EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC - New C41 Low Throughput Chemistry

EnviroNeg Developer 60 and EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 for C41 Process Low Throughput

Applies to : All C41 processors only achieving low film throughput - all minilabs and other processors


Introduction

Low film volumes are causing major quality problems at many laboratories - in particular high stain (DMin) and low speed and contrast. Conventional chemistry was just not formulated for for the low film levels currently being experienced - and with volumes likely to get lower rather than better the problems can be expected to worsen. Fuji Hunt EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC and EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC have been designed and introduced to allow you to maintain a good film process quality even with greatly reduced film volumes.

A more detailed version of this article containing much more information can be found by clicking here.


EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC and EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC

EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC is specially designed for use in all types of film processor that are having problems with low throughput. This includes minilabs, professional dip & dunk (hanger) type machines and hand lines (also known as deep tank processing), and even photofinishing processors that are now too big for your current film volumes. FUJIFILM Europe has published separate Technical Information Sheets (TIS) for professional and photofinishing processors, available on our esclusivo web site.

EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC is designed as the ideal partner for EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC for use in all types of film processor that employ the C41RA process – typically minilabs. This single part bleach concentrate replaces your existing RA Bleach, and will greatly reduce the base stain in your process, with resulting increases in print shadow detail and overall print quality.

EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC and EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC have shown to give very considerable improvements in both process stability and process quality with the minimum of effort on the part of the processor operator. These results have been proven with extended field testing over a long period of time.


Developer and Bleach Selection (Minilabs - C41RA)

EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC is run at 60 ml 135-24 film under normal low throughput conditions. When use of EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC is indicated, EnviroNeg Bleach 10 AC should also be used. The following table can be used to select the most appropriate products for your processor.

C41 Developer Selection and Replenishment Rate Chart (Minilabs)

Films/Week
Developer Tank Volume (litres)
510152025304050
200
150
100
80
60
40
20
10
Key :
Use EnviroNeg Developer LR AC / EnviroNeg RA Bleach AC
Use EnviroNeg Developer AC / EnviroNeg RA Bleach AC
Use EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC @ 60 ml/135-24 / EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC
Use EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC @ 70 ml/135-24 / EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC
Not Recommended

For professional and other processors, please see the full article by clicking here.

Very Low Throughput

EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC (and EnviroNeg RA Bleach 10 AC for the C41RA process in minilabs) has been designed to allow good quality C41 film processing in the range shown in yellow on the above graph – which covers most low throughput situations. If your film throughput is even lower – in the green region shown on the graph above – it is still possible to run a satisfactory film process by increasing the replenishment rate of ALL baths – developer, bleach, fixer and stabiliser – by 15% from the standard low throughput recommendations. This will allow good results from a processor with a 10L developer tank and film volumes as low as 3 films per day. You will never have a perfect process with such low film volumes, but the results are very much improved from any other options you have available other than frequent processor retanking, and very acceptable for obtaining good quality prints.


Summary

The use of EnviroNeg 60 Developer AC (and EnviroNeg Bleach 10 AC for C41RA minilabs) will go a long way to help with improving process quality and reducing process control problems, and also avoid the need for frequent chemistry dumps and retanks. The chemistry will cost you more per film processed than standard chemistry, but this cost is more than offset by the chemistry and time saved in not having to regularly dump and remix your chemistry - and you get a geatly improved process as part of the deal. You will be able to offer a good or very good quality film process instead of producing flat, thin negatives and very poor quality prints. This can only improve your film processing volume - or at the very least help retain the volume you currently have.


Further information

Further information is available in our Technical Information Sheets and Product Information Sheet, available from your FUJIFILM representative.

Last updated : 24 September 2008