X Processing

[dxphoto]

I have a few expired slides film. I finished them yesterday and I am thinking of since they are expired for years (one roll got 10 years), I might just x-process them. Is it a good idea?

there is a local mini lab nearby. They got reputation of using expired chemicals for e-6 processing (no idea of their c-41), but they are very convenient. Does that chemical matter to the x-processing?

Thanks.

 

[srs5694]

Cross-processing can produce some interesting results. A Web search should turn up plenty of examples. Whether it's a "good idea" to try cross-processing with your expired film is a subjective question. If you're going for a surreal sort of feel and/or odd color shifts, then cross-processing may get you exactly what you want. I wouldn't recommend it for situations where accurate color reproduction is important. (Cross-processed wedding photos? Most couples would kill you if you were the hired wedding photographer.)

Since you say you've shot several rolls of this film, you might want to consider cross-processing one or two of them to see what you get, and decide whether to cross-process or normally process the remaining rolls once you see the results. Keep in mind that different brands and types of film can respond very differently to cross-processing. I've only cross-processed three rolls of E-6 film so far. Two rolls of Kodak Elite Chrome 200 produced almost normal color (when scanned; I haven't done any conventional prints from them), but a roll of Fuji Astia 100 produced results that were so off they were almost useless -- the negatives were dominated by light cyan, making it difficult to get a good range of colors. (OTOH, this roll was also cross-processed night shots, which may have something to do with the color response.)

One more point: You refer to a commercial minilab. Some minilabs refuse to cross-process film. Others will do so, either out of ignorance/sloppiness or because they understand the process and are willing to do it.

 

[dxphoto]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. funny thing is, that local lab won't do the x-processing because they said it would really screw up the machine. True??

Other stores still do it with no problem.

 

[frugal]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. funny thing is, that local lab won't do the x-processing because they said it would really screw up the machine. True??

Other stores still do it with no problem.

It's a myth that cross-processing e-6 film in c-41 chemistry will screw up the machine or the chemistry. A friend of mine works at a local photo lab and has run the calibrations before and after running e-6 through the machine and there was no difference.

Now I've heard c-41 film in e-6 chemistry is a different matter but I don't have any experience to base that off.

 

[srs5694]

The lab personnel could be thinking of ECN-II (motion picture) film, which has a rem-jet backing that (I've heard) will gum up the works of a minilab. A couple decades ago there were a few outfits that respooled ECN-II film for use in still cameras and sold processing, often including a slides from negatives option. It's entirely possible that a minilab operator, encountering this film, would remember the mess it caused but overgeneralize or confuse the type of film involved, particularly if the customer mentioned the slides from negatives service.

 

[Mark Antony]

You can X-Process both E-6 and C-41 films with no harm to the developer/machine.
I used to own a commercial lab, and we'd often put E-6 though our C-41 and no chemical change was recorded.
I write about x-pro on my blog with some picture examples:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.com/2007/05/x-process-cross-processing-is-when-you.html

 

[Roger Hicks]

You can X-Process both E-6 and C-41 films with no harm to the developer/machine.
I used to own a commercial lab, and we'd often put E-6 though our C-41 and no chemical change was recorded.

Then again, "My mind is made up. Do not confuse me with the facts."

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Nick Zentena]

PE will know for sure but I think Kodak lists a number of feet that can be processed and not upset the chemicals. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Nick Zentena]

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/cis184/cis184.jhtml

That's C-41 in E6. They talk about too much leading too speed drop.

 

[htmlguru4242]

The labs around me (some pro and all the regular 1-Hour places) all have told me that there are issues with cross-processing. I have a bunch of old Kodak Gold canisters that I've figured how to reoload, so when i tried cross processing, I just wound the film into those; they don't know the difference .

It's never worked for me b/c the film i have is very very expired. I do intend to try it again soon!

Everything that I hear and everyone that I talk to (who actually knows what they're talking about), mentions that you need to run a very high volume of film in cross-process to cause issues.

 

[jd callow]

there are no ill effects from processing e6 materials in a replenished c41 processor. If you don't replenish the chems may die a bit sooner than usual. I have worked with a guy who did multiple daily checks of his dip and dunk and saw no issues with crossprocessing relatively large quantities (20+ rolls at a time) in C41. C41 in E6 was a process he was not as comfortable with as he felt that e6 chems tended to be 'emotional' and were easily thrown off kilter.

 

[srs5694]

I have a bunch of old Kodak Gold canisters that I've figured how to reoload, so when i tried cross processing, I just wound the film into those; they don't know the difference .

I don't know precisely what process you use for this, but if somebody's desperate enough to try this, one way to do it is described Dead Link Removed (check the photos at the bottom of the page).

That page is in reference to using cartridges obtained from a minilab for B&W bulk loading, but you should be able to do the same thing to transfer E-6 film into a C-41 cartridge.