C41B Process Chemistry

Fuji Hunt chemistry for the C41B process is available for (older) C41B minilab film processors - typically identified by having a bleach process time in the range 3 min to 4 min 20 secs. Any of the developers mentioned below can be used, depending on the film volumes in your minilab and the developer tank size.

Developers

EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC is a very high replenishment rate developer, specially designed and introduced - after extensive and long running field tests - to handle the very low film throughputs commonly found these days in many - perhaps even most - minilabs. This developer will give improved process quality and stability for anyone running with minimal film volumes - even down to 3 to 5 films per day on a processor with a 10L developer tank. Further information can be found by clicking here.

EnviroNeg Developer AC is a standard replenishment rate developer particularly suitable for lower throughput minilabs. As at June 2008, this effectively means relatively busy minilabs as identified from the table below. For the off-season when volumes are lower (or very!) very low, the new EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC is a much better option. With the general decrease in film levels experienced by most minilabs worldwide, this "standard" 45ml/135-24 replenishment (double the LR replenishment rate) should be given serious consideration as the standard developer for all minilabs currently running LR-type developers - or even change directly to EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC. You will get much higher film image quality which will more than repay the increased chemical usage and help to avoid the need to retank an exhausted (oxidised, LR-type) developer - in fact, apart from a very few sites, use of EnviroNeg LR developer is now very difficult to justify. The higher replenishment rate leads to improved process stability and cleanliness due to shorter tank turnover time and offers significant advantages where good process control has proved difficult. Using standard EnviroNeg Developer AC in higher volume periods can be interchanged with EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC in very low volume periods without the penalty of having to retank the processor - all you need to do is change the replenishment rate when you change the type of developer. A great bonus for the future!

EnviroNeg Developer LR AC is a low replenishment rate developer only suitable for use in high volume minilabs and finisher laboratories.

EnviroNeg Developer VLR AC is a very low replenishment rate developer, suitable only for very highest volume processors only.

Development with the above developers is for the C41 standard time of 3 min 15 sec.

Developer Selection

The following table can be used to help you decide on the best developer for your processor :

C41 Developer Selection and C41B Bleach Selection Chart

Films/Week		Developer Tank Volume (litres)
	5	10	15	20	25	30	40	50
200
150
100
80
60
40
20
10
Key :
		Use EnviroNeg Developer LR AC / EnviroNeg B Bleach 3 LR AC
		Use EnviroNeg Developer AC / EnviroNeg B Bleach 3 LR AC
		Use EnviroNeg Developer 60 AC @ 60 ml/135-24 / EnviroNeg B Bleach 3 LR AC
		see "Very Low Throughput" below
		Not Recommended

EnviroNeg B Bleach 3 LR AC is available for the C41B and C41BNP processes where bleach time is in the range of 3 min to 4 min 20 sec.
Replenishment rate is very low at only 5 ml/135-24 film. EnviroNeg B Bleach 3 LR AC is part of the Air Control product range.

EnviroNeg FF Superflo Stabilizer MB AC has been introduced as a more environmentally friendly formaldehyde-free (FF) option that also offers improved resistance to algae. Its release in combination with an innovative style of package offers another environmental feature: less packaging waste.

C41B Product List

A product list for Fuji Hunt C41B products can be downloaded by clicking here.