Telescope Reviews: Re: E200 - E6 Home Processing

Kona gave an excellent overview of color development without a processor. I'll try and add a few things here and there.

While one needn't get a processor to get started developing color I would recommend getting film tanks that would be compatible with a processor should you want to get one down the road. I use a Jobo 1520 tank which will hold two rolls of 120 or two rolls of 35mm(36ex). This tank will work with Kona's method and it will also work with the Jobo CPE2 which is their least expensive processor. Look for used Jobo equipment as the new prices are very high, and as the last film pros jump ship for digital there are bargains to be had. My CPE2 was obtained for $150 and it came with 2 tanks (1 for 4x5) and a bunch of other odds and ends. New they go for around $700. The processor does make things easier and it will also make your results more consistent.

As Kona said, Kodak E6 kits are the best and come in 5-liter size. I would mix small working solutions as needed and have stored the stock chemistry for 5 months without it oxidizing. I also have switched to using 3-bath kits as they are much quicker to mix and use.

If you have never developed film before at all I would really recommend starting with some B&W. It is a lot more forgiving but uses a lot of the same techniques and equipment as for color, if anything just for the practice of loading film onto the reels that go into the tanks. Spooling the film is one of those things that seems impossible when you first try it. But like riding a bike, once you get it you never lose it.

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Brendan

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