film stability in waterless processing

Lots of the new processing machines seem to skip a water wash
when the film is developed.
I'm wondering if there is any information about how this affects
the long-term stability of the developed film?

--
Robert D Feinman

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http://robertdfeinman.com

In article ,
Robert Feinman wrote:

Lots of the new processing machines seem to skip a water wash
when the film is developed.
I'm wondering if there is any information about how this affects
the long-term stability of the developed film?

Kodak's recommendation is to not use washless (minilab) processors for
Pro films...

Robert Feinman wrote:

Lots of the new processing machines seem to skip a water wash
when the film is developed.
I'm wondering if there is any information about how this affects
the long-term stability of the developed film?



Then how do they remove fixer? Even in color processes, the bleach fix
results in thiosulfate compounds which are injurious to film emulsions
if not washed out.


Francis A. Miniter

Then how do they remove fixer? Even in color processes, the bleach fix
results in thiosulfate compounds which are injurious to film emulsions
if not washed out.


Francis A. Miniter


The film is "washed" by passing through a series of 3 or 4 stabilizer tanks.
These tanks are replenished by overflow starting at the last tank in the
series. Each tank overflows into the tank that precedes it until it reaches
the first stabilizer tank from which it is then drained by overflowing into
the exit spout. That way, the first stabilizer tank is the "dirtiest" and
the last tank is hopefully "clean."

Lots of the new processing machines seem to skip a water wash
when the film is developed.
I'm wondering if there is any information about how this affects
the long-term stability of the developed film?

I have seen kodak say it is "ok for pro film" and I have seen them say that it
is "not ok." The answer seems to dictate if they are selling one of their
machines or are competing with someone elses machine.The film is in fact washed
by a stabilizer solution. But there are other considerations with the faster
c-41 RA film processors. They have a reduced bleach time. C-41RA uses a more
aggressive bleach to make up for the reduced bleach time. This can be
troublesome for some film emulsions. Such as internegative and some higher
speed films. If a lab is using C-41RA they have to pay close attention to
process control. There's not a lot of wiggle room with a fast process time.If
your lab can develop C-41 in about 10 minutes. They are using process C-41RA.
If it takes 20 minutes or more it is a traditional C-41 process. Which for me
gives me a higher "comfort" level, with regards to long term stability.