Cinestill C-41 Development Times
p.1 #1Cinestill C-41 Development Times
I've been using the Cinestill C-41 kit for its simplicity, and my first three rolls (1 Ektar, 2 Portra 400) turned out great...
From what I read online, the chemistry can handle up to 24 rolls per 1000ml (entire kit), with an approximate expiration of 2-3 months. If this is not the correct information, please let me know.
I believe I overlooked an essential step in my development process though. According to Cinestill's recommendation, I should've added an extra 2% of development time after every roll...So, my first roll was correct at 3:30m, but the second set of 2 rolls (Portra 400)) should've had an additional 9 seconds (2% for each roll) but I incorrectly used the same 3:30min. The results were still great but perhaps should've been 3:39 min instead?
Now, as I'm gearing up for my next two rolls (4th and 5th), I want to rectify my previous mistake. Should I go with 3:47 seconds this time?
I made this quick table and wanted to confirm if this is correct. Thanks for your help.
From what I read online, the chemistry can handle up to 24 rolls per 1000ml (entire kit), with an approximate expiration of 2-3 months. If this is not the correct information, please let me know.
I believe I overlooked an essential step in my development process though. According to Cinestill's recommendation, I should've added an extra 2% of development time after every roll...So, my first roll was correct at 3:30m, but the second set of 2 rolls (Portra 400)) should've had an additional 9 seconds (2% for each roll) but I incorrectly used the same 3:30min. The results were still great but perhaps should've been 3:39 min instead?
Now, as I'm gearing up for my next two rolls (4th and 5th), I want to rectify my previous mistake. Should I go with 3:47 seconds this time?
I made this quick table and wanted to confirm if this is correct. Thanks for your help.
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Nov 30, 2023 at 05:37 PM
p.1 #2Cinestill C-41 Development Times
I agree with the 3:47. At least that's how I interpret it as well. I do both 35mm and 120 and use the +2% regardless, which may not be right.
Nov 30, 2023 at 09:39 PM
p.1 #3Cinestill C-41 Development Times
Keahi08 wrote:
I agree with the 3:47. At least that's how I interpret it as well. I do both 35mm and 120 and use the +2% regardless, which may not be right.
Thank you for confirming, Jesse. I'll give it a shot during the next development session, maybe even today.
I agree with the 3:47. At least that's how I interpret it as well. I do both 35mm and 120 and use the +2% regardless, which may not be right.
Thank you for confirming, Jesse. I'll give it a shot during the next development session, maybe even today.
Dec 01, 2023 at 09:49 AM
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p.1 #4Cinestill C-41 Development Times
I'd probably rather over develop than underdevelop, so 3:39 sounds good. Haven't done C41 though. But temperature control is probably a bigger deal than a bit extra development
Dec 01, 2023 at 10:23 AM
p.1 #5Cinestill C-41 Development Times
Been there, done this! My rule of thumb doing many C-41 developments is that it is more important to add time the longer the developer sits. The extension of time is made for more oxidation of the developer - which can occur both by usage and by air. Most important is to store the developer in a bottle with the least amount of air between fluid phase and cap. This will increase the storage time of the chemicals significantly especially when kept at room temperature and not too warm.
Of course if you develop several color film one after another also development time has to be adjusted. I never did this - I only developed 1-2 films at once, then the developer was sitting in storage for a while. From my experience the increased times made only sense after > 3-4 weeks of storage. Before this oxidation was very low in the developer and 3:30 minutes was good to go. After a few weeks I simply went with 3:40 or 3:45 - didn't make a difference in the final photos.
Of course if you develop several color film one after another also development time has to be adjusted. I never did this - I only developed 1-2 films at once, then the developer was sitting in storage for a while. From my experience the increased times made only sense after > 3-4 weeks of storage. Before this oxidation was very low in the developer and 3:30 minutes was good to go. After a few weeks I simply went with 3:40 or 3:45 - didn't make a difference in the final photos.
Dec 01, 2023 at 01:19 PM
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p.1 #6Cinestill C-41 Development Times
retrofocus wrote:
Been there, done this! My rule of thumb doing many C-41 developments is that it is more important to add time the longer the developer sits. The extension of time is made for more oxidation of the developer - which can occur both by usage and by air. Most important is to store the developer in a bottle with the least amount of air between fluid phase and cap. This will increase the storage time of the chemicals significantly especially when kept at room temperature and not too warm.
Of course if you develop several color film one after another...Show more →
Absolutely, I'm relieved I caught this before moving on with the remaining roll developments. Today, I developed only one Fuji 400 roll for 3 minutes and 43 seconds since it's my 4th roll. It looks like I've dialed in the correct timing now, considering Cinestill suggests adding an extra 2% per roll. I will be using the chart I posted above until about 24 rolls.
Been there, done this! My rule of thumb doing many C-41 developments is that it is more important to add time the longer the developer sits. The extension of time is made for more oxidation of the developer - which can occur both by usage and by air. Most important is to store the developer in a bottle with the least amount of air between fluid phase and cap. This will increase the storage time of the chemicals significantly especially when kept at room temperature and not too warm.
Of course if you develop several color film one after another...Show more →
Absolutely, I'm relieved I caught this before moving on with the remaining roll developments. Today, I developed only one Fuji 400 roll for 3 minutes and 43 seconds since it's my 4th roll. It looks like I've dialed in the correct timing now, considering Cinestill suggests adding an extra 2% per roll. I will be using the chart I posted above until about 24 rolls.
Dec 01, 2023 at 07:57 PM
p.1 #7Cinestill C-41 Development Times
@fredmiranda - any update on your color developing? I'm ready to pull the trigger on the C-41 developing kit and would love to hear if you're still doing this and how it's going.
Feb 18, 2024 at 06:44 PM
p.1 #8Cinestill C-41 Development Times
Same here. I’m just gathering all the info I can before taking the dive into developing at home.
rji2goleez wrote:
@fredmiranda@ - any update on your color developing? I'm ready to pull the trigger on the C-41 developing kit and would love to hear if you're still doing this and how it's going.
rji2goleez wrote:
@fredmiranda@ - any update on your color developing? I'm ready to pull the trigger on the C-41 developing kit and would love to hear if you're still doing this and how it's going.
Nov 10, 2024 at 05:53 PM
p.1 #9Cinestill C-41 Development Times
I'm interested too. If I can do this at home, I'd be shooting a lot more color. Also, how stable are the developed negatives one year out? I've heard that separate bleach and fix translates into better stability over a blix process. I have a hunch that won't make a difference for my purposes, but I'm still curious.
Nov 10, 2024 at 09:03 PM