Developing C41 Color Film At Home In 20minutes (Step By Step)

With everyone staying at home I though this would be a good video to over so we can still develop film! Today I'll show you how to develop C-41 Color Negative for film photography. It really isn't hard after you get the hang of it! Disclaimer, I am by no means an expert in developing C-41, I just love the process and have been getting consistent results and wanted to share this information as it doesn't need to be complex!

First video! I hope you enjoy it! Still a little rough but I would appreciate feedback and constructive criticism so I can get better!

*** PLEASE WEAR GLOVES C41 is high toxic and you will save yourself developing your film in a well-ventilated location with gloves. I used my desk to better show the process but usually develop in a well ventilated location ***

Timecodes:
0:48 - Required materials
4:12 - Loading film into a patterson tank
5:18 - C41 notes and keywords before you start
6:10 - Timing your film development process
6:16 - Film development begins HERE
6:17 - Pre-soak
6:45 - IMPORTANT NOTICE (WEAR GLOVES) * PLEASE *
6:54 - Developer
7:46 - Blix
8:25 - Water rinse
8:54 - Stabilizer
9:13 - Hanging your negatives
9:44 - Flattening your negatives

Links below for what you'll need!

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Cinestill CS41 "Color Simplified" 2-Bath Kit (C-41 Chemistry)

Ultrafine Unicolor C-41 Powder 35mm / 120 Film Home Developer Kit

Patterson Universal Tank Multi-Reel 3 Tank (Large)

Patterson Universal Tank 2 Reel Tank (Small)

Darkroom Bag Film Changing Bag

°CS "Temperature Control System", TCS-1000

Instant Accu Slim Sous Vide

LIPAVI Sous Vide Container - Model C15 - 18 Quarts - 17.6 x 11.4 Inch

Kizen Meat Instant Read Thermometer

32 oz. Accu-Pour PP Measuring Pitcher (1 Pitcher)

Distilled Water
Your local store

°CS Collapsible Air Reduction Accordion Storage Bottle, 1000ML

Kaiser Accordion Bottle

Three AP Air Reduction Air-Evac Darkroom Chemical Storage 1-Liter Bottles

Winco PF-8 Plastic Funnel, 4 1/4-Inch Diameter

Coleman 70-Quart Xtreme 5-Day Heavy-Duty Cooler, Blue

Fiskars Softgrip Scissors Straight Stainless Steel, 8 Inch

Sharpty White Plastic Hangers

Coofficer Extra Large Binder Clips 2-Inch

Black Vinyl Disposable Gloves:

Lint-Free Reusable Gloves:

OPTIONAL MATERIALS

FidgetFidget Metal Film Cassette Cartridge Opener

CHEMICAL INSTRUCTION MANUALS

MY CURRENT SETUP

Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless

3 Legged Thing Punks Corey Mag Alloy Tripod Kit w/AirHed Neo

Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording

DISCLAIMERS:

This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
No gear was supplied to me for this video.

The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.

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[sanleesnaps]

I have been developing film during the quarantine and thought this might help out other film shooters wanting to develop at home! I hope this video will give you a start into developing C-41 negatives! Remember to wear gloves and develop in a well ventilated area! Happy developing! :)

[randallstewart]

A tip regarding storage bottles. Using the accordion bottles to collapse to squeeze out air, thus avoiding oxidation of the chemical, seems like a good idea, but it really is not, because:
1. As you agitate chemicals in the tank by inversion, particularly with the terrible design of the Paterson tank system, you are going to flush so much oxygen into solution that this concept is trivial.
2. The plastic used for these bottle is oxygen permeable, so a little more air inside to start with is trivial.
3. This style of bottle costs 2 to 4 times as much as other bottles.
4. The accordion folds inside will accumulate chemical deposits as you return used chemicals to the bottle. (As do all bottles to some extent.) However the folds prevent the bottle from being cleaned, so you end up tossing it out or getting cross-contamination of the contents.
So, buy clear, amber bottles with proper chemical sealing tops for about $2 instead of this Cinestill crap for $10 each.

[elleeven]

You nailed it. From someone who used to develop B&W film in school and remembers learning this process: this was textbook level info, yet digestible & accessible. Thanks dude. Solid tip on the accordion bottles.

[amoebaeffect]

Easily the most direct, clear and informational video I could find on developing c-41. Bless

[Joe_Does_Stuff]

Nice video! Quick tip: Since you're hanging your film on your shower curtain rail, you could reduce dust in the air by running the shower and steaming up the room prior to hanging. It's saved me quite a bit of time with an air blower / photoshop to get hairs and dust off my negatives.

[johnjbh]

I was thinking of trying C41, you explained the process well, thank you.

[marsthestrs]

Saved my I was so worried to check after and everything came out well, thank you

[DavidBrown-zpbr]

Loved the content! Little tip to help in the flatting process: while hanging the film to dry, take an empty film canister and feed some of the excess/leader strip back into the canister, until the canister is secured via the film. This extra weight helps not only de-curl the film for scanning, but also straightens the film while drying, leading to a quicker and all around more efficient dry.
Now we just gotta getcha to ditch the stabilizer for Photo Flo!

[youarefound]

After so long of trying to find a more reliable video, you make it so f**king simple, i love it! I really appreciate it and im ready to now buy everything and take more notes from this 🔥

[photomaster]

Nice what your doing, think about what your background is showing. I do like how you keep on the subject and provide images as far as how and what you need. Keep doing what your doing.

[JesseHdez]

This is the best video I've watched regarding this process

[PizzaMike]

About to do my first C41 rolls this week. This video was super helpful. Thanks!

[pjbassman]

I just recently started developing b&w. Hoping to try color soon. Great video. You took the fear out of color developing for me.

[dylanh]

CS-41 waddup!! Dope video, David! I can't wait to give this a shot myself.

[Cid_Coletti]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. Really appreciate the effort put forth.

[franciscovarela]

Comprehensive explanation of developing with the C41 process.

[clarewilliams]

CS41! Definitely saving this, thanks so much for making it so easy to follow 😊

[maximedaniel]

Thank you for this video!! I was looking for a quick guide to the c-41 color negative film development process. And I think your video covers a lot of really good points like getting distilled water to keep out impurities??? Genius!! You’re doing a great job creating helpful content good sir

[nicklopro]

Here's my feedback! YOU DID GREAT! lol listen I love finding fellow reel dawgies out here on the interwebs. If you run across one of my shorts, I hope you don't mind my brazen disregard for details. I'm not trying to be a film photography blasphemer. Just trying to be me man. You're doing great talking about all the details. I'm in a sort of analog desert out here in rural texas. Trying to connect with reel film dawgies online. Subbed! See you on the scroll!

[EliBeaversonVisuals]

CS41!! Dude so so good - the b-roll is awesome and loved seeing this step by step! Really cool process and excited to see more videos!