RA-4 paper development

I use the Bellini RA-4 kit.

The Bellini kit is for 5L. though I prepared only what was needed for 1L of each (beside the stabilizer)

I store all chemicals in collapsible bottles so they do not contain air, to limit oxidation.

I am developing using a 8x10 drum for cibachrome, on top of an old french made “Rotocuve” motorized base.

I use to roll the drum back and forth on a table, so you know, that does not really matter.

I am using Fujicolor paper. It’s the only stuff available here and now (Europe, 2026)

The process that works best is a bit different form the official datasheet as I have inconsistent results if I do not use a stop bath between dev and blix.

I use a 2% concentration acetic acid stop bath. This seems a bit weaker than what is recommended for black and white. The stop should be used one-shot.

It is not recommended to use Citric Acid. Although I have done it in the past and seen no issues.

1. Prewet 45-ish seconds. This is a requirement for drum processing.
2. Dev 45 seconds
3. Stop 45 sec
4. Blix 45 sec
5. Wash (I do it by running a water step a couple of times in the drum)
6. For a final print, stabilizer for 3 minutes.

Alternatively, can wash the print in a tray of running water then use the stabilizer. I prefer to wash in the drum.

Color should be judged only on dry print as dry down effect is supposed to be strong. You can use a hair drier on the picture currently stuck against the wall. I use a cheap old cardboard whiteboard for now.

The Blix and Dev that was used simply put back in the bottle. I see no degradation in the results of doing so. I think there’s not that much oxygen contact in running the chemical in a print drum for 45 seconds.