Thoughts on Rollei C-41 developer?

eharriett · Aug 29, 2017

I'm going on 6 months with my Unicolor C-41 developer kit and I think it is about time to get a new one. I have been reading on the forums about Rollei's C-41 and I am thinking of trying that instead. More expensive (best price I saw was $42 for 1l -- I would try and use only 500 ml at a time), but the pics I'm seeing I kind of like under these chems. And I REALLY like the fact that Rollei's developer isn't as temp sensitive. Could anyone share their experience how the Rollei compares with Unicolor's kit? Also, how long have you been able to get your mixed chemicals to last with Rollei when you refrigerate?

bvy · Aug 29, 2017

C-41 is a standardized process so don't judge developers or chemistry based on pictures. Unlike black and white, all C-41 developers are more or less the same. If the pictures look good, it means the developer was fresh and the film was processed correctly (time/temp/technique). And as far as I know there's nothing in the Rollei developer that makes it less temperature sensitive than any other C-41 developer. You can lower the temperature and increase the development time of any C-41 developer and get similar results. That's a subject of hot debate here. If you're happy with the results you get processing at lower temperatures, great. The debate is around how accurate and "balanceable" the resulting colors are. Best to stick to developing at 100F.

I've used working solution C-41 developer up to a year after mixing. Refrigeration isn't necessary. More important is storing your developer to capacity in glass (or thick plastic) bottles with good caps. And not reusing the heck out of it.

jojoman2 · Aug 29, 2017

I like the Rollei chemistry better than tetanol. I recommend using it at 100F though, wasn't happy with the results at lower temperatures. In order to get everything that hot, I would fill up a 5 gallon jug with hot water and add a little boiling water to the mix. C41 film likes to be developed hot and was designed for that. I shoot a lot so I tend to exhaust the chemicals fairly quickly. Within a week. C41 chemistry isnt really meant to sit around for too long, so I would wait to mix it until you have a good stash of film to develop.

BMbikerider · Aug 29, 2017

I have not used anything else for at least the past 2-3 years. I usually buy a 2.5 ltr kit but there are options of buying a 500cc pre mixed re-sealble bag - enough to process 4 x 35mm films without re-using the chems. I find it stable and consistent and have no problems with it.

eharriett · Aug 29, 2017

BMbikerider said:
I have not used anything else for at least the past 2-3 years. I usually buy a 2.5 ltr kit but there are options of buying a 500cc pre mixed re-sealble bag - enough to process 4 x 35mm films without re-using the chems. I find it stable and consistent and have no problems with it.

You can get it pre measured for 500ml somewhere? Could you please point me to the right vendor? Thanks.

BMbikerider · Aug 29, 2017

It is available in UK only as far as I know, but have a look at www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk

I don't know if they can ship it to the states.

Fin · Aug 29, 2017

I've used my Digibase kit for the last 15 or so films I've processed and have had consistently great results at 38°C.

I can't say it's been better or worse than any other kit on the market, but I am interested in this once I reach the use limit...

eharriett · Aug 30, 2017

Fin said:
I can't say it's been better or worse than any other kit on the market, but I am interested in this once I reach the use limit...

Ok. You've raised my interest in it. Love to see more about it. And find out if it is available somewhere for purchase in the U.S.

Daft Vader · Aug 31, 2017

It's fine for C41 Black and White processing. I'd recommend Digibase or Tetenal for C41 colour processing.

twelvetone12 · Aug 31, 2017

I got one of the Bellini kits and I will try it next week, I can post some images afterwards. I read a review (in Italian) and it was quite enthusiastic. I also have the ra4 which I will try shortly and once I finish the tetenal I will try the e6 kit.

pentaxuser · Aug 31, 2017

Daft Vader said:
It's fine for C41 Black and White processing. I'd recommend Digibase or Tetenal for C41 colour processing.

I had always thought that the Digibase C41 kit was in fact Rollei DigibaseC-41 to give it its full name Have you used two different kits which are Rollei C41 which you believe to be OK for Chromogenic ( B&W) C41 and a separate Digibase kit that is better for colour films?

Can you give more details on what you believe to be tow different developers? Thanks

pentaxuser

Daft Vader · Sep 1, 2017

I'm referring to the Colorchem kit from Rollei which seems to have the weakest blix of all manufacturers out there. I like the fact that Compard Digibase has a modular system whereby you can replace every component of the kit as and when required.

pentaxuser said:
I had always thought that the Digibase C41 kit was in fact Rollei DigibaseC-41 to give it its full name Have you used two different kits which are Rollei C41 which you believe to be OK for Chromogenic ( B&W) C41 and a separate Digibase kit that is better for colour films?

Can you give more details on what you believe to be tow different developers? Thanks

pentaxuser

Berri · Sep 2, 2017

Fin said:
I've used my Digibase kit for the last 15 or so films I've processed and have had consistently great results at 38°C.

I can't say it's been better or worse than any other kit on the market, but I am interested in this once I reach the use limit...

Good to see Bellini products outside of Italy! I use Bellini RA4 in my processor and it is great! It lasts a very long time. C41 is very good too but I prefer the blix approach (I know it's bad)

Thoughts on Rollei C-41 developer?

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