Questions about the Arista E-6 kit

Tony-S · Jul 19, 2012

OK, I'm giving the Arista E-6 a tryout. Here's the plan, at 105F (except the washes, which will be in the 100-105 range):

1. Prewash - 1 min (105F)
2. First Dev - 6.5 min
3. 7x wash
4. Color Dev - 4.5 min
5. 7x wash
6. Blix - 10 min
7. Wash running water 5 min
8. Rinse 1x in Photoflow 200 with 1% formaldehyde

Questions

1. At what point is the temperature no longer critical?

2. How many 120 rolls can I expect from the 1 quart kit?

3. Do both developers need to be stored without air?

nexus757 · Jul 19, 2012

I'd try to keep both developers within a degree or so of 105F. When I tried to use colder temps according to the chart the results were not so good. The blix temp doesn't matter so much I don't think. The instruction sheet claims you can get about eight 120 rolls from 32 oz. Best to store in full bottles. Even then, the shelf life once mixed isn't that great. About a week ideally. Maybe two weeks if the results are not too critical. I once even used some that had been mixed a month earlier. The slides came out but there was some major color shift--not recommended unless you just want to experiment for the heck of it.

BrendanCarlson · Jul 20, 2012

1. The blix temp doesn't matter.
2. I can get 10 rolls, but I am verrryyy careful not to contaminate. The chems do exhaust a little quicker then C41.
3. Yes, both developers need to be stored without air, as do pretty much all developers.

Btw, you may want to rethink step 8... PE has some stuff to say on the formalin at the end... (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Tony-S · Jul 20, 2012

BrendanCarlson said:
1. The blix temp doesn't matter.
2. I can get 10 rolls, but I am verrryyy careful not to contaminate. The chems do exhaust a little quicker then C41.
3. Yes, both developers need to be stored without air, as do pretty much all developers.

OK, blix can be stored in regular bottles with air on top, right?

Btw, you may want to rethink step 8... PE has some stuff to say on the formalin at the end... (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

It was that post that made me add step 8. Am I misreading it? I have the understanding that all E-6 films need formalin to stabilize the dyes.

BrendanCarlson · Jul 20, 2012

1. I store the blix in a Delta container for photo chems with all the extra air squeezed out.
2. Yes, they need formalin, but you need to make sure your concentrations are proper as stated in the thread.

Tony-S · Jul 20, 2012

BrendanCarlson said:
2. Yes, they need formalin, but you need to make sure your concentrations are proper as stated in the thread.

Yes, 10 ml in 1 liter, which is 1%. So I think I'm good to go - thanks.

BrendanCarlson · Jul 20, 2012

Yes, you should be good, sorry, I was reading a bit fast before.

anikin · Jul 20, 2012

Somehow I was under the impression that correct temperature for E-6 should be 100F and not 105F. Am I missing something here?

Tony-S · Jul 20, 2012

anikin said:
Somehow I was under the impression that correct temperature for E-6 should be 100F and not 105F. Am I missing something here?

The Arista kit is different for some reason.

Tony-S · Jul 20, 2012

Looks to be successful. I processed one roll of Provia 100F/120, one roll of Provia 100F/135x36 and four sheets of 4x5" Provia 100F. Still have two more rolls of 135x36 Provia 100F, a roll of 135x35 Velvia 50 and one roll of Velvia 50/220 to go. Plus, I have one of my last two rolls of Ektachrome Lumiere 100 in the Rolleiflex. I should get it done this weekend, plus a few more 4x5s and another 220 of Velvia, I hope.

largeformat65 · Oct 7, 2012

Does anyone have tips on keeping the water temp at 105F? Meaning, does it seem to work by filling a plastic tub at the correct temp and just keep topping it off to maintain temp or is a heater required? I looked around for a submersible heater and haven't found anything that would go to 105F.

Thanks,

Larry

kmallick · Oct 8, 2012

I have seen people use plastic tub. But since I do my E-6 at home regularly, I broke down and invested in a thermostat controlled water bath for scientific laboratory use like this one. I got it el cheapo on eBay.

largeformat65 · Oct 8, 2012

Thanks for the tip! I was able to find a heat controlled water bath as well and got it ordered. This should work out great.

Thanks!

kmallick said:
I have seen people use plastic tub. But since I do my E-6 at home regularly, I broke down and invested in a thermostat controlled water bath for scientific laboratory use like this one. I got it el cheapo on eBay.

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Questions about the Arista E-6 kit

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