Switching to Kodak Flexicolor Chemistry

[mtjade2007]

Yes, that technique is called "replenishing."

The way that it works is that the stuff you are using on your film is supposed to be less concentrated; like sfaber says, it is ideally mixed up from replenisher plus "starter" solutions, plus (I'm presuming; I've never used the RA bleach) water. Thus, when you add some replenisher to your working tank it should raise the chemicals back up to the original working tank concentration.

Thanks for the tip. I can find Kodak's instruction to figure out how to do that.

Yes, that technique is called "replenishing."
Regarding Kodak's instructions to NOT use bleach replenishment with a rotary processor, I don't understand why not. In my long experience with Kodak instructions, I've nearly always found them to be reliable, and often on the "safe" side, meaning that they protect the user from problems. So I presume that they have good reason for their recommendations; I just fail to see what it could be.

Kodak probably meant to say that for the developer, not for the bleach and fixer. I might have made a wrong interpretation of Kodak's words. I don't use the bleach and fixer one shot any way. I do not use the developer one shot either. I reuse the developer a few times.

 

[mshchem]

Yes, that technique is called "replenishing."

The way that it works is that the stuff you are using on your film is supposed to be less concentrated; like sfaber says, it is ideally mixed up from replenisher plus "starter" solutions, plus (I'm presuming; I've never used the RA bleach) water. Thus, when you add some replenisher to your working tank it should raise the chemicals back up to the original working tank concentration.

Regarding Kodak's instructions to NOT use bleach replenishment with a rotary processor, I don't understand why not. In my long experience with Kodak instructions, I've nearly always found them to be reliable, and often on the "safe" side, meaning that they protect the user from problems. So I presume that they have good reason for their recommendations; I just fail to see what it could be.

The bleach recommendation has me a bit confused too. I am going to follow the Kodak recommended procedure for my Jobo work. Chemistry is cheap.
Best Regards Mike

 

[rpavich]

Bleach straight, three minutes. Fixer 1+1 with water six minutes. Thorough rinse after each bath. I also add a stop and rinse between developer and bleach.

Aerate the bleach periodically, and do a clearing test on the fixer periodically.

Hi,
Now that I've opened the box, i've got a few more questions:


1.) The bleach and fix kit; the bleach is the clear smelly one and the fixer is the darker colored one that really didn't smell...true?
Since the fixer is 1:1 with water do I:
a.) Mix the 1:1 and store it that way
b.) Keep the solution stock and mix one shots at 1:1
c.) Keep the stock solution and mix a "working bottle" at 1:1

Not sure which I should do.

I know that these questions are elemental but I'm a noob just trying to get through the process successfully.

 

[bvy]

Did you order the 5 liter developer/replenisher kit? That's the only one I've used and can advise on. What's the CAT number? I can't comment much more until I know except to say that I don't mix small or one shot portions and I don't advise it.

The bleach and fix kit; the bleach is the clear smelly one and the fixer is the darker colored one that really didn't smell...true?

No! First of all, they should both smell, but I don't advise that either (!). The bleach is dark green or black; the fixer is clear. Use the bleach straight; mix the fixer 1+1 with water. Again, this is if we're talking about the F2 kit (two bladder bags). You shouldn't be using bleach or fixer one shot. Reclaim the solutions and use them again and again, testing periodically and replenishing as needed.

 

[rpavich]

Did you order the 5 liter developer/replenisher kit? That's the only one I've used and can advise on. What's the CAT number? I can't comment much more until I know except to say that I don't mix small or one shot portions and I don't advise it.


No! First of all, they should both smell, but I don't advise that either (!). The bleach is dark green or black; the fixer is clear. Use the bleach straight; mix the fixer 1+1 with water. Again, this is if we're talking about the F2 kit (two bladder bags). You shouldn't be using bleach of fixer one shot. Reclaim the solutions and use them again and again, testing periodically and replenishing as needed.

Oh boy.
I mixed them up; good thing I didn't do the 1:1 yet (except for 250ml so I lost 125ml of bleach from the kit)
I did buy the F2 kit. (the one mentioned above.)

Not a disaster though, one roll toast, and the chems are still ok. I'll just relabel the bottles and i"m good to go.

thanks for the help I appreciate it.

 

[bvy]

Sure thing. Here's the developer I order:
www.uniquephoto.com/product/c-41-dev-repl-lorr-tm-5l-ek-kodak-xhaz-hazsp1-832-0608-8231672/

I don't expect the URL to work -- you might have to copy and paste it.

 

[rpavich]

Sure thing. Here's the developer I order:
www.uniquephoto.com/product/c-41-dev-repl-lorr-tm-5l-ek-kodak-xhaz-hazsp1-832-0608-8231672/

I don't expect the URL to work -- you might have to copy and paste it.

Yep, that's the one I bought.

I mixed it up per the label directions, and then mixed developer per the directions on the starter bottle. (which I believe was something like 763ml of replenisher + 207ml of water + 30ml of starter.)

I'm going to go out and shoot another roll asap to test once again within an hour or two so if you see an error in what I just said by all means please say something.

 

[bvy]

Follow the instructions on that package to make 5 liters of developer/replenisher. You'll use all the chemicals. Then follow the proportions on the starter to make enough starter solution to supplement 5 liters of developer/replenisher. I don't have my notes with me but it's roughly 200ml of starter plus 1300ml of water that you'll mix and then add to the 5 liters of developer/replenisher. This is your completed working solution -- about 6.5 liters. You'll have starter left over.

Don't be confused by the names. You don't start with starter and you won't be replenishing with replenisher.

 

[rpavich]

Follow the instructions on that package to make 5 liters of developer/replenisher. You'll use all the chemicals. Then follow the proportions on the starter to make enough starter solution to supplement 5 liters of developer/replenisher. I don't have my notes with me but it's roughly 200ml of starter plus 1300ml of water that you'll mix and then add to the 5 liters of developer/replenisher. This is your completed working solution -- about 6.5 liters. You'll have starter left over.

Don't be confused by the names. You don't start with starter and you won't be replenishing with replenisher.

Ok, thanks.
And the film just came out of the dryer and I cannot believe it came out ok! Weird.
Here is one shot from outside with an 85B filter.

 

[bvy]

You must be doing something right, then. Good luck!

 

[rpavich]

You must be doing something right, then. Good luck!

The next roll that I did came out great, much better than the blix kits that I was using.

 

[rpavich]

BVY,
I just realized that I didn't buy the final rinse you recommended (for whatever reason)
Final Rinse ($2.95)
http://www.uniquephoto.com/product/kodak-flexicolor-sm-c-41sm-tank-final-rinse-1925254/

Would using the Stabilizer from my C-41 kit work the same?

 

[bvy]

BVY,
I just realized that I didn't buy the final rinse you recommended (for whatever reason)
Final Rinse ($2.95)
http://www.uniquephoto.com/product/kodak-flexicolor-sm-c-41sm-tank-final-rinse-1925254/

Would using the Stabilizer from my C-41 kit work the same?

It will work the same, but my experience with kit stabilizers was bad drying marks. Final rinse has a surfactant.

 

[rpavich]

It will work the same, but my experience with kit stabilizers was bad drying marks. Final rinse has a surfactant.

Thanks. I'll put a drop of Photo-Flo in it.