi]

maybe, but I use the same times/temps whatever kit I buy. I have c41 times in my phone (which I use to time all my development) and I use the same times no matter the kit. Differences in reported capacity, I always assumes was just willingness to tolerate extended times (and potentially color shifts) due to extended non-replenished use.

 

[JWMster]

Yeah... I get the whatever is in stock option. Sadly... you can't edit a poll once it's posted. I've always wanted conditional / two-level polls, but we don't have those either.

The whatever is in stock is sort of the basis for separating between powder C41's, liquid C41 with 3-baths supplied, and C41's that are 4-chem processes. FWIW, I'm surprised to see how many use the Kodak Flexcolor system because it isn't a kit, but may I shouldn't since it's a favored process on this site.
I'd be curious whether there's a correspondence between format and C41 choice, too.

 

[foc]

I'd be curious whether there's a correspondence between format and C41 choice, too.

That would be a good idea for a poll.

 

[abruzzi]

I shoot/process too little color to justify buying mini lab chemicals and use them for home use. I do prefer liquid to powder, but the last batch I bought, al, I could find in stock was powder, so...