C-41 Home Dev Kit: got one for Christmas!

[radiophoto]

It was a Jobo kit, good for about 8 standard rolls of color film.  I gave it a try this morning on a roll of 120 (actually half a 220 respooled onto 620, but you don't need to be bothered with all that), and despite how messy the Blix is, I think it's marvelous, and I think I did a not-so-bad job of developing.  Hope to have scans by this afternoon.

[LarryD]

Congrats Pete.

[radiophoto]

Thanks, Bro.  Hope you had a good Christmas, too. 

[Santiago Montenegro]

Nice. Can't wait to see the results. I stopped shooting color only because local processing is nonexistant here.

[Austintatious]

Pete,

It would be interesting to know the average cost per roll for home development with your kit.  Love to see your results posted also.
Hope every one had a good Christmas and I want to wish everyone a wonderful 2012. :rolleyes:

Charles

[LarryD]

You too I won't say it could not be worse next year but it is election year here in the U.S. so that means it will be a weird year.

[radiophoto]

Charles, since the kit was a gift, I'm processing my film for free.    Seriously, though, the kit costs about $20 and promises to develop no fewer than 8 rolls of film.  What's that, about $1.60/roll?  Not bad.

Here are some samples from the 1st roll, expired Fuji NPH 400 shot in an Argoflex EF using flashbulbs:


Our Tree by f6point3studio, on Flickr

Christmas Dinner by f6point3studio, on Flickr

Keane and Uncle Ken by f6point3studio, on Flickr

[br1078lum]

That first one has a very vintage feel to it.  All good pics, and they look better here than on Flickr!

PF

[martolod]

there is nothing wrong with that set of home devs.
must have a look what a kit will set me back over here.

[BillyBob]

veeeery interesting!!  Nice results.

How difficult was it Pete?  That is, how much harder than b&w?  Just a matter of closer temperature control? (well, obviously the chemistry's different - just wondering about the level of difficulty)

Btw, check yer math ;->

It still looks like a good deal though - especially with C41 processing getting less convenient (fewer places doing it - especially medium format) and more expensive.

[LarryD]

Hey Pete sorry I am late on this.. Not bad at all Oh and Blix makes Caffinol smell good now don't it.

[radiophoto]

veeeery interesting!!  Nice results.

How difficult was it Pete?  That is, how much harder than b&w?  Just a matter of closer temperature control? (well, obviously the chemistry's different - just wondering about the level of difficulty)

Btw, check yer math ;->

It still looks like a good deal though - especially with C41 processing getting less convenient (fewer places doing it - especially medium format) and more expensive.

OK, so it's closer to $2.50/roll.  Still not bad.

The only complaint I have now is how messy the Blix is.  It really leaks out of the tank!  I think I'm losing about two ounces of the stuff every time I develop a roll of film.  I just developed my 3rd roll today, and do the math on that, smart guy.  The developer has to be maintained at 102 deg. F, the Blix at a similar temp, and the Stabilizer at room temp.  There's a 1-min. pre-soak with 102 deg. water, and on Kodak films there's a lovely green tint to whatever coating comes off after the pre-soak. 

I'm very pleased with the results.  So far I've developed only expired color film, and have been impressed with the color tones and lack of grain.  I'll try new 35mm next, maybe shoot two rolls so I can develop 2 at the same time.

Hey Pete sorry I am late on this.. Not bad at all Oh and Blix makes Caffinol smell good now don't it.

Oh, Gawd, Larry, that Blix is shtanky for sure. X-P

[epatsellis]

Pete,
you'll find if you get into it that there is inexpensive options for chemistry, I use the 25 gal Flexicolor dev., Flexicolor 3 bleach (and reuse/aerate/regen) and Flexicolor fixer, chemistry cost for one shot processing is in the area of around $.50 a roll. That 400H is awfully nice, I still have plenty of 160S/NPS, 400H and 800Z left, btw...

(you should have a package heading your way after the first of the year.)

[LarryD]

Well Pete you now have no excuse to shoot the Blue Ray film... ISO 3-6.

[radiophoto]

Pete,
you'll find if you get into it that there is inexpensive options for chemistry, I use the 25 gal Flexicolor dev., Flexicolor 3 bleach (and reuse/aerate/regen) and Flexicolor fixer, chemistry cost for one shot processing is in the area of around $.50 a roll. That 400H is awfully nice, I still have plenty of 160S/NPS, 400H and 800Z left, btw...

(you should have a package heading your way after the first of the year.)

Erie, that sounds great, but I'd have no place to store 25 gal of chemicals.  Or is it a concentrate that can make up to 25 gal?  Thanks, I'm looking forward to the package. 

Larry, I shot one roll of the Blue Ray but never did anything with the scans.  Shot it on a brilliant sunny day when thousands of birds were going crazy over the bay.  It was one of those lucky days I had a camera with me.  I'll have to go digging for that CD now.