KODAK C-41 Film Processing Kit
Processing Instructions
Introduction
This kit is designed to process all conventional C-41 compatible color negative films. It can also process Chromogenic B&W films. This is a non-replenisher kit suitable for small tank and rotary tube processing. The KODAK C-41 Negative Developing kit is a premier chemical processing solution for color negative films in rotary processors and small tanks. All processing chemicals are concentrates. The actual number of rolls that can be processed depends on individual processing considerations.
Agitation Method
Agitate the tank by turning the tank over (inverting it) with a slight rotation (quarter turn), then return the tank to an upright position. Perform this at a rate of one agitation cycle per second.
4. Storage Conditions
| Chemical | Concentrate Once Opened | Working Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Color Developer | 12 weeks | 1 week |
| Bleach | 24 weeks | 24 weeks |
| Fixer | 24 weeks | 24 weeks |
| Final Rinse | Indefinite | Indefinite |
Store solutions in clean bottles, expelling as much air as possible. Keep concentrates in their original packaging when mixing less than the full volume of the kit.
5. Safety and Environmental
Each KODAK C-41 kit complies with environmental regulations, and each component is labelled accordingly. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available for each component, discussing safe disposal of chemicals and providing details on chemical hazards. Consult your dealer for the latest SDS.
6. Troubleshooting
| Fault | Possible Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Negative too dark | Overexposure in camera Developing time of color developer too long Contamination of color developer |
Check camera and exposure Shorten developing time by 15-30 seconds Rinse equipment and reels thoroughly |
| Negative too light | Underexposure in camera Prewash/Prewarming of the tank has been omitted Developing time of color developer too short |
Check camera and exposure. Add a prewash time of 3 to 5 minutes to the program Extend developing time by 15-30 seconds |
| Uneven color areas, streaks and stripes | Insufficient filling quantity Prewash has been omitted Color developer was poured in too slowly |
Check filling amount Add a prewash time of 3 to 5 minutes to the program. Pour in the color developer quickly |
| Color fog | Mixing vessels of the processor are not clean Contamination of the developer by other chemicals. |
Use individual mixing vessels and mixing rods for each bath |
| Drying spots on the dry film | Tap water is too hard when preparing the stabilizer bath | Mix tap water with distilled or demineralized water in the proportion 1:2 |
| Negatives appear magenta and print cyan | Insufficient bleach and fixing | Re-bleach and fix the film and then re-dry |
Safety Data Reference
- Developer: 1A SDS# CAT 519 9005A, 1B SDS# CAT 519 9005B, 1C SDS# CAT 519 9005C
- Bleach: 2A SDS# CAT 5199039A, 2B SDS# CAT 5199039B
- Fixer: 3 SDS# CAT 519 9047
- Final Rinse: 4 SDS# CAT 519 9062
1. KODAK C-41 Film Processing Kit Contents
| Process | Chemical Concentrate | Kit Variant 2.5 L Contents | Kit Variant 5 L Contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | 1A Developer A 1B Developer B 1C Developer C |
188 ml 43.8 ml 94.6 ml |
376 ml 87.6 ml 189.2 ml |
| Bleach | 2A Bleach A 2B Bleach B |
500 ml 1000 ml |
1000 ml 2000 ml |
| Fixer | 3 Fixer | 500 ml | 1000 ml |
| Final Rinse | 4 Final Rinse | 22.5 ml | 45 ml |
2. Making Working Solutions
For 2.5 L
| To make: | Process Step | Water | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Developer | 2175.6 ml | 188 ml | 43.8 ml | 94.6 ml | 2500 ml |
| Bleach | Bleach | 1000 ml | 500 ml | 1000 ml | - | 2500 ml |
| Fixer | Fixer | 2000 ml | 500 ml | - | - | 2500 ml |
| Final Rinse | Final Rinse | 2477.5 ml | 22.5 ml | - | - | 2500 ml |
For 5 L
| To make: | Process Step | Water | Part A | Part B | Part C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Developer | 4351.2 ml | 376 ml | 87.6 ml | 189.2 ml | 5000 ml |
| Bleach | Bleach | 2000 ml | 1000 ml | 2000 ml | - | 5000 ml |
| Fixer | Fixer | 4000 ml | 1000 ml | - | - | 5000 ml |
| Final Rinse | Final Rinse | 4955 ml | 45 ml | - | - | 5000 ml |
Smaller amounts of working solutions can be mixed, but careful attention must be paid to the mixing ratios. For 1000 ml, divide all volumes by 2.5. For 500 ml, divide all volumes by 5. Example: to make 1000 ml of Fixer, mix 200 ml of Fixer concentrate with 800 ml of water.
3. Standard Processing Steps
Rotary Tube Processors
| Solution/Step | Time* (min:sec) | Temperature °C (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Optional Warm-Up | 2:00 - 6:00 | 38 - 45 (100 - 113) |
| COLOR NEGATIVE Developer | 3:15 | 37 - 39 (99 - 102) |
| COLOR NEGATIVE Bleach | 6:30 | 24 - 38 (75 - 100) |
| Wash | 1:30 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) |
| COLOR NEGATIVE Fixer | 6:30 | 24 - 38 (75 - 100) |
| Wash | 3:15 | 24 - 38 (75 - 100) |
| COLOR NEGATIVE Final Rinse | 1:30 | 24 - 38 (75 - 100) |
| Dry | As needed | 20 - 60 (68 - 140) |
Notes: Chemistry can be used one-shot or replenished. Times include a 10-second drain time at the end of each step. Solution volume depends on the processor type. The warm-up step is done by warming the outside of the tube in a tempered water bath, not by immersing the film in warm water pre-soak. Determine correct times by running a test. If final rinse foaming is an issue, perform final rinse in a separate tank.
Small Tank
| Solution/Step | Time* (min:sec) | Temperature °C (°F) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | 3:15 | 37 - 39 (99 - 102) | Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 2 seconds of agitation every 15 seconds. |
| Bleach | 6:30 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) | Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 2 seconds of agitation every 30 seconds. |
| Wash | 1:30 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) | Use running-water wash filling the tank every 4 seconds, or fill, agitate for 5 seconds, dump, and repeat. |
| Fixer | 6:30 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) | Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 5 seconds of agitation every 30 seconds. |
| Wash | 3:15 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) | Repeat procedure used for the first wash. |
| Final Rinse | 1:30 | 24 - 41 (75 - 105) | Initial agitation for 30 seconds; no further agitation required. |
| Dry | As needed | 24 - 43 (75 - 110) | Remove film from reel and hang in a dust-free place or drying cabinet. Attach film clip to top and a weighted clip to bottom to prevent curl. |
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