Stabilising lots of film

Hi folks,

I've got around 20 rolls of developed 120 that stabilised followed by a Photoflo rinse to help with watermarks etc (already using distilled water)

I believe that this last step with Photoflo will undo the stabiliser so I'm looking to understand if this is the case?

And if it is the case, what is the quickest/best way to stabilise a load of film that is cut into strips?

Thanks!
TT

I always thought that stabiliser was the last stage and that it did both jobs Do you have a problem of some kind with the film if you stop at the stabiliser?

Thanks

pentaxuser

Thanks,

To clarify after the bleach/fixing/final rinse I use the stabiliser, however I found that I was getting watermarks despite hanging it at an angle etc and using distilled/filtered water for all the steps.

I added an extra step of a quick bath of Photoflo and water which got rid of this however I'm concerned that I've undone the stabilising aspect and my negatives will deteriorate.

So I'm looking to clarify if that is correct and if it is, then to work out the quickest method of bulk stabilizing approx 20 rolls of film (80 strips).

Thanks

Were these watermarks on all of the films or only some and if so was there anything different about the way the watermarked films were handled or hung?

It might also be worthwhile to try the stabiliser again and vigorously shake the films afterwards and squeeze them between you middle two fingers several times before hanging them

You will doubtless get plenty of additional advice from the N. America members shortly but currently a lot are still in bed owing to the time difference

pentaxuser

Thanks!

It was consistent across all films, and it was where the water wasn't running off completely leaving the odd drop which would dry like it.

I've always given them a good shake, and have done the 'two finger trick' which seems to work now.

I'm not too concerned abou the watermarks now as I'm happy I can prevent it, it's more about the film that has been given Photoflo after stabilising and if that's an issue. And if it is, how best to stabilise (e.g. putting them in a big mixing bowl (one roll at a time)).

Thanks

This topic can get confusing because some companies label their stuff stabilizer while others call it final rinse. The need for a traditional stabilizer to prevent dyes from fading is no longer needed. However, you should be still using is some sort of final rinse with a anti-microbial in it. This will help prevent mold/fungus from destroying your film if stored in not so perfect conditions. Properly processed color film has zero silver left so it lacks the natural anti-microbial protection that b&w film has.

If you're getting water marks from your current kit stabilizer you can either add a few drops of wetting agent to that mix (most powder kit stabilizers are only hexamine and have no wetting agent) or buy a proper final rinse like Kodak and use that. Kodak final rinse is nice because it doesn't have any hexamine, so one less chemical I have to worry about. In your situation I'd just mix up a liter or two in a big bowl and just work through all the strips, hang them and let them dry.

If your film is stored well, in a cool, dry environment, you shouldn't have too much of an issue just leaving them as is.

Personally, I like the cheap insurance so I use a proper final rinse.

Thanks for this!

I'm talking about the use of a stabiliser after the final rinse with water

I'm moving from Cinestill to Fuji Hunt C41 kit so I'm hoping this will be a higher quality product.

"Final Rinse" is a product and not referring to a final water rinse lol. I wasn't lying when I said this topic can get confusing.

Kodak changed the name because it's not doing any stabilizing anymore I'm assuming

sillo said:

"Final Rinse" is a product and not referring to a final water rinse lol. I wasn't lying when I said this topic can get confusing.

Kodak changed the name because it's not doing any stabilizing anymore I'm assuming

Click to expand...

Ah thank you!

From here on out I'll refer to it as the final wash with water!

Twotone said:

Hi folks,

I've got around 20 rolls of developed 120 that stabilised followed by a Photoflo rinse to help with watermarks etc (already using distilled water)

I believe that this last step with Photoflo will undo the stabiliser so I'm looking to understand if this is the case?

And if it is the case, what is the quickest/best way to stabilise a load of film that is cut into strips?

Thanks!
TT

Click to expand...

PhotoFlo should not be used if the developing ensemble includes stabilizer.

Yes it's confusing.
"Stabilizer" used to do three things - the stuff that formaldehyde does, and the stuff that bactericide does and a surfactant (like Photoflo) to aid in clean drying.
Then they moved the task that formaldehyde used to be used for to an earlier part of the process. A bactericide and the surfactant was still needed at the end. Kodak calls that product "Final Rinse".
The old "Stabilizer" could still be used, and will still work perfectly, but we generally are trying to avoid formaldehyde now, because it has some associated health risks.