9-2 Process ECP-2E Specifications
Process ECP-2E Steps
Table 9-1 Persulfate Bleach Sequence
If a customer wishes to retain the first fix and the first fix wash from Process ECP-2D, the sound application may still be skipped
by threading the film directly from the bleach wash into the second fix.
Step Function
1. Developer Reduces exposed silver halide grains in all three light-sensitive lay e rs. The developing agent
is oxidized by the exposed silver halide, and the oxidation product cou ples wit h the particular
dye coupler incorporated within each layer to produce dye images. A silver image is formed
simultaneously at the exposed silver-halide sites.
2. Stop Stops the development of silver-halide grains and washes Color Developing Agent CD-2
from the film.
NOTE: The film can now be handled in white light.
3. Wash Removes excess acid stop.
4. Accelerator Prepares the metallic silver present for the action of the persulfate bleach.
5. Bleach (persulfate) Converts the metallic silver from both the sound track image and picture image that was
formed during color development, to silver-halide compounds that can be removed by the
fixer. In the sound track, the silver image formed during color development is converted to
silver halide by the bleach. It is then redeveloped to a silver image by a black-and-white
developer solution.
6. Wash Removes residual bleach from the film, preventing contamination of the following solution.
7. Fixer Converts the silver-halide compounds formed in the picture area during bleaching to soluble
silver thiosulfate complex salts that are removed from the film in this fixer and subsequent
wash.
8. Wash Removes unused fixer and the residual soluble silver thiosulfate complex salts formed during
fixing.
9. Final Rinse Prepares the film for drying.
10. Dryer Dries film for subsequent handling.
11. Lubrication Promotes longer print projection life. It may be an in- or off-line operation. See Module2,
Equipment and Procedures.
Alternative Ferricyanide or UL Bleach Sequence
The steps and their functions are the same as in the
recommended process, except the 20-second accelerator and
40-second persulfate bleach is replaced with a 60-second
ferricyanide or UL bleach.
Safelights for Darkroom Illumination
When film is handled in a darkroom, whether printer room or
processing room, safelights are used to provide enough light for
working without fogging the film.
KODAK VISION Color Print Film / 2383, KODAK
VISION Premier Color Print Film / 2393 and KODAK VISION
Color Teleprint Film / 2395 / 3395 can be handled under
illumination provided by standard safelight fixtures fitted with
the KODAK No. 8 Safelight Filter / dark yellow. A sodium-
vapor lamp fitted with KODAK WRATTEN Gelatin Filters
No. 23A and 53 or 57, plus a neutral density filter to reduce the
illumination intensity, can also be used. Conduct a careful
safelight test before production work is started. The processing
steps after the stop bath can be carried out in normal room light.
Film Storage and Handling
Ideally, processed film should be stored at 21°C (70°F) or
lower, and 40 to 50 percent relative humidity for short-
term or active storage. For long-term storage conditions,
store at 2°C (35°F) or lower at a relative humidity of 20
to 30 p ercent. In general, dye stability during long-term
storage improves significantly with reduced temperature.
See KODAK Publication No. H-23, The Book of Film
Care, for more information.
Care must be exercised in the handling of print film to
avoid scratches and/or dirt that will be noticeable on the
projected print. Film handlers should use lint-free nylon
or polyester gloves and handle the film by the edges as
much as possible. Suggestions on film handling during
processing are presented in Module2 , Equipment and
Procedures.
Other Film Characteristics
For information on the physical characteristics of Kodak
motion picture films (including edge identification,
antihalation backing, perforations, and dimensional
change characteristics), as well as cores, spools, winding,
and packaging, refer to KODAK Publication No. H-1,
KODAK Motion Picture Film.