A method for monochrome transparencies processing
by Mikhail Garous


Black-and-white negative films can be given reversal processing, using special chemicals (such as TETENAL B/W Slide Kit and Kodak T-Max Reversal Kit), to produce transparencies. Only Agfa Dia Direct DD12 and Scala 200 films are made specifically for this. Image quality depends on film. Few negative films (Kodak T-Max 100, Technical Pan film, Ilford Pan F), produce quite good results with a direct positive film developing outfit, although the slight overall grey tone cannot be removed and reduces the brightness of the image slightly.

Well known processing technologies are remarkable for bad compatibility, not good image quality and less number of film types are useful for them. There are available film speeds not over than ISO 50-80 with reversal processing.

New in offered method consist of color reversal film application for monochrome images making. Technology is based on substitution of only one bath in E-6 process (toner instead of a colour developer). All the E-6 development time/temperature tables remain the standard.

The advantages of the new method of processing:

- wide area of useful film types (all E-6 compatible, some b&w);
- wide area of push/pull processing;
- it not needs specifically made reversal kit (only one bath with standard E-6);
- daylight film types give more accurate tone reproducibility of colors than b&w films without filters;
- image has very high resolution power, stablest (more than color and silver b&w), not sensitive to light.

PROCESSING STEPS

Three bath processing

SOLUTION STEP
TEMPERATURE (o C)
TIME (minutes)
First Developer*
38+/-0,3
7
Washing
21-44
1-3
Toner
21-44
4-7
Washing
21-44
1-3
Bleach-Fix
21-44
10
Final Washing
21-44
4
Stabiliser
21-44
1
Drying
Not above 60
As needed
* All the first development time/temperature (push/pull processing) tables remain the same that in 3-bath E-6.

Standard (six-bath) processing

SOLUTION STEP
TEMPERATURE (o C)
TIME (minutes)
First Developer
38+/-0,3
7
Washing
33-39
2-3
Pure water*
33-39
2
Toner
33-39
4-6
Conditioner
33-39
2
Bleach
33-39
7
Fix
33-39
4
Final Washing
33-39
6
Stabiliser
33-39
1
Drying
Not above 60
As needed
* Manual processing allows to exclude this step

All push/pull processing first development time tables remane the standard.

Composition of toner solution used instead of color developer

Version 1 (gives brown tones)

Thiocarbamid 5 grammes
Sodium hydroxide 10 grammes
Water 1 Liter

Version 2 (gives neutral tones)

Tin bichloride 5 grammes
Sodium hydroxide 10 grammes
Water 1 Liter

Some another toners also may be used (for example, TETENAL SULPHIDE TONER).

STRUCTURE OF A FILM
DURING MAIN PROCESSING STEPS

COLOUR OBJECT

W
R
M
Y
G
C
B
Black

FIRST DEVELOPMENT

               
               
               
 

TONING

               
               
               
 

BLEACHING-FIXING

               
               
               
 

TRANSPARENCY VIEW

               

© Mikhail Garous, 1995
www.garous.com