How to Develop Color Slide Film

You can process slide film using a E6 developing kit.

Developing photographic film is about using the correct chemicals, for the correct amount of time and at the correct temperature. This is particularly true when developing color slide film. Color film is more sensitive to variations in water temperature and length of time than black and white film is. When done correctly, you can not only save on processing fees, you can also have the satisfaction of developing your own photographs.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Film changing bag
• Small developing tank
• Film reel
• E-6 developing kit
• Four chemical bottles
• Holding tray
• Scissors
• Film clip or clothespin
• Archival film holders

Instructions

1. Place the slide film canisters into a film changing bag with a film reel, processing tank with lid and a pair of pliers. Close the double zipper on the processing bag.

2. Carefully open the film canister with the pliers and load the slide film onto the film reel. This takes some practice. You may want to use a test roll and try this step under full light before doing it inside of the changing bag. It is imperative the film be loaded onto the film reel in complete darkness; otherwise it will be ruined. When loaded, place the film reel into the tank and place the lid on top of the tank. Remove the tank from the changing bag.

3. Mix the chemicals into individual holding bottles precisely per the instructions for the individual chemicals. Label each bottle with the step number. If the sequence is not followed, the film will be ruined.

4. Place the bottles into a holding tank full of water at 38 degrees Celsius. Because this process takes more than 20 minutes to complete, you may want to run water in the tank so that it is steady at 38 degrees Celsius. When the water is at that temperature, place the tank holding the slide film in the tank of water for five minutes to warm the film.

5. Dump the water out of the tank and pour the first bottle containing the developer into the tank. Set a timer for six minutes. Agitate the tank by rotating your wrist in it for 15 seconds at one-minute intervals. Dump the developer out at the six-minute mark. Add water with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius into the tank and agitate the tank for two minutes. Dump the water out at the end of two minutes.

6. Pour the second bottle containing the color developer into the tank, set a timer for six minutes and follow the same procedure of agitating the tank for 15 seconds at one-minute intervals.

7. Pour the third bottle containing bleach/fix solution into the tank. Agitate for 15 seconds at one-minute intervals for six minutes. Pour the solution out and add water at a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius. Agitate for two minutes. Dump the water out.

8. Add the fourth bottle containing film stabilizer to the tank and agitate for one minute. At the end of this step, you can remove the lid of the developing tank.

9. Place the tank containing the film reel under the tap and run lukewarm water through the tank for 15 minutes.

10. Carefully lift out the film reel, remove the developed slide film from the reel and hang the film to dry using a clothespin or film clip. Cut the slide film into strips of five frames and place the strips into archival film holders.

References

• Yarki: E6 Film Developing