Mini-lab chemicals? Fuji CN-16FA?

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Nick Zentena - 28 Apr 2004 21:48 GMT

Does anybody know anything about these? How pratical is it to use
these in a non-minilab setup?

Thanks
Nick

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Jazztptman - 29 Apr 2004 00:57 GMT

Fuji CN-16 is their designation for C-41. it is compatible with all color
negative films. I don't remember the FA portion, but they have different
versions for chemical delivery, one of which uses a cartridge like the Fuji
Frontier. That is classified as CN-16S, and would not be practical for home use
as it is designed to mix automatically in the minilab. I can't find any
reference to FA on their web site, and this may be an older bottled version
they are no longer using in new equipment.
Bernie

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Nick Zentena - 29 Apr 2004 01:56 GMT

> Fuji CN-16 is their designation for C-41. it is compatible with all color
> negative films. I don't remember the FA portion, but they have different
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> they are no longer using in new equipment.
> Bernie

Hi,
The document I downloaded from the Fuji hunt website is dated 2001 so
it could be older. The process seems faster then standard C-41. 50 seconds
for bleach. Then 50 for bleach/fix and a final 50 for Fixer. What sounds
like a shorter wash and a normal developer.

I've been offered a chance to buy a fair bit of chemicals from a place
that resells old mini-labs. I guess the chemicals came with a unit they
bought. So I'm wondering if there is anything special I need to think about.
The price would seem good if I can make use of the chemicals.

Thanks
Nick

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Jazztptman - 30 Apr 2004 04:57 GMT

Nick said: > The document I downloaded >from the Fuji hunt website is dated
2001 >so it could be older. The process seems >faster then standard C-41. 50
seconds

>for bleach. Then 50 for bleach/fix and a >final 50 for Fixer. What sounds
>like a shorter wash and a normal >developer.

OK, that makes sense. Fuji is using the term FA to describe what is otherwise
known as C-41 RA, with the RA standing for rapid access. Standard C-41
development, but fast bleach and fix times using more active chemicals, as
well as very efficient agitation built into the minilabs racks and tanks.

The "bleach-fix" is not a separate chemical. Fuji lets the fixer overflow back
into a tank between bleach and fix, and the bleach also overflows into that
tank, giving a combined "bleach-fix".

You could probably use these chemicals in a small tank or rotary tube with more
normal C-41 bleach and fix times, and keeping the bleach and fix as two
separate steps. Don't worry about the "beach-fix." I would suggest buying a
small quantity of the chemical and trying it. If you lke the results, buy the
rest.

Make sure you get the developer starter, as the developer will mix into a
stronger replenisher strength, which will need additinal water and developer
starter to reduce activity to a normal tank solution.

Bernie

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Nick Zentena - 30 Apr 2004 12:05 GMT

> You could probably use these chemicals in a small tank or rotary tube with more
> normal C-41 bleach and fix times, and keeping the bleach and fix as two
> separate steps. Don't worry about the "beach-fix." I would suggest buying a
> small quantity of the chemical and trying it. If you lke the results, buy the
> rest.

Hi,
It's a whole package of stuff. Quite a bit actually. I tried to take
notes about everything but it was so much I more or less gave up after six
bottles of bleach. So you're saying just use one bleach and one fix step? I
was thinking of three steps bleach,bleach/fix and then fix but just using
two steps would be simpler.

Thanks
Nick

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Nick Zentena - 30 Apr 2004 20:33 GMT

> The "bleach-fix" is not a separate chemical. Fuji lets the fixer overflow back
> into a tank between bleach and fix, and the bleach also overflows into that
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> stronger replenisher strength, which will need additinal water and developer
> starter to reduce activity to a normal tank solution.

Well I gambled and picked everything up. While I can't say I lost [the
price was too good] it's not what I thought either. I ended up with enough
RA-4 paper developer for 16litres of working solution. 8litres of paper
bleach/fix. Which is funny since it was supposed to be nothing but film
chemicals. In addition to that I got a bunch of film bleach and fix. The
only real issues are the developer. I only got part A so unless Fuji sells
part B and C without having to buy part A I guess I'll have to mix my own
developer. No stablizer either. But overall a lot of stuff for very little
money. I should be able to work around the stuff that's missing some how.

Thanks
Nick

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