View source for E-3 process

:''See also [[Ektachrome]] for full details of Kodak E-series processes.''
{{for|the visa|E-3 visa}}
[[File:Ektachome B Slide Film crop.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ektachrome]] Type B, using E-2 or E-4 processes]]
The '''E-2 process''' and '''E-3 process''' are outdated processes for developing [[Ektachrome]] [[Reversal film|reversal]] photographic film.  The two processes are very similar, and differ depending on the film.  [[Kodak]] sold kits that could process either kind of film.

==Processing==
{{multiple image |align=right |direction=horizontal |title=Ektachrome film structure and exposure
 |image1=E-6 step 00.svg |caption1=Structure
 |image2=E-6 step 01.svg |caption2=Sample exposure to various colors}}
Ektachrome film has three separate light-sensitive layers; each layer is sensitive to a different group of wavelengths corresponding to red, green, and blue colors. When the film is exposed, each layer records a latent image based on its sensitivity. A yellow filter prevents blue light from exposing the green- and red-sensitive layers, which have some sensitivity to blue light.<ref name=Z119-1>{{cite web |url=http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/Zmanuals/z119-1.pdf |title=Process E-6 Using KODAK Chemicals, Process E-6 Publication Z-119 {{!}} Chapter 1: Processing solutions and their effects |publisher=[[Kodak]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050825145808/http://kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/Zmanuals/z119-1.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Films are processed at {{cvt|75|F|1}} with a tolerance of only ±0.5°F; exceeding these limits could cause color shifts.<ref name=E-13>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/kodakektachromef00east/ |title=Kodak Ektachrome Film, Publication No. E-13 |date=1955 |publisher=Eastman Kodak Company |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{rp|30–31}} The steps are:
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:left;"
|+Early Ektachrome processes
! colspan=3 rowspan=2 | Step !! rowspan=2 | Schematic !! colspan=2 | E-1 (1946)<ref name=Talbert/> !! colspan=2 | E-1 (1955)<ref name=E-13/>{{rp|30–31}}<br/>E-2 (1955)<ref name=Talbert/><br/>E-3 (1959)<ref name=Talbert/> !! rowspan=2 | Description
|-
! Time (min) !! Temp.
! Time (min) !! Temp.
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:#000;" | &nbsp;
! 1 !! First developer
| rowspan=3 | [[File:E-6 step 02.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| 15 || {{cvt|68|F}}
| 10 || {{cvt|75|F}}
| This is a conventional black-and-white developer, which develops the exposed portions as a negative.
|-
! 2 !! Stop bath / rinse
| 1 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 1 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
|
|-
! 3 !! Hardener
| 5–10 || {{cvt|66–70|F}}
| 3–10 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
|-
| rowspan=12 style="background:#fff;" | &nbsp;
! 4 !! Reversal exposure
| rowspan=2 | [[File:E-1 step 02a.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| colspan=4 | varies (typically 5 sec/side)
| The film is removed from the tank and thoroughly exposed with a bright light for either 5 seconds on each side, or each end of the reel is exposed for 15 seconds at a distance of {{cvt|1|ft}} from a No. 2 [[photoflood]]. This step sensitizes the remaining silver halide crystals for the colour developer. Replace in tank, though the lid was no longer required.
|-
! 5 !! Wash
| 5 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 3 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| Using running water
|-
! 6 !! Colour developer
| rowspan=4 | [[File:E-6 step 03.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| 25 || {{cvt|66–70|F}}
| 15 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| This develops the now exposed silver bromide, and simultaneously activates the dye couplers in the three colour-sensitive layers of the film.
|-
! 7 !! Wash
| 5 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 5 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| Using running water
|-
! 8 !! Clear
| 5 || {{cvt|66–70|F}}
| 5 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| To remove pink stains left by the colour developer. Solution saved for fixing bath (step 12). In the E-1 process, this is noted as a "clearing and fixing bath."
|-
! 9 !! Rinse
| 1 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 1 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| Using running water for at least 30 seconds, but not more than 90 seconds.
|-
! 10 !! Bleach
| rowspan=2 | [[File:E-6 step 04.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| 10 || {{cvt|66–70|F}}
| 8 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| To convert all the developed silver into compounds that are made soluble in the fixer
|-
! 11 !! Rinse
| 1 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 1 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| 
|-
! 12 !! Fix
| rowspan=4 | [[File:E-6 step 05.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| 5 || {{cvt|66–70|F}}
| 3 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| To remove all the developed silver. In the E-1 process, this is noted as a "clearing and fixing bath."
|-
! 13 !! Wash
| 10 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 8 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| Running water
|-
! 14 !! Stabilizing / Wetting agent rinse
| 1 || {{cvt|65–72|F}}
| 1 || {{cvt|73–77|F}}
| Using Kodak Photo-Flo to remove water droplets
|-
! 15 !! Dry
| colspan=2 | not specified
| varies || <{{cvt|110|F}}
| Same as for black-and-white films
|}

The original Ektachrome process introduced in 1946 used similar steps with different durations; the total processing time was approximately 90 minutes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/1946-12-science-illustrated/page/74/mode/2up |title=Ektachrome...How to Process It |date=December 1946 |magazine=Science Illustrated |page=56;74 |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> It was renamed to E-1 when the E-2 process was introduced in 1955 for ASA 32 Ektachrome, followed by E-3 for ASA 50 Ektachrome in 1959.<ref name=Talbert>{{cite web |url=https://www.photomemorabilia.co.uk/Colour_Darkroom/Early_Kodak_Ektachrome.html |title=Kodak Ektachrome Colour Transparency films |author=Talbert, Michael |website=Photo Memorabilia |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref>

Films designed for E-2 and E-3 are prone to fading because of the instability of the color dyes.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wKwkwoFbNjQC&pg=PA83 |title=Color Preservation Update |author=Schwalberg, Bob |date=January 1982 |magazine=Popular Photography |access-date=24 August 2023 |pages=81–85;131}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5RGaYCAAedMC&pg=PA76 |title=How long will your color prints last? |author=Krause, Peter |date=April 1999 |magazine=Popular Photography |pages=76–77;92;94;182 |access-date=24 August 2023}}</ref> The processes were phased out in  1974 in favor of [[E-4 process|E-4]] (which was introduced in 1966), and two years later [[E-6 process|E-6]] was introduced which remains in use to this day.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/cis111/cis111.jhtml Kodak specifications for hand mixing of chemistry]

Processing of older Ektachrome films including Process E-3:
* [http://www.filmrescue.com Film Rescue] USA and Canada
* [http://www.rockymountainfilm.com Rocky Mountain] USA

[[Category:Photographic film processes]]


{{photography-stub}}