Kodak C-41RA Process RA-4 Cycle-Low Utilization, Monitoring Your Paper Process, With Prime SP

Process RA-4 Cycle—Low Utilization

This cycle is appropriate for processors with low utilization—i.e., a developer tank turnover requires longer than four weeks.

Solution/	Time*	Temperature		Starting-Point
				Replenishment
Step	min:sec	°C (°F)		Rate
				mL/m2 (mL/ft2)
EKTACOLOR
RA Developer	0:45	35 ±	0.3	215 (20)
Replenisher		(95 ±	0.5)
RT
EKTACOLOR
RA		30 to 36
Bleach-Fix	0:45			215 (20)
		(86 to 97)
and
Replenisher
EKTACOLOR		30 to 37
PRIME	1:30			248 (23)
Stabilizer and		(86 to 99)
Replenisher†
Dry	As	Not over
	needed	96 (205)

* Immersion time plus crossover time to the next tank. For best results, use the recommended times with crossover times of 6 seconds or less.

†Use four countercurrent-flow stabilizer tanks with equal times in all tanks (0:23 in each tank). With three countercurrent-flow tanks, use a replenishment rate of 495 mL/m2 (46 mL/ft2); with two countercurrent-flow tanks, use 970 mL/m2 (90 mL/ft2).

If your minilab uses a countercurrent-flow wash instead of a stabilizer, use a wash-water temperature of 30 to 40°C (86 to 104°F). For wash times of 1:30 or longer, the wash-flow rate should be between 2160 and 10,800 mL/m2 (200 and 1000 mL/ft2). The actual rate depends on the number of tanks and the wash time (see KODAK Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals in Minilabs, or Z-130, Using KODAK EKTACOLOR RA Chemicals).

Converting to KODAK EKTACOLOR PRIME SP Developer Replenisher

Before converting to EKTACOLOR PRIME SP Developer Replenisher, use all of your current stock of EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher (and EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Regenerator) or EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher LORR. You do not need to dump your current working tank solution.

When you begin to use EKTACOLOR PRIME SP Developer Replenisher to replenish your existing developer tank solution, adjust your replenishment rate to the appropriate setting in the following table. If you currently use EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher LORR, you do not need to adjust your replenishment rate.

		Current			Replenishment Rate
Current					with PRIME SP
	Replenishment Rate					Developer
Developer						Replenisher
Solution
	mL/	mL/	mL/	mL/	mL/	mL/	mL/	mL/
	m2	ft2	m*	ft†	m2	ft2	m*	ft†
PRIME
Developer
Replenisher	161	15	20.5	6.3
and
Developer					108	10	13.7	4.17
Regenerator
PRIME
Developer	108	10	13.7	4.17
Replenisher
LORR

*Normally, mL per linear metre of paper 127 mm (5 in.) wide.

† Normally, mL per linear foot of paper 127 mm (5 in.) wide.

Note: If your process is in control with EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher, you can also calculate the replenishment rate for EKTCOLOR PRIME SP Developer Replenisher by multiplying your current rate by 0.67. Then, reset the rate (or pump setting) to the new rate. If you need help adjusting the replenishment rate, contact your minilab manufacturer.

Monitoring Your Paper Process

Use KODAK Control Strips, Process RA-4, to monitor your paper process. Follow the procedures described in KODAK Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals

in Minilabs, or Z-130,Using KODAK EKTACOLOR RA Chemicals.

6 Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Minilab • J-36