unicolor c41 one liter kit...How many rolls

[Wayne]

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I have read in a couple of places that the chemicals, once mixed, are good for about eight rolls. Is it really able to provide good quality results on the eighth roll? Has anyone taken a chance and seen if you can develop even more?

[250swb]

It largely will depend on the person who's doing the processing. If you process three films at a time the chemicals will last longer than processing three films individually because you are reducing the overall oxidation of the chemicals through contact with the air. Similarly some people will keep their chemicals in dedicated one litre opaque bottles rather than old plastic lemonade bottles. But the eighth film can only be judged if it is shot at exactly the same time as the first, or how do you know the light isn't different, the colour palette changed, or your metering or lens affecting the results?

 

I suspect the Unicolor C-41 instructions are the source of the 'eight roll' limit and it's probably a good limit if you are doing a scientific evaluation of the negatives. Fortunately photography is not only a science but an evaluative medium and if the eighth, ninth or tenth film looks OK it will be OK. For example the Tetenal 1 litre kit says sixteen rolls are the limit, and possibly this is influenced by the increasing length of the processing time as much as chemical exhaustion. But twenty rolls are possible if you've been processing three rolls at a time, after that I'd give the chemicals a good send off and say thank you to them.

 

Steve

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[Wayne]

Thanks for the great response.

 

I am using the collapsible opaque bottles for storage. Now that I have discovered the enjoyment of hand developing film, my attention is now turned toward economy. Right now I am doing it one roll at a time. I guess I should go ahead and get the Paterson 3 reels tank.

 

Once mixed, is there any wisdom concerning length of time the chemicals can be kept on the shelf before they deteriorate to the point where they can longer be used?

 

Wayne

[250swb]

I usually get through the chemicals before time becomes an issue, but keep them cool and they will last longer. If you haven't used the chemicals for a couple of months I'd get rid of them and start again, the processing kits aren't too expensive.

 

Steve

[rpavich]

I have read in a couple of places that the chemicals, once mixed, are good for about eight rolls. Is it really able to provide good quality results on the eighth roll? Has anyone taken a chance and seen if you can develop even more?

I got 25 rolls out of my last batch of Unicolor C-41 and I just chickened out and bought a new kit, not that it was not doing it's job.

 

I keep my chems in dark plastic chem bottles and shoot a little Tetenal Protectan gas in them when not in use.

[Yellup]

Manufacturers are often very "conservative " when staing the performances of developing kits.

 

I can't speak of unicolor as never used it, however solutions from Tetenal C41 kits will last for ages ( months!) if stored in a cool location and one can develop well in excess of the stated 16 rolls ...I've managed nearly double that amount!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if you  get much more than 8 rolls from your kit .

[Wayne]

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Well, I have discovered, it least in my case, the Unicolor C41 chemicals have a shelf life of less than 3 months. Even if they are properly stored in opaque bottles, tightly sealed, and in a cool area. I am not surprised, or disappointed. I guess the only problem is that I do not know how long they WILL store...once mixed.