Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder)
Tetenal C-41 Press Kit - Consisting of just one bag of powder each for color developer and bleach/fix, the Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film is perfect for the traveling photographer or anyone who needs long shelf life, fast mixing and quick processing with consistently excellent results.
This kit is specially designed for the traveling journalist; this chemistry is compact and safe for air travel. Equally well suited for processing with hand inversion tanks and in rotary processors.
Two plastic bags contain the crystals which when stirred in warm water dissolve in seconds, not minutes. There is also a paper envelope with stabilizer in crystal form.
The processing time at 45°C is 10:30 minutes! At 38°C the time is 13:15.
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 67 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Compact (30)
- Consistent reactions (25)
- Easy to use (22)
- Easily cleaned (12)
- Great picture quality (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Developing (41)
- Photography (16)
- Landscape/scenery (5)
- Family photos (4)
- Sports/action (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (33), Semi-pro photographer (17), Pro photographer (6), Casual photographer (4), Enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (47)
Most Liked Positive Review
Tips and Pointers
Rather than repeat the previous reviewers' comments about how easy this kit is to use and the great results it produces (it is, and it does), I'm going to give a few tips...Read complete review
Rather than repeat the previous reviewers' comments about how easy this kit is to use and the great results it produces (it is, and it does), I'm going to give a few tips about using it.
1. Your kit may come branded "Tetenal," "Jobo," or "Unicolor." They're all exactly the same kit, so don't worry about the name on the box.
2. Get a good thermometer. The Weston dial thermometer elsewhere on this site is excellent.
3. To mix up the solutions, I microwave a jug of distilled water until it reaches the recommended temperature, then mix each solution in a 1L graduate and pour it into an opaque plastic bottle. Wash and rinse the graduate and any other glassware thoroughly before mixing the next chemical - a drop of blix in the developer, for example, will kill the developer.
4. Unlike the Kodak and Fuji C-41 chemistry, the Tetenal stabilizer does not seem to include a wetting agent. To fix that, I add a few drops of PhotoFlo to the stabilizer after mixing it up. Without this addition, I get water spots all over the negatives.
5. To start processing, put the developer, blix, and a 1L bottle of water in the microwave on "high" for 3 minutes, check the developer temperature, then microwave some more if necessary, until the developer is up to about 40-41 degrees C. The other solutions will be around the same temperature at that point, and only the developer is really critical. Once they're warmed up, leave them sitting out with the thermometer in the developer bottle, so you can monitor its temperature.
6. While microwaving the solutions, get your film loaded onto your reels and into the tank. I use the Samigon plastic tank and reel system, which is also available from B&H.
7. Fill a plain plastic dishpan with very hot tap water. If your developer cools down too quickly, you can set the solutions in there to warm them back up.
8. When the developer is at 39C, pour the heated water into the tank for the pre-soak, and follow the instructions the rest of the way through the process. I find a three-way digital kitchen timer very handy, but you could use any timing device if you're careful. Start pouring out the previous solution about 15 seconds before its time is up, so you can add the next solution exactly on time.
9. As others have noted, the kit is pretty forgiving about times and temperatures, so don't pitch a fit if the developer cools a half-degree too low or you take a few seconds longer to fill the tank with blix. I haven't tried doing this with developer at room temperature, but others say that works with a slight adjustment to the time.
10. The stabilizer is supposed to be at room temperature. I think that's to keep it from evaporating too quickly.
11. DO NOT rinse the film after the stabilizer. The stabilizer's main function is to coat the film with an antimicrobial compound (hexamine, I think). Color negatives without this coating will rot, so don't rinse it off. That's why I add the PhotoFlo directly to the stabilizer, rather than put it in a separate rinse as I would for black-and-white film.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Mixed results, but I'm no pro...
It's difficult to give this kit a fair rating, since results are subject to my own competencies. I used this to develop 6 rolls of 120 film (so far). Five of the rolls...Read complete review
It's difficult to give this kit a fair rating, since results are subject to my own competencies. I used this to develop 6 rolls of 120 film (so far). Five of the rolls were Portra 800, and one roll was Fuji 160 Pro. The Fuji film came out stunningly good, as good or better than the lab I usually use (NCPS). If I were to base this review solely on that, it would be 5 stars for sure. The Portra came out less well. Two of the rolls had a color cast that was very difficult to impossible to correct digitally. The remaining 3 rolls came out fairly well, just a slight (and correctable) color cast, but not what I would call professional results. Maintaining temps was easier than I thought, so I don't think I messed anything up during the process, but I'm definitely a newbie...
Reviewed by 67 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Bought the kit to keep from sending film through mail to be processed. Worried about temp control but so far, after 3 rolls 120 (Fuji and Kodak), I am impressed with results. Instructions are detailed but easy to follow. The negatives produced scan nicely which gives me more digital processing options.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Works really well. Great price.. really easy to use
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
After processing B&W for a while decided to take a try at C-41 using this kit. It was was easier than I thought it would be! The results look fantastic! I will be buying this kit for as long as it's available.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Convenient
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Underwater
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
It was a pleasure to use this kit. It mixed readily and accurately. The negatives are beautiful and smooth and sharp. I had never developed color film before. I'd developed countless rolls of B&W over the past 2 years but I'd always shied away from developing c41. This kit is this most exciting thing in my new arsenal. Clear explanation of every step were included in the package. I will absolutely be a repeat customer.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Pros
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- None
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Developed two rolls of film so far - one Portra 400 and one Fuji Pro 400, both with excellent results. I have to admit that I was surprised at both the simplicity and quality of the process. Instructions accompanying the chemicals are short and to the point. I wish I had known of this simple, easy to use kit years ago.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
I use this kit to develop 120 slide film and it's excellent. I use a developing tank to shake it by hand, but the developing times are still short and a roll takes about an hour to develop. Getting the developer and blix to 102F is the most time consuming part. I've only developed 3 rolls, but so far this kit is giving the results I want. Also, the shipping time was really fast, which is always a nice thing.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Film development
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Product is great and easy to read directions. Perfect for my color film class. Loved it!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
the product contains all you need to develop your C41 film rolls, instruction included. Good if you want to learn without spending a lot of money for all the chemicals.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Processing color film
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
I used the kit to process two rolls of c-41 film, one kodak and one fuji at the same time, and both came out perfectly good, with a professional lab look. the temperatures were easy to maintain in a simple tub of water.
great stuff, this kit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Durable
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Once I felt comfortable developing B/W .. I was ready buy this and give it a go .. and what to you know .. it works!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Affordable
- Dev temp seems forgiving
- Ease of use
Cons
- Mixing direcs a tad vague
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
First time processing c-41 negs at home and it couldn't be easier. Developer doesn't seem to be exhausting (more than expected) over the course of a month with 10 rolls of 135 film (276 exposures). Blix and Developer stored in refrigerator topped off in container (by squeezing solution bottles) apparently extends chemical life.
After some research, the stabilizer does contain a wetting agent. However, if you're in an area with hard water, do yourself a favor and mix with distilled or you'll get hideous water marks when dried (in my experience).
I'd also recommend mixing the Blix outside or in an EXTREMELY well ventilated area. The reaction of the blix, first mixed, puts off a cloud of gases and an unwanted smell that may linger for days. All in all, excellent kit that rivals prolab results with proper care.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
- Excellent Value for Money
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
I was always told that developing colour neg was difficult and dangerous. I use this product in my bathroom and the results have been excellent. I wouldn't go drinking the solutions but as long as you are careful it's all good. The times and temperatures require a bit more precision than b&w but still easily obtainable. The final image quality is probably slightly less than that of a professional lab. But, because of the excellent value for money, and ability to develop all formats of film in locations where commercial services are unavailable, I am still happy to give this product 5 stars.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Great chemistry kit for developing color film c-41, the directions are very straight forward. The kit offers a simple understanding to develop negatives without taking a formal class the only flaw i found was the measurements.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
For my first attempt t developping color film, I have chosen this classic, cheap and very user friendly kit. The results are stunning, it is easier than developping B&W film. I will definitely adopt it.
JP
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Good product and easy to follow instructions. I recommend wearing a dust mask when mixing and good ventilization when in use. Mix in a Glass beaker so you can tell all the powder granuals are throughly mixed before adding to storage containers. I found works best if temps are very close to chart recommended temps (+/- 5 degrees).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
It works! just make sure you calibrate your thermometer with ice water. The temp has to be just perfect.
Pros
- Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Developing
- Photography
- Printing
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
I have been using this kits for about 15 years now. Initially, I started using it before the digital era, as I was a news agency photographer and this was part of our bred and butter, it is quick (faster than regular c-41 4-5 bath) and the result are of professional quality. Tetenal has always enjoyed an excellent reputation amongst darkroom users. This developing kit doesn't disappoint it does what it says in the label, it does it well and quick. Nowadays I use it in a Jobo processing machine for developing my large format color negatives.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Cheap
- Compact
- Do it yourself
Cons
- Chemicals expire
Best Uses
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
My first time developing colored film, followed the instructions to a T, films came out very nice. However the chemical lasts for only a few months (3) before it starts to go bad.
Price per roll to develop is about $1.50 a roll, very cheap.
Over all very fun product to use and convenient if you don't live near a photo lab.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Reactions
Cons
Best Uses
- Developing
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
As easy as developing bw. Highly recommend giving it a try, very rewarding and convenient.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Consistent Reactions
Cons
Best Uses
- Developing
Comments about Tetenal C-41 Press Kit for Color Negative Film (Powder):
Bought this as my first foray into C-41 developing. Clear, easy to follow instructions, simple enough to go through and great results at the end. Am using this to process 120 film and cross process slide and love the results. Hard to go wrong with this kit. Is even a convenient 'press kit' size for road trips and the like when you get the burning desire to process film on the road (I know I do).
Ultimately, a simple, concise colour film kit that demystifies C-41 for everyone.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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Tutorials
- Price: $14.95
This is not a regularly stocked item. Estimated arrival at B&H is 7-14 business days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.
Developing & Processing Supplies
- Price: $2.60
What's in the Box
- Developer (2.3 oz)
- Blix A (5.8 oz)
- Blix B (2.9 oz)
- Stabilizer (0.2 oz)
- Instructions
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