PROCESSING SUCCESS (UPDATE)
By Bill Reid (Area 20).
As I wrote in my last article, in the Janaury 91 issue (PROCESSING SUCCESS), (page 14-15), I had been very pleased with the results of my Autumn processing, having processed 3 Konica (old stock) in a 600ml brew of the C.R.C. Formula, with no sign of the `Tobbacco` effect that has troubled me for so long. This was after almost a year of suspecting and changing, every chemical the formula uses to make sure all the chemicals were completely fresh. I also took considerable precautions when both making up cassettes of film from Bulk rolls, replacing the lens cap after every shot and replacing the camera back into my holdall bag, in an effort to avoid any possibility of light leakage, which I feel sure is the real source of the trouble.
During my Summer holiday I took exactly the same precautions, this time processing 8 x 36exp cassettes of the new Konicachrome film and have repeated that success and, not only being able to verify the excellent quality of the new emulsion which has greatly improved the REDS & GREENS of this fine film, but also proves the excellence of the C.R.C. formula. I am now feeling extremely confidant with the formula and my weighing and mixing, which, is a very good feeling indeed after so many failures since taking up weighing and mixing.
Two members also claimed the same trouble over this period which added to the mystery and worry over both the CRC Brew and the C.R.C.Kit!! However, having since received sample strips of film of the actual affect they were having, it confirmed that their problem was nothing like my Tobacco' effect, which was a great relief to Kevin (Kit producer) and Ron Croad (Club Chemical Sales), and proved the problem(s) had nothing to do with the Chemical Formulae itself. That fear can be put to rest for good.
The sample slides looked completely washed out, with next to no colour of any density. As they said their initial test run proved O.K. and the problem followed afterwards, it would seem that some sort of contamination had crept in along the way, though! as with my faith in my working methods, they felt sure that their working methods were as equally "Fussy" as to make this almost impossible, I was unable toassist in sorting out their particular problem(s). However, my experience does seem to show that once you get a processing problem you really MUST suspect every stage of your working procedure and try to elliminate various stages to try and pin down the source, and that can take a long long time.
I was puzzled by getting the problem while using two different cameras. In the end I concidered the only `common denominator` were theplastic re-loadable cassettes. Even though I have been using these for some years without problems it could be that they are now showing their age from regular use. I shall only be using metal ones from now on.
I hope that this annoying problem is now `SOLVED` and that those who are still having problems will soon find the source of their poor results. I havn`t yet tried the C.R.C. Kit so can`t give any comment on this `brew`, but I am sure Kevin Craske will give every assistance tosort things out, but as I say WE really need to look at every stage of OUR working procedure to see if WE aren` doing something wrong, no matter how miniscule, before blaming the C.R.C. Formula or Kit.
My thanks to all the C.R.C. members who have assisted with this problem. It has made my experience of W&M very enjoyable. I hope too more of you will give W&M a try, it really is the fun way to process your slides.