TECHNICAL DATA / CHEMICALS FOR MINILABS
April 2000 • J-36
Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Minilab
This publication describes KODAK Chemicals designed specifically for minilabs. It provides recommended cycles for processing the following films with KODAK FLEXICOLOR Chemicals in Processes C-41RA, C-41B, and C-41*:
KODAK ROYAL GOLD Films KODAK GOLD Films KODAK MAX Films
KODAK Black & White + 400 Film
KODAK ADVANTIX 100, 200, and 400 Films KODAK ADVANTIX Black & White + 400 Film KODAK PROFESSIONAL SUPRA Films KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Films
It also includes the recommended cycles for processing KODAK EKTACOLOR Papers with KODAK EKTACOLOR PRIME SP, EKTACOLOR PRIME, and EKTACOLOR RA Chemicals for Process RA-4.
For decades, Kodak has been designing and manufacturing films, papers, and chemicals that reduce the impact of photoprocessing on the environment. KODAK EKTACOLOR PRIME SP Developer Replenisher is a new developer for EKTACOLOR Papers that offers even more beneficial features. Formulated in a single part, it is convenient and easy to use. Intended for minilabs with average to high utilization, it will give consistent print quality with less effluent discharged and less packaging waste than KODAK EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher. (See CHOOSING A PAPER PROCESS for more information on the availability and features of this new product.)
Although your choice of chemicals may be limited by your minilab’s design and its level of utilization, choosing the chemicals recommended in this publication ensures that you are using chemicals that provide optimum results with the smallest possible environmental impact. We continue to develop new products that will further reduce chemical use and discharge.
CHOOSING A FILM PROCESS
To determine which chemicals to use for your film process, locate the process cycle that best matches the sequence of processing steps and process times of your minilab.
The following section describes the three basic process cycles for films, and includes a listing of the appropriate KODAK FLEXICOLOR Chemicals for each cycle. You can use any of these cycles with or without a wash step. If you select a washless cycle, carefully follow the recommendations in the footnotes.
Note: This publication does not discuss KODAK FLEXICOLOR SM and EKTACOLOR SM Chemicals, which are designed for use only in specific minilabs. For detailed information on these chemicals, see KODAK Publication No. Z-101, Using KODAK SM Chemicals in SM Minilabs.
Use the cycles in this publication as guides. You may have to modify a cycle slightly to suit the design of your processor. The replenishment rates for each cycle are intended for a typical mix of Kodak color negative films. For more detailed information, see KODAK Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals in Minilabs, or Z-131, Using KODAK FLEXICOLOR Chemicals.
*Do not process films of older design that require a stabilizing agent for image stability in minilab processes using KODAK FLEXICOLOR Final Rinse and Replenisher. These films are KODAK VERICOLOR III Film, VERICOLOR Slide Film / SO-279/5072, and VERICOLOR Print
Film 4111. Process these films only in a processor that uses FLEXICOLOR Stabilizer III and Replenisher.
©Eastman Kodak Company, 2000
Process C-41RA
This film process cycle is the shortest of the Process C-41 cycles, and the one most commonly used in minilabs. You must use KODAK FLEXICOLOR RA Bleach Replenisher NR and KODAK FLEXICOLOR RA Fixer and Replenisher in this cycle.
Process C-41RA requires special equipment that accommodates the shorter solution times, and the processor must provide higher agitation in the bleach, fixer, and final rinse. Check with your minilab manufacturer to determine if your processor meets Process C-41RA specifications.
Although Process C-41RA is intended to be a washless cycle, you can use it with a processor that includes a final wash if it meets the time and agitation requirements.
Process C-41RA Cycle
Solution/Step |
Time* |
Temperature |
|||
min:sec |
°C (°F) |
||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR |
|
37.8 ± |
|
0.15 |
|
Developer |
3:15 |
± |
|||
(100.0 |
0.25) |
||||
Replenisher LORR |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR RA |
1:00 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
Bleach Replenisher |
|||||
(100 |
± |
5) |
|||
NR† |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR RA |
1:30 to 2:00 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
Fixer and |
|||||
(100 |
± |
5) |
|||
Replenisher‡ |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR |
1:00 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
Final Rinse and |
|||||
(100 |
± |
5) |
|||
Replenisher§ |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||
Dry |
As needed |
40 to 68 |
|||
(104 to 155) |
|||||
|
|
||||
* Immersion time plus crossover time to the next tank. Bleach, fixer, and final rinse times are minimums; longer times are acceptable.
† Use only KODAK FLEXICOLOR RA Bleach Replenisher NR. Your equipment must provide the higher agitation required for this solution.
‡Use only KODAK FLEXICOLOR RA Fixer and Replenisher. Use two countercurrent-flow fixer tanks with equal times in both tanks (0:45 to 1:00 in each tank). Your equipment must provide the higher agitation
required for this solution.
§Use three countercurrent-flow final rinse tanks with equal times in all tanks (0:20). Your equipment must provide the higher agitation required for this solution. Replenish the third final rinse tank at 40 mL/135-24 roll (36 mL/m). If your processor has two countercurrent-flow final rinse tanks followed by a single tank, replenish the second countercurrent tank at 40 mL/135-24 roll
(36 mL/m) and the single tank at 20 mL/135-24 roll (18 mL/m). For minilabs with a final wash after the fixer, use a wash time of 1:40 and reduce the final rinse time to 40 seconds. Use a wash rate of
1250 mL/135-24 roll (330 mL/ft) for a two-stage countercurrent-flow wash. Double this rate for a single wash. Use a final rinse replenishment rate of 33 mL/135-24 roll.
Starting-Point Replenishment Rates—
Process C-41RA
|
Starting-Point |
|
||
|
Replenishment Rate |
|||
Solution |
|
|
|
|
mL/135-24 Roll |
mL/25-Exp |
|||
|
ADVANTIX Film |
|||
|
(mL/m) |
(mL/m)* |
||
|
|
|||
FLEXICOLOR Developer |
19 (17) |
11.1 |
(10.2) |
|
Replenisher LORR |
||||
|
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR RA |
5 (4.5) |
3.4 |
(3.1) |
|
Bleach Replenisher NR |
||||
|
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR RA Fixer |
35 (32) |
24 |
(22) |
|
and Replenisher |
||||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR |
|
|
|
|
Final Rinse and |
40 (36) |
27 |
(25) |
|
Replenisher |
|
|
|
|
*These rates are averages based on an estimated film-speed mix in 25-exposure rolls of KODAK ADVANTIX Films.
Process C-41B
The primary feature of this cycle is that it is shorter than the standard Process C-41 cycle. It eliminates both washes and uses a shorter fixer time. Most minilabs that use Process C-41B use the washless version. However, if your minilab includes a final wash, see footnote §, below.
Process C-41B Cycle
Solution/Step |
Time* |
Temperature |
|||
min:sec |
°C (°F) |
||||
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR Developer |
3:15 |
37.8 ± |
± |
0.15 |
|
Replenisher LORR |
(100.0 |
0.25) |
|||
|
|||||
FLEXICOLOR Bleach III |
3:00 to 4:20 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
NR Replenisher |
(100 ± |
5) |
|||
|
|||||
FLEXICOLOR Fixer and |
4:00 to 4:20 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
Replenisher† |
(100 ± |
5) |
|||
|
|||||
FLEXICOLOR Final Rinse |
2:20 |
38 |
± |
3 |
|
and Replenisher‡,§ |
(100 ± |
5) |
|||
|
|||||
Dry |
As needed |
40 to 68 |
|||
(104 to 155) |
|||||
|
|
||||
* Immersion time plus crossover time to the next tank. Bleach, fixer, and final rinse times are minimums; longer times are acceptable.
† Use two countercurrent-flow fixer tanks with equal times in both tanks (2:00 to 2:10 in each tank).
‡ Use three countercurrent-flow final rinse tanks with equal times in all tanks (0:47 in each tank).
§If your minilab uses a final wash, also install a wash between the fixer and final rinse with a wash time of 1:40. Reduce the final rinse time to 40 seconds, and use a replenishment rate of 35 mL/135-24 roll (32 mL/m). Use a wash-flow rate of 1250 mL/135-25 roll (1080 mL/m) for a two-stage countercurrent wash or 2500 mL/135-24 roll
(2160 mL/m) for a single-stage wash.
2 |
Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Minilab • J-36 |
Starting-Point Replenishment Rates—
Process C-41B
|
Starting-Point |
||
|
Replenishment Rate |
||
Solution |
|
|
|
mL/135-24 |
mL/25-Exp |
||
|
Roll |
ADVANTIX Film |
|
|
(mL/m) |
(mL/m)* |
|
FLEXICOLOR Developer |
19 (17) |
11.1 (10.2) |
|
Replenisher LORR |
|||
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR Bleach III |
5 (4.5) |
3.4 (3.1) |
|
NR Replenisher |
|||
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR Fixer and |
35 (32) |
24 (22) |
|
Replenisher |
|||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR Final Rinse |
40 (36) |
27 (25) |
|
and Replenisher |
|||
|
|
||
*These rates are averages based on an estimated film-speed mix in 25-exposure rolls of KODAK ADVANTIX Films.
Process C-41
This process cycle is sometimes used in older minilabs. It most commonly includes water washes. To use the washless version of this cycle, follow the recommendations in the second footnote under the table.
Process C-41 Cycle
Solution/Step |
Time* |
Temperature |
||
min:sec |
°C (°F) |
|||
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR |
|
37.8 ± |
0.15 |
|
Developer Replenisher |
3:15 |
|||
(100.0 ± |
0.25) |
|||
LORR |
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR Bleach |
4:20 to 6:30 |
38 ± |
3 |
|
III NR Replenisher |
(100 ± |
5) |
||
|
||||
Wash† |
1:00 to 3:15 |
24 to 41 |
||
(75 to 105) |
||||
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
FLEXICOLOR Fixer |
4:20 to 6:30 |
38 ± |
3 |
|
and Replenisher‡ |
(100 ± |
5) |
||
|
||||
Wash† |
2:10 to 3:15 |
24 to 41 |
||
(75 to 105) |
||||
|
|
|||
FLEXICOLOR |
|
24 to 41 |
||
Final Rinse and |
1:05 |
|||
(75 to 105) |
||||
Replenisher |
|
|||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
Dry |
As needed |
40 to 68 |
||
(104 to 155) |
||||
|
|
|||
*Immersion time plus crossover time to the next tank. Bleach, fixer, and final rinse times are minimums; longer times are acceptable.
†Use a two-stage countercurrent-flow wash. For a single-stage wash, double the replenishment rate.
If your minilab uses a final rinse step instead of a final wash, eliminate both washes. Use three countercurrent-flow final rinse tanks with a minimum final rinse time of 2:20 (0:47 in each tank). Use a final rinse temperature of 38 ± 3°C (100 ± 5°F) and a replenishment rate of
40 mL/135-24 roll (36 mL/m).
‡Use two countercurrent-flow fixer tanks with equal times in both tanks (2:10 to 3:15).
Starting-Point Replenishment Rates—
Process C-41
|
Starting-Point |
||
|
Replenishment Rate |
||
Solution/Step |
|
|
|
mL/135-24 Roll |
mL/25-Exp |
||
|
ADVANTIX Film |
||
|
(mL/m) |
(mL/m)* |
|
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR Developer |
19 (17) |
11.1 (10.2) |
|
Replenisher LORR |
|||
|
|
||
FLEXICOLOR Bleach III |
5 (4.5) |
3.4 (3.1) |
|
NR Replenisher |
|||
|
|
||
Wash |
1250 (1080)† |
850 (734)† |
|
FLEXICOLOR Fixer and |
35 (32) |
24 (22) |
|
Replenisher |
|||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
Wash |
1250 (1080)† |
850 (734)† |
|
FLEXICOLOR |
|
27 (25)‡ |
|
Final Rinse and |
35 (32)‡ |
||
Replenisher |
|
|
|
* These rates are averages based on an estimated film-speed mix in 25-exposure rolls of KODAK ADVANTIX Films.
†For a two-stage countercurrent-flow wash. Double this rate for a single-stage wash.
‡If your minilab uses a final rinse instead of washes, use a replenishment rate of 40 mL/135-24 roll (36 mL/m) or
27 mL/25-exposure roll (25 mL/m) of ADVANTIX Film.
Monitoring Your Film Process
Use KODAK Control Strips, Process C-41, to monitor your film process. Follow the procedures described in KODAK Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals in Minilabs, or Z-131, Using KODAK FLEXICOLOR Chemicals.
Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Minilab • J-36 |
3 |
Loading...