P3D Re: E6 processing

[Ronald Beck <ronald-beck@xxxxxx>]

I believe, back in 1975-76 when I had a photography student as a
roommate, my roommate developed his own slides with an E6 kit because he
didn't want to wait the week or two (or longer) it took to send his
photos out to be processed.  Of course, that was back when it took a
week or so for any photos to be processed and returned.

Now, with one hour E6 processing available, I'd be much more inclined to
take it in, wait an hour or two and then pick it up.  No worries about
leaking light onto the film while loading it into the tank, having the
chemicals at the right temperature, processing for the required time,
etc...

If there weren't the plethora of one-hour shops with the ability to do
slides (E6), I'd say go for the do-it-yourself route.  As it stands
today, I'd use the one hour shops.  

Of course, I also have my oil changed at those 10 minute places too! 
Takes less time and less mess on my part and the car still gets new oil!

Ron

> There are what appears to be simple 3-step E6 kits, I figure maybe a
> changing bag, and tank and some chemistry, I could probably do it.  I
> note that LA-based Freestyle has a "variable temperature E6 3-step, thus
> eliminating the need for the 100-degree temperature bath.  Anyone tried
> these?  I have no idea what the yields are, so I have no idea what cost
> per roll to process nets out to.
> 
> Another alternative is reversal processing for black & white film, to
> yield B&W transparencies.  Okay, not color, but we do have stereo pairs
> here.  Processing options are either the Kodak T-Max reversal kit, or a
> kit available from Photographers Formulary ("formula developed by Hans
> F. Dietreich and appeared in the March/April 1988 issue of Darkroom
> Techniques": Anyone get this publication?).  Film can certainly be had
> cheap.
> 
> Is this a false economy?  Does anyone in P3D land do their own
> processing?
>


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