Has anybody here processed their own E6 before?

Any tips I should know?

I've done it once, it's pretty annoying to do as you have to keep all the chemistry at exactly 37deg celcius. It's not worth doing it: send it to the lab... my opinion.

The best tip is to use a jobo or something similar to keep it at the right temperature.

Really? 100 degrees isnt bad and is definitely doable with a water bath.

Posted by tron_2.0 Really? 100 degrees isnt bad and is definitely doable with a water bath.

Spek isn't kidding, though. It has to be kept AT 100. The slighest variance can cause color shifts and other unpleasant results.

Other than saving a dollar, are there any real advantages to developing your own colour film?

Edit: I guess it'd save you a trip to the lab, but still..

It's sometimes difficult to find local labs that will cross process.

Posted by micro Other than saving a dollar, are there any real advantages to developing your own colour film? Edit: I guess it'd save you a trip to the lab, but still..

Well, I'm just interested in trying my hand at it. No real reason other than to see if I can get decent results.

I do my own b&w and color, but never done E6. I'm gonna try my hand at it this summer and see how it goes. Its worth a shot.

(E-6), Its not bad, but you can't push/pull in as wide of a degree of latitude as b&w or c-41.

Plus you can mount or leave in strips, 'contact print' internegs, & slide mounts with glass are great!

Developing colour \(C-41) is great b/c you can tweek you film developing & exposure to obtain what you feel are the 'best results'. But mostly I like to b/c I hate when a lab scratches or f's up my negs. Also privacy is a comfort, and a reassurance to your subject, (i.e. pictures of satan's hollow etc. ;o) )

Try Arista E-6 kits, you can process between 70 - 105 F (just different developing times of course) plus they come in pint sizes for small 'just trying it out' batches. I find the Kodak kit (1gal. !!!) to be just too much chemistry, I get sick of it before the chem. is exhausted.

Posted by micro Other than saving a dollar, are there any real advantages to developing your own colour film? Edit: I guess it'd save you a trip to the lab, but still..

Masturbatory bragging rights, clearly.

Old thread, but anyone else do this? Its really easy to do and it actually saves me over two dollars a sheet of 4x5. My processor has already almost paid for itself...

Processing E-6 is quite rewarding and very fun. Just be careful mixing up the right amounts of chemicals (and be careful with them too. I later found out that some splashes of one of the chemicals ate holes in my vest and left lots of bleached spots). I used a phototherm machine to keep times and temperatures controlled, I couldn't imagine getting consistent results without something like it.

Posted by tron_2.0 Old thread, but anyone else do this? Its really easy to do and it actually saves me over two dollars a sheet of 4x5. My processor has already almost paid for itself...

I'm still really bitter that you got a Jobo for $50.

Want me to process your E6 for you?

I might take you up on that offer. Do you also do C41?

I can do C41, I actually have been debating switching to print film because the chemicals are so cheap compared to E6. I've never done C41 though, so you'd have to give me some time to do my own tests.

But yes, E6, I think I could do $1.50 USD a sheet. Less for C41.

Awesome. Let me know when you're up and running.

E-6 and C-41 are next on my list of things to do in the darkroom. I don't have the money for the chemicals or the equipment right now...I've just got my own B/W darkroom.

My next mission b/w wise is large format (just need to get the money for the negs), and if I enjoy that, then I'd love to try it in colour (which by the sounds of it, if I do it myself, will save me money)

My dad has done both by hand, and simply said... "Don't", when I asked him it would be worth trying myself. I beg to differ, hehe. Nothing makes me happier than a darkroom

A lot of people say that processing your own color film is not worth it.

I believe quite the contrary. It is not expensive, it is not challenging, and it provides control over the entire photographic process.

I also believe it can be done without a Jobo or rotary processor.

Posted by tron_2.0 A lot of people say that processing your own color film is not worth it. I believe quite the contrary. It is not expensive, it is not challenging, and it provides control over the entire photographic process. I also believe it can be done without a Jobo or rotary processor.

Depending on your budget, though. I've read a lot about it, and definitely want to give it a try at some point, but likely not until I'm finished with any schooling. Black and white is about all I can manage to afford right now.

But it's definitely a go, at least to try once, when I can reasonably afford it.