C41v1.1: Cross Processing Cinema Film using C-41 Chemicals

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I had some time recently to try out an iteration on my cinema film cross processing recipe.

I wanted to give standard C-41 development another chance since the semi-stand development recipe I've been working on hasn't been panning out as well as I'd hoped.

The photos were scanned with my Plustek OpticFilm 7200. I believe that there is a light leak or some problem with my scanner since the scans have a vertical discoloration in the exact same spot.

Leica M6 TTL, Summilux 50mm ASPH lens with 85A filter, Kodak Vision3 500T film @ ISO 500, 1/500s, f8, C41v1.1 developed

Leica M6 TTL, Summilux 50mm ASPH lens with 85A filter, Kodak Vision3 500T film @ ISO 500, 1/500s, f8, C41v1.1 developed

C41v1.1 Recipe

Preparation

Create the rem-jet rinse in a large jug by putting in about 2 tbsp of baking soda and filling it with hot water. The rinse needs to be around 40°C.

Water Bath

  1. Fill cooler halfway with 50°C water

  2. Put the Developer and Blix bottles into the water bath

  3. Fill a 500mL beaker with the water and leave it in the bath

Rem-Jet Removal

10+ minute duration while the Develop and Blix are heating up in the water bath

  1. Soak the film in the rem-jet since for 5 minutes (30 seconds of initial twisting agitation)

  2. Dump the rinse

  3. Wash the film in the tank with warm water until most of the rem-jet has been cleaned out

  4. Soak the film in the rem-jet rinse again for 3 minutes (30 seconds of initial twisting agitation)

  5. Dump the rinse

  6. Wash the film with warm water until no more rem-jet comes out or until the Developer in the water bath is at 40°C

Development

3 minute duration measured from first contact of Developer to film

  1. Pour in developer

  2. 30 seconds of initial twisting agitation

  3. 4 agitations per 30 seconds thereafter

  4. Pour Developer back into the bottle 10 seconds before time is up

Rinse

1 minute duration

  1. Pour in the water from the beaker in the water bath

  2. Gently swirl the water around and dump

  3. Repeat for a minute

Blix

6.5 minute duration measured from first contact of Blix to film

  1. Pour in the Blix (no initial agitation)

  2. 4 agitations per 30 seconds thereafter

  3. Pour Blix back into the bottle 10 seconds before time is up

Rinse

4 minute duration

  1. Take off the tank lid

  2. Under warm running water, continuously fill the tank with water, swirl it around and dump

Final Rem-Jet Removal

  1. De-spool the film into the water bath

  2. Using a pec-pad that's been wetted with the water, place it on the non-emulsion side of the film (where the rem-jet is)

  3. Use two fingers to gently sandwich the film and pec-pad, then gently pull the film through the fingers

  4. Repeat using a clean side of the pec-pad until no more rem-jet is coming off onto the pec-pad

  5. Re-spool the film

Stabilizer

1 minute duration

  1. Pour the Stabilizer into the tank, making sure the film is completely submerged

  2. 10 seconds of initial agitation

  3. Tap the tank on the counter 5 times to dislodge any air bubbles

  4. Pour Stabilizer back into the bottle

Now the film is ready to be hung to dry!