Developing old Fuji Single8 R25 and RT200 films

[Pilvari Pirtola]

hi, I'm doing some experiments with multiple exposure on single8 films and I would like to try out developing the films myself on a morse tank. I've been searching info on those at it seems that cross processing them on E6 could work out, but how about C41 or ECN2? For simplicity I am thinking of using cinestill powder kit, does anyone have experience with those on fuji single8 stocks?
I've seen somewhere mentioned that the remjet on single8 films would be more difficult to work out than what's on ecn2 stocks, is that true and how should one deal with it? 

 

 

[Andrew Wise]

I’ve developed fujichrome r25 in ecn2 and tried a reversal process using b&w as first dev, then ecn2 as 2nd dev. Both worked ok.

the remjet is particularly bad, it comes off as flakes and strings, it sticks all over the rest of the film and gets stuck in the emulsion. I used a lomo tank, and I couldn’t fine a way to wash it off successfully. 
 

 

[Pilvari Pirtola]

On 5/31/2024 at 1:40 PM, Andrew Wise said:

I’ve developed fujichrome r25 in ecn2 and tried a reversal process using b&w as first dev, then ecn2 as 2nd dev. Both worked ok.

the remjet is particularly bad, it comes off as flakes and strings, it sticks all over the rest of the film and gets stuck in the emulsion. I used a lomo tank, and I couldn’t fine a way to wash it off successfully. 
 

 

b&w as first dev for color reversal? didn't know that could work too, got any frame samples anywhere? 

 

[Pilvari Pirtola]

gotten a bit forward with e6 & c41 kits, but now I got two rolls which were completely blank after developing, looks like the emulsion has gotten out. some of my clip tests in same tank were ok, so I am wondering has there been some change in R25 emulsion at some point and maybe the E6 is too hot for it or what could be the issue?

I recall maybe some mention that there has been change in the emulsion, but thought it was only R25 vs R25N?

[Robert Houllahan]

On 11/2/2024 at 5:51 PM, Pilvari Pirtola said:

b&w as first dev for color reversal? didn't know that could work too, got any frame samples anywhere? 

 

All E6 processes are a B&W first developer then a re-exposure (Light or fogging agent) and then a color second developer.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Hi!

Please keep in mind that the first Fuji R25 (Fujicolor R25) was using the K-12 process (yes, that is one of the older Kodachrome processes). The switch to EM-25 happened when the film got renamed to Fujichrome.

Tak (from Retro8.com) once stated that they are using E6 chemicals plus an extra step with an extra chemical to remove the remjet on the Fujichrome. But he didn’t state what this was. I also don’t know whether they are using different temperatures or timings for Fujichrome.

There have been reports that you can remove the remjet with backing soda (same as for ECN-2). But after this step with the soda, you’ll still need to clean the film mechanically (sponge or similar) as the soda doesn’t completely remove the remjet, especially when it’s an older film without „N“ after the ASA value.

Good luck!

[Pilvari Pirtola]

8 hours ago, Joerg Polzfusz said:

Hi!

Please keep in mind that the first Fuji R25 (Fujicolor R25) was using the K-12 process (yes, that is one of the older Kodachrome processes). The switch to EM-25 happened when the film got renamed to Fujichrome.

And this IS what I did not know! Other cart was fujicolor, so it failed due to that for sure.
What I searched now EM-25 would need lower temperature than E6 so I think that is why the emulsion fell off. Will do next tests in room temperature to try to find proper times for Fujichrome, and have to check if there is more Fujicolor in the carts I have in freezer, I guess it is only bw possible for that now. 

thanks!

8 hours ago, Joerg Polzfusz said:

Tak (from Retro8.com) once stated that they are using E6 chemicals plus an extra step with an extra chemical to remove the remjet on the Fujichrome. But he didn’t state what this was. I also don’t know whether they are using different temperatures or timings for Fujichrome.

There have been reports that you can remove the remjet with backing soda (same as for ECN-2). But after this step with the soda, you’ll still need to clean the film mechanically (sponge or similar) as the soda doesn’t completely remove the remjet, especially when it’s an older film without „N“ after the ASA value

Good luck!

I've done a quite a lot of strip tests now and some rolls and the remjet seems to either come off easily or it is really extremely hard to get off. One roll took me two or three days to scrub off the remjet and I did several baking soda baths for it.. which seemed to soften it a bit at a time.. I have seen some recipes for fuji remjet which mention borax and something else besides baking soda but still trying to figure out where to get those chemicals easily.