P3D Home E6 Processing

[Jim Dusen <jdusen@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

E6 slide processing is possible in a home set up. By doing so you are
able to schedule your own turn around time and do not have to travel
across town or risk mailing your film out. You can also take pride in
doing things yourself.

I use Tetenal's 3 Bath Plus E6 500ml kit which will process six rolls of
135-36 for about $18.00. This is a condensed  version of regular six
bath E6 kits. It's easier to use and comes in smaller quantities for the
occasional user. At about three bucks per roll that's cheap. And you can
do your own push or pull processing if you like. Processing a couple
rolls and getting them mounted in one evening is no big problem.

So what is involved in equipment?  I don't expect most people to go out
and purchase a JOBO CPP-2 rotary process like I use...especially at a
cost of $1,600. But I've processed E6 in front of camera club audiences
with a minimum of equipment. And your kitchen, or bathroom is much more
convienent than a meeting place.

Here is what will get you by and keep your start up cost down.

Film processing tanks holding two reels of film can be had for as low as
$15.00. Once your film is in the tank you can work in room light. 

To get the film in the tank you need to remove it in total darkness. If
you have a light tight room that's fine. To be sure it is light tight
sit in the room for about five minutes. Let your eyes adjust to the
darkness then look for faint outlines of objects or spots where light
creeps in. If you can see things then it's not dark enough and you risk
fogging your film. In that case you might want to buy and use a film
changing bag which is a also good thing to have in the field for
emergencies. They cost about $15.00.

The counter next to a sink becomes your temporary lab.

You need chemical bottles. JOBO has a kit of four 600ml bottles for
about $15.00. 

You'll want to get a tub where the film tank and four chemical bottles
will sit. You're probably better off going to a discount store and
getting something cheap. The tub will be filled with water that needs to
be maintained at 100 degrees F...or what ever is recommended. This will
keep the containers at a constant temperature...very important!  You can
keep adding warm water to maintain the temperature or a
controller/heater can be purchased. Adorama has one for about $100.
Maybe a fish aquarium heater at a much cheaper price would work.

At any rate you need a good thermometer. Don't use the one off the barn.
Get one made for photography. They go from $10.00 on up.

All your processing steps need to be timed. Either use a wall clock or
your watch. It should have a second hand. The venerable Gralab timer
goes for about $90.00. 

So you've mixed your chemicals and preheated them to the correct
temperature. What do you do and how long does it take?

When a chemical is in the film tank you lift it out of the warming 
tub and gently invert it a few times for the first thirty seconds 
then every thirty seconds invert it for five.

The first developer at 100 degrees F goes for 6 minutes.
A 2 minute water wash follows. 
The color developer goes for 4 minutes.
Another wash for 1 minute.
The Bleach/Fix is 6 minutes.
Final wah is 3 minutes.
The stabilization bath is 30 seconds.

Squeegy your film off...I just use two fingers...or buy a film
squeegy... and hang it up to dry in an area that is dust free.
Just be careful not to scratch the film. Note: Film chemicals,
especially color chemicals can be nasty. Use with care. Maybe
you better not use your fingers...at least wash them after.

Set up time is maybe ten minutes.
Processing time...less than a half hour.
Drying time...maybe an hour...depending on humidity.

Now you're ready to cut up your film, mount and view it!

I know I've over simplified things but this message is long enough
for you to decide whether home processing is worth trying.

Jim Dusen   
Manager of Photographic Services  SUNY College at Brockport