The Kodak brand is synonymous with film and developing. The company was one of the earliest film manufacturers, and in 1900, Kodak Brownie cameras were sold in sealed camera boxes with the film in place, according to "History of Photography: From 1839 to the Present" by Beaumont Newhall. These cameras were designed to be returned to the store for developing, but soon hobbyists were developing their Kodak film at home
Developing
Basic film developing requires only a few pieces of equipment, including a developing canister, or a tank for multiple rolls, with film-reel loaders; a film bag, which is a portable darkroom to unload film from the camera spool onto developing reels; a timer or clock with a seconds hand; and drying hangers. Color developing must be temperature controlled, and a thermometer is necessary. More complex developing is done using automated machinery, but the basic process is the same: Add developer, stop the development, add fixer and wash the film.
Chemicals
Eastman Kodak Co. manufactures chemicals to process the film stock it produces. The chemicals are also compatible for developing film by other manufacturers. The standard chemical developing packages for C-41 film cycles include products for roller-transport, continuous and rack-and-tank processing, and C-41B chemicals suitable for professional mini-lab processing. C-41 chemicals for Fuji processors are labeled CN-16S. Ektachrome chemicals requiring E-6 processing are all labeled "Process E-6." Black-and-white film stock is processed with developers D-76, T-MAX, XTOL, HC-110, Microdol-S, DK-50, D-19 and T-Max when using tank-and-tray processing. The selection depends on the photographer's preference. Black-and-white film machines use Duraflo RT. Hand processing uses stop-bath and fixer chemicals. Fixers include Rapid Fixer or regular solutions.
Transparency, or Slide, Film
Professional Elite Chrome 100, Professional Elite Chrome Extra Color 100 and Professional Elite Chrome 200 are developed with Kodak chemicals labeled Process E-6. Use of a safelight with Elite Chrome 100 is not recommended by Kodak. The company also recommends unloading this exposed film in complete darkness, while Extra Color 100 and Elite Chrome 100 may be unloaded using subdued lighting.
Color Film
Kodak color films are offered with the Ultra Max 400, High Definition 400, Ultra Max 800 and Gold 200 trade names. Each of these film stocks is processed using Kodak Flexicolor chemicals for Process C-41, without a safelight and in total darkness.
Black-and-White Film
Kodak film stock BW400CN produces black-and-white negatives utilizing color-processing chemicals. Popular among professional photographers, it is also used by amateurs because it is the only black-and-white film available at outlets other than camera stores. This film is processed using Kodak Flexicolor chemicals for Process C-41, without a safelight for film removal and development. Black-and-white photographers have personal preferences for developer because each Kodak product creates a distinctive look in color and thickness of the negative.
Tags: Elite Chrome, film stock, Professional Elite, Professional Elite Chrome, C-41 without, C-41 without safelight, cameras were
