Ben Ballard , Jan 24, 2012; 09:14 p.m.
I decided to try developing C-41 at home. I bought a 1L Unicolor kit, and developed six rolls of various C-41 film I had taken in the past 6 months or so. The directions were pretty easy to follow. It was almost as easy as developing black and white, except everything was at higher temperatures.
The last time I shot Reala, I was disappointed with how over-saturated the prints came back from Costco, but I think now it's clear that it was the digital printing process or the operator. I was quite pleased with the results I got at home. I think this is what Reala was meant to look like, without a technician pumping up the saturation to look like Velvia. I had considered experimenting with bleach bypass, but I'm very happy with the way these colors turned out.
First, a little camera porn. This is the Autocord (shot with a Minolta SRT-Super on Astia, from a few years ago). The camera is sitting on a black granite tile from Home Depot, in front of a blue poster board.
The following shots were from a roll of 120 Reala I shot in Wells, Maine over the summer with my Minolta Autocord and exposed via sunny 16, although I think the flip-flops photos were more like f4 or f5.6. I was really pleased with the results from the Tessar-style Rokkor 75mm f3.5.
More flip flops...
A man walking a dog
A unique garage door in Wells, Maine
Mike Gammill 
, Jan 24, 2012; 11:16 p.m.
These look great. Thanks for posting.
Jean Moxhet , Jan 25, 2012; 02:23 a.m.
Nice, thanks!
I really like the second flip-flops pic!
Kris Bochenek 
, Jan 25, 2012; 04:01 p.m.
Nice shots, The garage doors make the building look like a sad creature. Those droopy eyes like windows. Lovely camera
Les Sarile 
, Jan 25, 2012; 08:51 p.m.
Wow, what a looker! I hope to land a TLR or bellows MF someday.
More flip flops is excellent!
John Shriver 
, Jan 25, 2012; 09:27 p.m.
Your commentary on the Costco processing reminds me of the banner sign on the Somerville Avenue Walgreens about 8 years ago. "Walgreen's One-Hour Photo - Now, Brighter Colors".
The saturation knob apparently "goes up to 11".
Tony Lockerbie 
, Jan 25, 2012; 11:25 p.m.
Truly a great camera the Autocord, and the Rokkor is up with the best. I love the close up of the flip flops (we call them thongs) just says Summer to me.
Ben Ballard , Jan 25, 2012; 11:27 p.m.
John, indeed! They could use the same banner in the detergent aisle.
Rick Drawbridge , Jan 26, 2012; 02:00 a.m.
Nice pics indeed, Ben, and the Autocord is certainly a fine TLR. You're right about the C-41 process being manageable, though one has to save a few films up to make purchasing the kit worthwhile. The "flip-flops" remind me of the summer we're not having, though down here in NZ they've been called "Jandals", for years. "Thongs" never really caught on, especially since some other garment collared the name...The second "flip-flop" pic really appeals.
Starvy Goodfellows 
, Jan 26, 2012; 12:24 p.m.
What a wonderful picture of the sandals. Really conjured up the holiday mood for me. I always wanted an Autocord but now that I am shooting an old Rollieflex, perhaps I won't get around to buying a Minolta unless something really fell on my lap. Your processing seems to be spot on too. Thanks for sharing the images.
