Developing with Bellini C-41 Kit

Developing Film at Home with the Bellini C-41 Kit

Many photographers assume colour film development is complicated, but with the Bellini C-41 kit you can develop your own film at home with confidence.

 

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What You’ll Need

  • Bellini C-41 Kit (Developer concentrate, Bleach-RA, Fixer-RA, Stabilizer concentrate)
  • Film developing tank and reels (e.g., Paterson or similar)
  • Measuring jugs, mixing bottles (preferably amber)
  • Accurate thermometer (for 38 °C / 100 °F control)
  • Timer or stopwatch
  • Protective gloves
  • Scissors
  • Light-tight changing bag (or access to a darkroom)
  • Drying clips
  • Optional but highly recommended: AGO Film Processor – maintains chemistry at stable temperature and adjusts timing automatically.

About the Bellini C-41 Kit

The Bellini kit provides all the necessary chemicals for traditional four-bath C-41 processing. It’s formulated for the rapid-access (RA) process at 38 °C (100 °F).

  • 1 L Developer working solution
  • 1 L Bleach-RA working solution
  • 1 L Fixer-RA working solution
  • 10 L Stabilizer working solution

Capacity: ~16 rolls of 24-exposure 35 mm, ~12 rolls of 36-exposure 35 mm, ~12 rolls of 120 medium format, or ~4 sheets of 4×5″ large format film.

Mixing Ratios & Temperatures

According to Bellini’s official guide:

1. Developer

  • 260 ml concentrate + 740 ml warm water → 1 L working solution

2. Bleach-RA

  • Supplied ready-to-use (no dilution required)

3. Fixer-RA

  • 500 ml concentrate + 500 ml warm water → 1 L working solution

4. Stabilizer

  • 100 ml concentrate → up to 10 L working solution
  • Practical mix: 10 ml concentrate + 990 ml water → 1 L (scale as needed)

Step-by-Step Developing Process

  1. Pre-Warm: 38 °C for 3 min. Preheat film & developer.
  2. Developer: 38 °C.
    • Rolls 1–4: 3:15 min
    • Rolls 5–8: 3:30 min
    • Rolls 9–12: 3:45 min
    • Rolls 13–16: 4:00 min

    Agitation: 15 sec initial inversions, then 5 sec every 30 sec.

  3. Bleach-RA: 32–38 °C, 45 sec. Same agitation as developer.
  4. Fixer-RA: 32–38 °C, 1:30 min. Same agitation as developer.
  5. Stabilizer: Room temperature, 3:00 min. Immerse film gently (10–30 sec) and avoid rinsing before stabilizer.

Summary Table

Step Temp (°C) Time Agitation
Pre-Warm ~38 3:00 min —
Developer 38 3:15–4:00 min* Invert 15 s, then 5 s/30 s
Bleach-RA 32–38 45 s Same as Developer
Fixer-RA 32–38 1:30 min Same as Developer
Stabilizer Room temp 3:00 min Gentle soak; no wash before

* Extend development time by 15 seconds per additional 4 rolls, up to 4:00 total.

Tips for Better Results

  • Keep developer at a steady 38 °C—small shifts impact results.
  • Using the AGO Film Processor ensures automatic time compensation for temperature changes.
  • Bellini’s bilingual instructions (Italian/English) are clear, but only list 38 °C timings.
  • Large stabilizer capacity (10 L) allows extended use across batches.
  • Developer is sold separately, so bleach and fixer can be reused longer.
  • Though slightly pricier than some kits, many value its single-part developer for simplicity.

Conclusion

The Bellini C-41 Kit offers a straightforward, effective, and quality-driven solution for home C-41 colour development. With clear instructions, stable chemistry, and capacity for many rolls, it’s a strong choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Keep your temperature consistent, follow the steps carefully, and you’ll be rewarded with clean, vibrant negatives—ready for scanning or printing.