6 Choosing the Right Chemicals for Your Minilab • J-36
Process RA-4 Cycle—Low Utilization
This cycle is appropriate for processors with low
utilization—i.e., a developer tank turnover requires longer
than four weeks.
Solution/
Step
Time
*
min:sec
* Immersion time plus crossover time to the next tank. For best results,
use the recommended times with crossover times of 6 seconds or less.
Temperature
°C (°F)
Starting-Point
Replenishment
Rate
mL/m
2
(mL/ft
2
)
EKTACOLOR
RA Developer
Replenisher
RT
0:45
35 ± 0.3
(95 ± 0.5)
215 (20)
EKTACOLOR
RA
Bleach-Fix
and
Replenisher
0:45
30 to 36
(86 to 97)
215 (20)
EKTACOLOR
PRIME
Stabilizer and
Replenisher
†
† Use four countercurrent-flow stabilizer tanks with equal times in all
tanks (0:23 in each tank). With three countercurrent-flow tanks, use a
replenishment rate of 495 mL/m
2
(46 mL/ft
2
); with two
countercurrent-flow tanks, use 970 mL/m
2
(90 mL/ft
2
).
If your minilab uses a countercurrent-flow wash instead of a
stabilizer, use a wash-water temperature of 30 to 40°C (86 to 104°F).
For wash times of 1:30 or longer, the wash-flow rate should be between
2160 and 10,800 mL/m
2
(200 and 1000 mL/ft
2
). The actual rate
depends on the number of tanks and the wash time (see KODAK
Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals in Minilabs, or Z-130,
Using KODAK EKTACOLOR RA Chemicals).
1:30
30 to 37
(86 to 99)
248 (23)
Dry
As
needed
Not over
96 (205)
Converting to KODAK EKTACOLOR PRIME SP
Developer Replenisher
Before converting to EKTACOLOR PRIME SP Developer
Replenisher, use all of your current stock of EKTACOLOR
PRIME Developer Replenisher (and EKTACOLOR PRIME
Developer Regenerator) or EKTACOLOR PRIME
Developer Replenisher LORR. You do not need to dump
your current working tank solution.
When you begin to use EKTACOLOR PRIME SP
Developer Replenisher to replenish your existing developer
tank solution, adjust your replenishment rate to the
appropriate setting in the following table. If you currently
use EKTACOLOR PRIME Developer Replenisher LORR,
you do not need to adjust your replenishment rate.
Note: If your process is in control with EKTACOLOR
PRIME Developer Replenisher, you can also calculate the
replenishment rate for EKTCOLOR PRIME SP Developer
Replenisher by multiplying your current rate by 0.67. Then,
reset the rate (or pump setting) to the new rate. If you need
help adjusting the replenishment rate, contact your minilab
manufacturer.
Monitoring Your Paper Process
Use KODAK Control Strips, Process RA-4, to monitor your
paper process. Follow the procedures described in KODAK
Publication No. Z-100, Using KODAK Chemicals
in Minilabs, or Z-130, Using KODAK EKTACOLOR RA
Chemicals.
Current
Developer
Solution
Current
Replenishment Rate
Replenishment Rate
with PRIME SP
Developer
Replenisher
mL/
m
2
mL/
ft
2
mL/
m
*
* Normally, mL per linear metre of paper 127 mm (5 in.) wide.
mL/
ft
†
† Normally, mL per linear foot of paper 127 mm (5 in.) wide.
mL/
m
2
mL/
ft
2
mL/
m
*
mL/
ft
†
PRIME
Developer
Replenisher
and
Developer
Regenerator
161 15 20.5 6.3
108 10 13.7 4.17
PRIME
Developer
Replenisher
LORR
108 10 13.7 4.17