Processing KODAK Motion Picture Films, Module 15 Processing Black-and-White Films ©Eastman Kodak Company, 2000 Table of Contents PROCESSING BLACK-AND-WHITE FILMS . 15-4 INTRODUCTION . 15-4 SECTION ONE—GENERAL INFORMATION . 15-5 Film Structure . 15-5 Cross Section of Panchromatic Film. 15-5 Spectral Sensitivity of Black-and-White Films . 15-5 Black-and-White Laboratory Films . 15-5 Cross-Modulation Sound Test . 15-6 Safelights and Darkroom Illumination. 15-6 Film Storage and Handling . 15-6 Water Quality . 15-6 Processing Machine Design and Construction . 15-8 Machine Design . 15-8 Machine Schematic for Black-and-White Negative or Positive Process . 15-8 Machine Schematic for Black-and-White Reversal Process . 15-9 Construction Materials . 15-11 Filters . 15-11 Solution Crossover Devices . 15-11 Dryer Cabinet . 15-11 Machine Exhaust and Room Ventilation System . 15-11 Countercurrent Washes . 15-11 Four-Stage Countercurrent Wash . 15-11 Agitation . 15-11 Recirculation System . 15-12 Leader Requirements . 15-12 Bulk Chemicals . 15-13 Precautions and Procedures . 15-13 Formulas and Analytical Specifications . 15-13 Obtaining Bulk Chemicals . 15-13 Bulk Chemical Suppliers . 15-14 Storing Processing Solutions . 15-15 Push and Pull Processing . 15-16 SECTION TWO—NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE FILMS. 15-17 Process Sequence. 15-17 Negative-Positive Process Steps . 15-17 Processing Specifications . 15-18 Processing Specifications for Negative Films . 15-18 Processing Specifications for Positive Films. 15-18 Processing Chemicals and Formulas . 15-19 Bulk Chemical Formulas for Negative and Positive Processes . 15-19 KODAK Developer D-96 (Negative) . 15-19 KODAK Developer D-97 (Positive) . 15-19 KODAK Fixer F-5 . 15-20 KODAK Stop Bath SB-1a . 15-20 -2 Processing Black-and-White Films KODAK Stop Bath SB-5 . 15-20 Rewashing of Negative and Positive Films (cleaning and healing) . 15-21 Storing Mixed Solutions . 15-21 Storage Life of Mixed Solutions . 15-21 Troubleshooting . 15-22 Negative and Positive Process Variations . 15-22 SECTION THREE—REVERSAL FILMS . 15-23 Process Sequence. 15-23 Reversal Process Steps . 15-23 Processing Specifications . 15-24 Processing Specifications for Reversal Films . 15-24 Processing Chemicals and Formulas . 15-25 Packaged Chemicals . 15-25 Mixing Packaged Chemicals . 15-25 Bulk Chemical Formulas for Reversal Processes. 15-25 KODAK Developer D-94A. 15-25 KODAK Developer D-95 . 15-25 KODAK Bleach R-10. 15-26 KODAK Clearing Bath CB-2 . 15-26 KODAK Clearing Bath (alternate) . 15-26 KODAK Fixer F-10 . 15-26 Rewashing of Reversal Films (cleaning and healing). 15-26 Storing Packaged Chemicals . 15-26 Storage Life of Packaged Concentrate and Mixed Solutions . 15-27 Troubleshooting . 15-28 Reversal Process Variations. 15-29 KODAK LOCATIONS . 15-30 The information contained herein is furnished by Eastman Kodak Company without any warranty or guarantee whatsoever. While Kodak is unaware of any valid domestic patents of others which would be infringed by the methods, formulas or apparatus described herein, the furnishing of this information is not to be considered as any license for, inducement of, or recommendation for any action by any party, any such action being a matter for independent investigation and decision by such party. -3 Processing Black-and-White Films 15 PROCESSING BLACK-AND-WHITE FILMS INTRODUCTION This module contains specifications describing continuous machine processing of KODAK Black-and-White Motion Picture Films. It covers cine camera and print films for negative, positive, and reversal processes. The module is in three sections. Section One outlines general information for all black-and-white films and processes. Section Two is dedicated to negative and positive films. Section Three covers reversal films. We suggest that you look over the following list of modules for color processes. They also provide useful information on black-and-white processes. Many areas of process control, analytical procedures, equipment, chemical recovery, and environmental aspects are similar for all motion-picture processes. Be sure to carefully follow all process sequences and procedures to avoid adverse effects. Module 1 Process Control Module 2 Equipment and Procedures Analytical Procedures (for Chemical Module 3 Analysis) Reagent Preparation Procedures (for Module 4 Chemical Analyses) Module 5 Chemical Recovery Procedures Module 6 Environmental Aspects For More Information For more information on motion picture products, call or write to the Professional Motion Imaging office nearest you. Or access Kodak’s home page on the Internet, web site address— http://www.kodak.com/go/motion You may want to bookmark our location so you can find us more easily. Processing Black-and-White Films 15-4 SECTION ONE— Blue Sensitive: Films in this classification are sensitive GENERAL INFORMATION only to ultraviolet radiation and blue light. They are usually used for duplicating or printing, and they require specific Film Structure types of safelights for handling in the darkroom.* All black-and-white Eastman cine camera films, and some laboratory films, have a gray antihalation safety base. The Infrared: Infrared film is sensitive not only to infrared gray base reduces light piping during exposure, minimizing radiation, but to ultraviolet radiation and all wavelengths of the halo effect and producing a sharper image. Some other visible light as well. It is least sensitive to green light. films, such as print films, are coated on clear safety acetate Intended primarily for technical applications (e.g., scientific, or ESTAR Base. aerial, medical, etc.), it is also used for pictorial Figure 15-1 is a cross section of a typical black-and-white photography. Handle in total darkness until after the fixing panchromatic, motion-picture negative film on gray support. step during processing.* The structure of black-and-white, motion-picture print films For information on the physical characteristics of Kodak is similar, except for fewer emulsion layers and on clear motion picture films, including edge identification, support. All Eastman Kodak black-and-white films are either perforations, and dimensional-change characteristics, as panchromatic, orthochromatic, blue, or infrared sensitive. well as cores, spools, winding, and packaging, refer to KODAK Publication No. H-1, KODAK Motion Picture Figure 15-1 Cross Section of Panchromatic Film Film. EXPOSING LIGHT Black-and-White Laboratory Films The production of finished black-and-white or color motion pictures requires a variety of black-and-white film products OVERCOAT known as laboratory films. These films are necessary in most post production to complete the printing and special-effects RED/GREEN/BLUE SENSITIZED LAYER process for the finished motion picture. Although the public is rarely aware of these products, no major black-and-white or color motion-picture production could be completed without them. Certain laboratory films are necessary for everything from special effects to the numerous duplicating steps required for all but low-budget motion pictures SUPPORT exposed on reversal stock. The following is a brief description of some of the black-and-white laboratory films available from Kodak for major color motion-picture and This drawing illustrates only the relative layer arrangement of panchromatic-sensitive film and is not drawn to scale. television productions. We are highlighting only the black- and-white products that are required for color production. F002_0771AC For information about other black-and-white products, see the individual data sheets or contact the Kodak Spectral Sensitivity of Black-and-White Films Entertainment Imaging Division offices listed in KODAK Panchromatic: These films are sensitive to all colors of LOCATIONS on page 15-30. light as well as ultraviolet radiation. Films that are panchromatic sensitive are primarily used as camera films, EASTMAN Panchromatic Separation Film: The although there are a few panchromatic laboratory films. You primary use of this film is the making of black-and-white must handle these films in total darkness until after they have separation positives (red, green, and blue) from color been fixed during processing.* negative originals or duplicates. You can also make separation negatives from positive color masters or prints. Orthochromatic: These films are sensitive to ultraviolet Separations provide the best means for archival storage of radiation and blue and green light. They are used for sound the information in color motion-picture films. For example, recording and some laboratory films. They must be handled you can print an edited color negative original, including with appropriate safelights.* special effects, onto separation positive film to make three separate prints—each print is a black-and-white record of one of the color layers in the original film. These three prints can be sequentially printed, in register and through the appropriate filter, onto an intermediate filmstock such as EASTMAN EXR Color Intermediate Film. Properly printed, processed, and stored, separations on ESTAR Base films can last hundreds of years. * See the individual KODAK Film Data Sheets for safelight recommendations. Also see KODAK Publication No. K-4, How Safe is Your Safelight? 15-5 Processing Black-and-White Films Another use for EASTMAN Panchromatic Separation Image spread in the audio track distorts sound quality, Film is in travelling matte photography. Through a special especially sibilant speech sounds. The effect is minimized optical-printing