CineStill Cs41 Colour Film Developer - 1Ltr Powder Kit

I should caveat this review by saying the developer has far exceeded my negative processing ability. Something to work on, though I think I still prefer developing black and white...

Anyway, the instructions to make up the two solutions (developer; and combined stop bath, fixer, bleacher) were simple to follow, the latter mixture launching into an impressive exothermic reaction.

I've used these mixtures on ten rolls so far, in a Paterson tank, having never developed colour before. And I have to say I think it's pretty forgiving.

I don't have a water heater or anything to get the developer up to 39 degrees (compared to 20 or so for b&w!) so I tend to stick the container into a jug of just boiled water, and keep checking the temperature. Once it's ready, tip it into the tank, invert every 30 seconds, occasionally put the tank into a shallow tray of hot water so it doesn't lose too much heat; whack in the stop / fixer for 8 minutes, inverting four times every 30 seconds; and then I just use the tried and tested rinsing method of 5, 10, 20 inversions, with fresh water in between.

I've kept a note of the number of rolls, as the developer needs an additional 2% developing time above the base 3 and a half minutes for every previously developed roll. Allegedly it's good for around 24 rolls - I've read reviews that the drop off in performance when it hits is like going off a cliff, so when I get to 20 or so I might just use it for rolls I'm testing some cameras with... (or found rolls in cameras bought at auction).

But as I say, so far it's been very tolerant of my haphazard approach, developing Kodaks ColorPlus 200, Gold 200 and Pro Image 100, in 35mm and 120 formats.

At £41 I initially baulked at buying this, but if I get 24 rolls, that's less than £2 a roll developing cost, so we'll see what that cliff edge looks like, and probably get some more, then knowing when the limit is reached.

Super easy to make up and very good results. I wanted a simple way to develop colour film at home and this delivered. Very happy with how all of my negatives have come out so far and actually ended up getting a lot more rolls out of it than it said on the pack. Great kit, would definitely recommend.

This is such a good kit, especially for the price. I've used a few different kits before (Tetenol was my favourite before this) - the convenience of this kit is what is so great about it, and don't be put off by the temptation to think that developing colour film at home is tricky, it simply is not. A bowl of warm water, a decent thermometer and a bit of organisation is all you need to make a real success out of this, and it will also dramatically cut your costs down. Plus, who doesn't want to develop their own film! It's just a shame that the cost of film so sky high these days, otherwise I would be burning through these kits. Get it while it's in stock, because it seems to sell out too easily.

A very good product. Mixing the chemicals is simple and the developer is very tolerant in use. I settled on using it at 35degrees to make getting a consistent temperature easier for developing and blipping. The kit works well with Phoenix, Ultramax and Pro Image films. Altogether great fun and a great introduction to colour processing.

First time trying to develop C41 at home, this kit makes it very easy