Velvia 4×5 and Tetenal E6 one shot technique
February 20, 2013
I want a one shot process that gives me a maximum film yield of 12 films per 1000ml Tetenal working solution, and I want to process 12 4×5 sheets of film at a time.
After successfully trialling the Tetenal E6 3 bath kit on Velvia 4×5 50ISO, I intend to make some modifications to the procedures set down by Tetenal.
- First, I will be using a one shot technique, rather than the re-use technique, thereby eliminating the need for adjusted development times from chemical activity depletion.
- One shot has the potential to minimises the overall process time and it also avoids the risk of cross contamination of chemistry.
- One shot also avoids the problem of volume depletion of solutions, especially of the first developer, from the incomplete return of all solution.
- I intend to use the chemistry to obtain the full yield of films as recommended by Tetenal, ie 12 films per 1Litre of working solution. This is equivalent to 48 sheets of 4×5 (4 sheets of 4×5 = one 120 film =one 35mm 36exp film).
- For the developing I will be using a Jobo CPE2 processor with a 2550 drum and 2 4×5 reels, holding a maximun of 12 sheets of 4×5.
- The maximum volume of solution for my Jobo is 600ml. This will ensure all film is in contact with the solutions during agitation.
- I will be using only 250mls of working solution for each batch of 12 sheets. That’s because according to Tetenal, 1000mls of working solution has sufficient development activity for 48 sheets, therefore, by proportion, 250mls has enough activity for 12 sheets.
- Each working solution, once made up according to Tetenal’s instructions, will then be further diluted with water to make a total volume of 600mls.
- This act of dilution may require additional processing times which I will need to test. So far, my development times have been based upon visual inspection of my own film tests with a grey card.
When I get my next batch of chemistry I will test the times using my new proposed dilutions. If it all goes to plan I will post the results.
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March 19, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Reblogged this on filmcamera999.
March 22, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for your interest. When I do my next batch of film I will post my new times etc.
March 23, 2013 at 3:40 am
great! i await with baited breath!
April 21, 2013 at 9:34 pm
Hello Alex
I’m very interested about your next experiments!
I was in contact with the Tetenal technical support department, they told me its not possible to dilute the first developer to over 20% without getting a higher D-min, also with longer development times.
April 22, 2013 at 5:47 am
Hi Peter, yes dev times will need increasing. It will be interesting to see if constant agitation plus sufficient chemical activity will result in an appreciable change in film base plus fog. I am a little way off my next dev session of E6.