Instructions for Tetenal E6 Three Bath Plus
500ml and 1 liter Kits
Application:
This chemical kit is used for color reversal films that are recommended for the E-6 process. It is also used for Agfa AP-44 and Fuji CR-56 film and other compatible processes.
The chemical kit consists of three baths (plus stabilizer) rather then the traditional 6 bath process.
Reversal takes place in step two along with the color development. Bleaching and fixing are performed in step three.
Mixing Instructions:
Contamination of first developer by the color developer, bleach-fix and stabilizer Must be avoided.
Store all solutions in tightly closed bottles.
Mix chemicals in order, first developer, color developer, bleach-fix and stabilizer. Make sure to rinse out mixing and measuring vessels completely between each chemical.
After adding each component, make sure the solution is thoroughly mixed, before adding the other components.
For E-6 3 Bath Plus 500 ml Kit ( Part# 109327)
- Do not squeeze the bags when opening.
- Cut one of the upper corners with scissors.
- Clean scissors before opening next bag.
- Empty each pouch completely.
| Component | Water | Add | To make |
| First Developer | 300 ml | Pouch contents | 500 ml |
| Color Developer | 300 ml | Pouch contents | 500 ml |
| Bleach- Fix | 300ml | Pouch contents | 500 ml |
| Stabilizer | 450ml | Pouch contents | 500 ml |
For the E-6 3 Bath Plus 1 Liter Kit (Part# 109328)
| Component | Water | Add | To make |
| First Developer | 800 ml | Bottle Contents | 1 liter |
| Color Developer | 600 ml | Part 1 & Part 2 | 1 liter |
| Bleach- Fix | 600 ml | Part 1 & Part 2 | 1 liter |
| Stabilizer | 900 ml | Bottle Contents | 1 liter |
Keeping properties:
In a completely filled and closed glass or PVC (plastic) container, the chemicals will keep on average of the following.
First developer 2 weeks
Color developer 6 weeks
Bleach-fix 3 months
Stabilizer 3
months
Productivity:
500 ml will process up to 6 rolls of 35 mm or 120 film. For 220 film only 3 rolls should be processed before the chemicals are disposed of. Chemicals should be discarded after three runs regardless of the total number of rolls processed.
One liter of chemicals can process up to 12 rolls of 35mm or 120 film, or 6 rolls of 220 film, before the chemicals should be discard. Chemicals should be discarded after three runs, regardless of the total number of rolls processed.
General processing Hints:
Processing steps and instructions must be carefully observed. The first developer is the most critical phase of the process. Consistent results are only achieved if temperature, time, and agitation are followed.
Lengthening the first development time leads to lighter slides. Shorting the time will produce denser slides. For further information refer to Pushing / Pulling film below.
First development time also depends on the film being processed. Fujichrome films should be processed 16% longer in the first developer then Agfa or Kodak films.
Washing may be safely done for longer times than instructions indicate.
The tank, lid, and reels of all processing tanks must be completely dry before using again.
Processing by hand inversion:
- Bring the temperature of the working solution to 38°C/100°F in a water bath.
- Pre-warm the outside of the tank only for five minutes at a temperature 38°C/100°F in the water bath. Do not pre-soak the film.
- Maintain the temperature of the tank by placing it the water bath between agitation cycles.
- Maintain the temperature of the water bath by adding more hot water as necessary.
Processing Table A:
| Step # |
Processing step |
Time in Minutes |
Temperature |
Hand Inversion |
| - | Pre-warm tank | 5:00 | 38°C +/- ½° 100°F +/- 1° |
|
| 1 | First Developer* | 6:30 | 38°C +/- ½° 100°F +/- 1° |
During the first 15 seconds continuously agitate the film, then invert the film every fifteen seconds |
| 2. | Wash | 2:00 | 38°C +/- ½° 100°F +/- 1° |
Fill tank with water invert once and drain after 20 seconds. Repeat the process 5 times |
| 3. | Color Developer | 4:00 | 38°C +/- 1° 100°F +/- 2° |
During the first 15 seconds continuously
agitate the film, then invert the film every fifteen seconds |
| 4. | Wash | 1:00 | 38°C +/- 1° 100°F +/- 2° |
Fill tank with water, invert once and drain after 30 seconds. Repeat the process twice. |
| 5. | Bleach-Fix | 6:00 | 38°C +/- 4° 100°F +/- 7° |
During the first 15 seconds continuously
agitate the film, then invert the film every fifteen seconds |
| 6. | Final Wash |
3:00 |
38°C +/- 4° 100°F +/- 7° |
Use running water or change water every 30 seconds. Agitate continuously. |
| 7. | Stabilizing Bath |
:30 |
20 to 25 °C 68 to 77 °F |
No agitation needed. |
* Note that this is a recommended time. Fuji films require 16% longer in first developer. See Table B for reuse of chemicals.
Productivity:
500 ml will process up to 6 rolls of 35 mm or 120 film. For 220 film, only 3 rolls should be processed before the chemicals are disposed of. Chemicals should be discarded after three runs regardless of the total number of rolls processed. See table B for reuse with extended times.
One liter of chemicals can process up to 12 rolls of 35mm, or 120 film, or 6 rolls of 220 film, before the chemicals should be discard. Chemicals should be discarded after three runs regardless of the total number of rolls processed. See table 'B' for reuse with extended times.
Table B: Reuse of Chemicals:
This table shows the time changes needed when chemicals are reused, for each 500 ml of E-6 chemicals. Note times change after every two rolls.
| Solution | 1st & 2nd film | 3rd & 4th film | 5th & 6th film |
| First Developer | Standard Time |
Standard |
Standard |
| Color Developer | Standard Time | Standard Time +1 min. | Standard Time +2 min |
| Bleach-Fix | Standard Time | Standard Time +1 min | Standard Time +2 min |
Push or Pull Processing:
Under-exposed or over-exposed film can be corrected by modifying the first developer time.
| 1 stop underexposed | Increase first developer time by 2 minutes |
| 2 stops underexposed | Increase first developer time by 5 minutes |
| 1 stop overexposed | Reduce first developer by 2 minutes |
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