One
of my more interesting - and successful - undertakings since the last
issue has been an opportunity to try out the well-packed and presented
Photocolor Chrome ‘R’ kit which embraces a packet of Kodak Ektachrome
R22 paper and a full complement of liquid chemicals to process this -
though the solutions are equally suitable for R14 paper.
The
opportunity was provided by Neil Numby, a member with whom I share my
darkroom, and I must say that - I was truly impressed with the quality of
a 7 x 5 print of a close-up of a rose printed from one of my own slides.
Not only this, though. This excellent print was obtained after just three
sheets of paper had been wasted in getting to a really acceptable print. I
wouldn’t go so far as to say the print is perfect (I feel that just a
slight amount of filtration is needed to gain a result very near
perfection) But it was very good. And here is the surprise of surprises...
NO filtration at all was used. More trials are planned and I’ll be
reporting more on this aspect of reversal processes next time.
COMMUNICATIONS
AND ALL THAT!
Since my last contribution I have been heartened by the interest shown in
my three-bath formula. Not all, naturally, have been favourable. In fact
Rita & Major Pearle of Colchester were so disillusioned that they were
contemplating getting rid of their stock of chemicals and joining the
brigade of Kits.
This
caused me to mix fresh Dl & D2, expose some film for the express
purpose of proving to them (and to re-assure myself) that my solutions
really do work. I did all this despite the fact that the examples Mr.
& Mrs. Pearle sent me were, in my opinion, very good. The snag seemed
to be the Leader. which was, I freely admit of a somewhat tobacco-ish hue.
And again I freely admit, this seems to be typical of the combined
bleach/fix solution which, of course, is the real ‘soul of the
Three-bath system. But it would seem that this is not confined to my
formula. Dedicated kit members have admitted that even they cannot get the
same clear leader with ‘BLIX’ as with the old Ferricyanide bleach and
Hypo fixer
So the film I exposed was put. through my Dl, washed, then
exposed to a Photoflood, followed by D2. a Ferri bleach and Am. Thio. fix
and the results sent on to Colchester. Of course this is a slight
deviation from the three-bath version. In fact it is a Four-bath formula.
Obviously I have to work some more on the Blix. The point though, is that
I purpously processed this film in NY solutions exactly as mixed! No
adding of Sod. Hydroxide or Sul. Acid to regulate the pH value. Only after
the film had been processed did I test the pH with my meter. The readings
were Dl pH 9.8. D2 pH 1l.’7. These are slightly lower than given in my
original formula in the January issue But the Pearles described my
frames as “Terrific”. How’s that for a spot of trumpet
blowing?
Anyway,
I’m delighted to report that Mr. & Mrs. Pearle have abandoned all
thoughts of changing over to kits. I trust more of you out there will
follow them. More than half the enjoyment has gone if you rely on some
geyser to make up the solutions for you. So please, all you doubtfuls -
have a go.
BILL
TRIES HIS HAND
Reg Long of Area 19 reminds his members that Bill Reid has been trying his
hand at weighing & mixing. And recalls the green cast Bill has
experienced as being the trials most of us have endured at some time or
other. Reg calls on his experience to combat this menace of, the home
mixer. He found that the usual antidote was to reduce the pH of the Colour
Developer. This, of course, can be so true and I am one of the
believers that the colour balance is affected solely by the pH of D.
Reg. uses close-range pH papers as a guide and suggests four rolls between
ranges pH 4 to pH 12 as the most suitable. Whilst I have no experience of
pH papers I wouldn’t have thought them sufficiently accurate for
photographic work. On the other hand, of course, any help is better than
no help at all.
May I here
record my sincere thanks to the Area
Leaders who have kindly let me have copies of their local Newsletters
I really sin grateful for it does help to provide copy for this column -
and hopefully- useful information to the more general membership .Anyway,
as the Colour Reversal Club is concerned. For, surely, if members fail to
keep in touch, pass on ideas and information, - the Club will assuredly
die. And I’m sure no present member would want that to happen.
Bob Lewis of
Area 9 hits the proverbial nail on the head when he suggests that it is
time for some younger blood to take a more active part in the running and
organisation. He points out that once an Area has lost it’s Leader, for
whatever reason, membership appears to get less. You know, it’s so true.
Whilst Bob hastens to explain that he is not trying to give up the reigns
he IS going to ask for an election for his own Area. New blood and all
that sort of thing .Personally I feel that this is all to the good and, as
Bob says, it would be democratic.
CHEMICALS....
FOR FREE
Had a welcome visit from my own Area Leader recently and Eric Weatherill
very kindly brought me a large box of chemicals (of the raw kind) which
were very acceptable even though some, were at least 20 years old However
not all were of that vintage and many will be, I‘m sure, quite usable.
Eric is a former RAF pilot and his interest is aeroplanes and he is
still as keen today as 40-odd years ago. This was evidenced by a few
slides he brought of Concorde and some superb shots of the Red Arrows at
practice. Obviously Eric is quite adept with the camera as he used to be
with the joy-stick Thanks Eric
GEORGE
GETS AMONGST THE WILD FLOWERS
Area 22 Leader George Sparkes, in his local Newsletter, Describes an
enjoyable course he and his wife attended at the Snowdonia National Park
with. Wild flowers as the subject. George says he 'dumped’ his zoom
the first day- too heavy, was it, George? - and his wide angle on the
second day - cant think of any reason for this - but he finally found his
standard lens plus a 14mm auto extension just up his street and as he
says, he got:some cracking close-ups of the “buttercups and daisies”.
AREA
THREE IS GOING UP
There’s good news from Roy Salmons, Leader of Area 3, for he reports. a
slowely growing membership with a welcome return of Bill Johnson who was a
founder member in. the old CR50 days. There are now 24 members - and
don’t they span an areas All the way. from Preston, down through~ to
Wellington - the one in New Zealand, if you please - not Salop. There’s
also a member in Brisbane, Australia. The Area Three Newsletters most
certainly get around.
Roy
also has some mouth-watering bargains on offer from his Photoworld shop
including a long list of raw chemicals and for the printers - if you buy
two packets of. Agfacolor paper, Agfa Speed or Agfa B&W … wait for
it - you get a further packet FREE. Full particulars from Photoworld,
Queen’s Road, Llandudno, LL3O I AZ.
oooooooooo00000oooooooooo
I had a letter
from Patrick Fraser who I am sure you will know from the many articles he
sent on Agfa 50 processing and many other items I’m sorry to hear that
he has more or less given up home-processing, and likewise, has dropped
out from C.R.C. membership and what photography, he now does is sent off
for processing.
Well its very
sad to loose the membership and services of members such as Patrick and I
felt I couldn’t let him go without showing OUR thanks for the assistance
he has given the club over the years. Patrick was an Area 20 member but
moved up to Newton Stewart in Wigtonshire, Scotland but kept up his
contact with us. I would like to take this opportunity in wishing Patrick
all the best and good health for the ‘future. Ed.