I am about to start developing my 4x5 color negatives at home and I would like to see if anyone has an opinion on which chemistry brand to use, or advice on how to get the best results.
For background, I will be using a Filmomat Light rotary processor, sous vide to heat the chemistry and water and Jobo 2500 series tanks. I do not go through a significant amount of film at once, so mixing small amounts from a kit would be ideal. I have hard water, so I will be mixing my chemistry and stabilizer (if needed) with distilled water.
CineStill powder is stocked nearby, but powders do not allow for mixing smaller amounts easily. I also am not sure if about their concept of "no stabilizer needed" that is mentioned in their literature with modern films (I primarily use Kodak Ektar 100 and Portra 400). I have considered that they sell a separate stabilizer. I have also considered the liquid kit, which I think would be easier to cut the chemistry when I am only developing a few sheets.
I have also looked at the Arista liquid kit. Like the CineStill I thinks it can be split to make smaller batches. It also has a stabilizer as a final step. All liquids I would need to have shipped from one of the larger camera stores.
There are additional options, but these seem the most readily available from multiple vendors.
Please let me know your thoughts on these chemistry brands. If you get consistent results from one or the other. Chemistry shelf life, using chemistry for more film than listed in the literature, if stabilizer is really needed with modern films, etc. Any opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Nathan
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