E6 processing at home

[andybarton]

Fuji, Tetenal or Kodak chemistry? (i.e. 3 or 6 baths)

Any preferences?

(I know that there are probably about two people here doing this, but I thought I'd give it a try...)

[guywalder]

Originally Posted by andybarton

Fuji, Tetenal or Kodak chemistry? (i.e. 3 or 6 baths)

Any preferences?

(I know that there are probably about two people here doing this, but I thought I'd give it a try...)

2 ? so many??
I am coming to the conclusion that fast B&W is the only film that makes sense now, for that grainy look, every time I take the time to scan and spot a colour slide or worse an MF slide I think to myself 'it would have been easier / faster / cleaner by digital'.
None of which helps answer your question!

[stunsworth]

Andy, I've used Patersons 3 bath kits in the past. Don't know if they are still being sold.

Link to operating instructions for Jobo...

JOBO AG

[lee_lo_ban]

I hand process E-6 on every RVP I shoot. It is just like B&W no tricks. I use Kodak Single Use Kit, not complicated just a bit tedious. +- 1 degree celcius or even more doesn't really matter. What matter is agitation, especially if you have 4 rolls in a one liter tank and don't do good agitation in the bleach and fix, then most of the frames would have some kind of yellowish stain. I prefer doing 3 rolls in a batch.

[rubenkok]

Photosensitive » Processing colour slides at home

DIY Developing E6 Film

Maby this is some help
Ruben

I have used Kodak and Tetenal 3 bath E6 kits and always gotten excellent results.

Keeping your temperatures to close tolerances - especially in the first developer - is crucial. Once you get past the first developer, the temp is not as critical.

It's not hard to do - all you need is a good darkroom thermometer and hot & cold running water to regulate your temps.

The 6 bath is for automated machine processing (as I understand it).

[adan]

As people have said, it is relatively easy so long as you watch that first developer temp and time.

I did my first chromes in E4 chems in 1972 in high school - pushed 1.5 stops, no less, and it was a breeze.

Downsides to doing it at home are more in the mounting headaches, cleanliness, and the fact that the chems have a very short working life once mixed ( two weeks at the max) so one has to shoot enough to use everything up before it goes sour.

Oh - I've used everything, including the 9-step (!!) E4 mentioned above. They all work. I've used Kodak 6-step recently mostly because it was easier to find than the other brands.

[andybarton]

Many thanks for the advice guys.

I have some 3 bath chemistry on order (it takes 3 weeks to get...), so will have a play around nearer Christmas.

Need to shoot some Astia first