Rollei Digibase C-41

[zsas]

My Dev Part C was dark purple upon opening. I got the 1L kit too from Freestyle. Any thoughts Sebastian re this?

 

[Tony-S]

Well, this is a bummer. I just got the Midi kit - is this the 1L package?

 

[zsas]

Yes the Midi is the 1 liter kit. When you get ready to mix your chems, please report back if Dev part C is purple or yellow. I dont suggest you open it before you are ready to mix your chems as Sebastian indicates it oxidizes fast.

 

[guyjr]

I knew about the Part C volatility from a posting by Photo Engineer a while back, so it is to be expected with open concentrates. But sealed, the shelf life should be at least the 2 - 3 years indicated by Sebastian. Freestyle gave me a credit for the one remaining kit that I can no longer use, and I decided to apply it toward a Maxi kit since I will need it when I return from vacation next month. According to the rep I spoke with, the issue was only with the Midi kits, and they have sent their remaining stock back to the manufacturer.

 

[jbl]

Does anyone have any idea how long the Part C is good for once it's opened? Sebastian's post above seems to say 2-3 years, but are you saying that's 2-3 years until opened?

-jbl

 

[mikecnichols]

Does anyone have any idea how long the Part C is good for once it's opened? Sebastian's post above seems to say 2-3 years, but are you saying that's 2-3 years until opened?

-jbl

I don't know how long it is completely good for, but I mixed a partial batch last September then mixed new chems from the same concentrates this past May. I kept them in the fridge tightly closed. I'm getting good results from my current batch of chems.

 

[mikecnichols]

I knew about the Part C volatility from a posting by Photo Engineer a while back, so it is to be expected with open concentrates. But sealed, the shelf life should be at least the 2 - 3 years indicated by Sebastian. Freestyle gave me a credit for the one remaining kit that I can no longer use, and I decided to apply it toward a Maxi kit since I will need it when I return from vacation next month. According to the rep I spoke with, the issue was only with the Midi kits, and they have sent their remaining stock back to the manufacturer.

That's great to hear....I was thinking of getting the Maxi kit next time I ordered.

 

[guyjr]

Hmm... maybe I'll try putting the Part C in the fridge this time around too. I can re-use the Midi bottles to subdivide the larger amount of concentrate which will hopefully keep out enough oxygen to prolong its life.

 

[jbl]

With the replacement kits, are people planning to keep using what they had on the bleach, fix and stabilizer side or just junk the whole kit? I guess the only thing that's really bad is the Part C, everything else should be okay, right?

-jbl

 

[Tony-S]

Can one use glass beads or marbles to displace air from unused Part C?

 

[mikecnichols]

Hmm... maybe I'll try putting the Part C in the fridge this time around too. I can re-use the Midi bottles to subdivide the larger amount of concentrate which will hopefully keep out enough oxygen to prolong its life.

Yeah, I'm keeping my bottles as well! Good call.

 

[zsas]

Called Freestyle, they took care of it, like they always do! Great customer service! Andy

 

[cinetango]

First time Kamikaze

Hi everyone,

Great info and people. First of all please forgive me for my ignorance. Last night I developed for the first time without any previous experience my first roll of 35mm color film using the digibase C41 mini kit. I used as teachers You Tube, you guys, and some books. Overall I am happy that for my first time developing most of it was a success, based on my level of experience. One thing that happened is that some pictures have a whitish streaks around the sky and I want to know if I photographed ghosts or aliens or if I made a mistake during developing...

Here is a sample:

All the help is greatly appreciated.

Raul

 

[CatLABS]

Thats a real nice photo, looks to me like a light leak or many leaks over time (during the loading or processing). does it cross over to other frames as well?

 

[cinetango]

Thanks.

Yes other photos show the same streak milky lines in the sky area....

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to APUG.

Those look like streaks arising from something like liquid rivulets running down the surface of the film prior to it being immersed in developer.

 

[cinetango]

Thanks Matt. What will make this happened? I only did a pre-wash before the developer...

 

[Tony-S]

OK, just opened my Rollei kit and Part C is purple. That's a drag...

 

[jbl]

What size did you order and when?

 

[Tony-S]

One liter and rec'd it in early August.

 

[jbl]

That was what I ordered and around the same time. That batch had a problem with Part C.

-jbl

 

[Tony-S]

I sent a message to Freestyle on Monday but haven't heard back yet.

 

[jbl]

I'd probably call them at this point. They were aware of the issue when I talked to them over the phone.

 

[iranzi]

Regarding the Digibase stabilizer, the manufacturer states:
"Another question has been the working solution of the stabilizer. The stabilizer can be used twice. (Without agitation!)". This is from an email reply from Rolleifilm posted earlier in this thread.
But the instructions say that 1L of stabilizer working solution has capacity of 60 films. How can I stabilize 60 rolls in 1L of solution that can be reused only once???

------------
Also, dilution and capacity information on stabilizer bottle is very different from the instruction sheet. Which one is correct? What dilution & capacity are you using?

 

[Роберт]

The stabilizer can be re-used.

Part C can be dark (more or less Purple) and even then it will work (the C41 developer) together with part A, part B and the starter.

Note: For the mini kit (0,5 ltr.) there is stabilizer for 250ml (total volume) so if you're using a 500ml or 600ml tank for roll film you have to rotate the tank carefully.

For practical use you can even use 270ml instead of 250ml for rotary (Jobo) development (so add 20ml extra water only) and use 2x2 films with the next times:
Pre-wash: 2 minutes
C41 developer: 3:15 minutes
Water change
Bleach: 4 minutes
Water change
Fix: 6 minutes
Wash the film: 3-5 minutes
Stabilizer: 1 minut

Dry the film(s).

The best way is a Jobo CPE/CPA or CPP processor with elevator. The stabilizer outside the processor due to foam which can contaminate the elevator system. In this way a C41 film development is really a piece of cake.