GETTING THE BLUE OUT OF BARFEN

J. R. SALTER (Area 3)

The original Barfen CRX100 was made by Fuji, lets call it (CRX100 (F). In my opinion it was the finest transparency film ever made. It gave
excellent colour in sun and no coldness in clouds. It`s speed was ISO 100, and it could be exposed without need for filters, to correct any
colour imbalance. It could be processed in Barfen or Photocolor kits and probably other E6 kits, without modifications.

Without warning, Barfen changed film suppliers to Konica, but retained the original designation of CRX100, even though it was completely different emulsion, let`s call it CRX100 (K).

In my opinion, used as bought with 3 bath kits, unmodified, it is the worst transparency film I have ever used. It gives blue results beyond
belief. Just to contemplate, it`s colour balance brings me out in goose pimples!

My experiments with the film lead me to the following conclusions:-

1. Used as intended CRX (K) gives me dark and very blue slides, when processed in Barfen or Photocolor 3 bath kits. The first conclusion
must be that its speed is approximately half a stop slow, say ISO 75. At this slower rating, slides have correct density, with slightly less
blue, though it is still far too cold.

2. Varying the pH of the first and colour developers, both up & down invarious combinations, effected no noticeable improvement and was abandoned.

3. Adding 5ml of a 10% solution of Sodium Hydroxide to 300ml of Bleach in a 3 bath Photocolor kit produced an increase in warmth. This
was clearly worthwhile, but did not go far enough. Adding more Sod. Hydroxide did not improve matters further,

4. The only way left to produce acceptable results was to use filters. (A) Using an 81A, the results became quite good, though exposure
needs another increase of half a stop. This brings the ISI rating to 50. I could however live with the colour balance now achieved, though
esults in clouds are still cloudy.

(B) Using two 81A filters, or one BDB R6, the speed is reduced another half stop, but the colour balance is superb in sun and cloud. In fact
it is now about the same as CRX100 (F), but at a price, ISO 37 instead of ISO 100! Still the colour is now really good.

EDITOR'S COMMENT

I certainly agree about the damaging change Barfen made over the emulsion swap, and the fact that Konicachrome is just that bit cooler
than Fujichrome. But having used both films with the Barfen kit, with excellent results, and certainly no sign of the reduced speed in regards
to Konica, with my equipment & working methods I can only add that colour balance is very much an individual preference and the slightest change to the process such as adding filters will completely alter the maker's design of that particular film. However, It does leave much room
for thought!