Tetenal Colortec C41 2 bath. Stabilizer and reusing chemistry

[art_arkin]

Hello,

 

I bought a Tetenal c41 2 bath kit and it works perfectly with my Jobo ATL 1500.

Having now gone through 5 litres of chemistry at roughly half the yield

advertised on the box (some 30 odd rolls, box says 60) Im ready to attempt a

second run using the longer dev time.

 

The problem however is that Im nearly out of stabiliser and as it turns out,

Tetenal don't sell this separately. Should I buy something like Kodak or Fuji

hunt instead and will this be compatible with film processed in Colortec chemistry?

 

Tetenals colortec stabiliser is Formaldehyde free, at least it isnt listed as an

ingredient on the bottle. I suspect it contains some kind of funky antibacterial

agent along with the regular photoflo surfactant soapy stuff.

 

I also use their Mirasol wetting agent for black and white film. This stuff also

contains antibacterial, antifungal and antistatic agents and no sign of

Formaldehyde. I'm half suspecting that its the same stuff. Can anyone confirm

that Mirasol will act as a C41 stabiliser? Remember, Mirasol is not just photoflo.

 

I've saved the spent stabilizer, Im not sure if this is any good, its gone pink.

Perhaps it has enough action left for another 30 odd rolls but Im not sure I

trust it. I've already had a few rolls marked by weird bluish drying streaks

that show up in scans. These appear after 3 or 4 rolls have gone through the

solution. I use roughly 500ml of stabiliser which seems good for about 3 rolls

before it goes pink and these drying mark like streaks appear.

 

Do any of you know what these straks mean?, Is it contamination, should I use a

greater volume of stabiliser.

 

Any help or suggestions are welcome and most appreciated.

[Fotohuis RoVo]

The Mirasol before around 1997 was also anti-bacterial and contained some Formaldehyde which is also necessery to stabilize the color couplers inside the C41 film.

Further it's a regular wetting agent.

 

To get rid of the Formaldehyde manufactureres had to find some alternative stabilizers.

For your health certainly better, for the film on longer termin I do not think so.

 

You can make your own Formalin 1% solution by solving 27 ml 37% Formaldehyde in 1 Ltr. wetting agent. Use protective materials (gloves, eye protection) and enough ventilation. Then you have your own stabilizer. Formalin will stabilize the color couplers, harden the C41 film and no bacteria will survive this stuff.

 

Just one disadvantage: It's a nasty solution and working with it is not without any risk.

You can also use the Fuji Hunt or Kodak C41 stabilisers.

[discpad]

You can use the Kodak, Agfa or Fuji Hunt C-41 stabilizers -- In fact, I would wager they are all better.