There are two families of E-6 processing chemistries. The original and standard is a six chemical step process. The 'rapid' or 'hobby' type chemistries use three chemical steps. Rinse, washes stop bathes and stabilizer (the optional final step) of the process is not counted in the quantity of steps described above.

Process Sequence for E-6 (six step)

Pre-Warm

First Developer

Rinse or Stop bath

Reversal

Color Developer

Conditioner (Pre-bleach)

Bleach

Fixer

Wash

Stabilizer (Final Rinse)

Process Sequence for E-6 (three step)

Pre-Warm

First Developer

Rinse or Stop bath 1

Color Developer

Rinse or Stop bath 2

Bleach-Fix

Wash

Stabilizer (Final Rinse)

Solutions for a three step process :

First developer

Sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon) 2.0 g

Sodium sulphite, anhydrous 39.0 g

Potassium carbonate, anhydrous 14.0 g

Sodium bicarbonate 12.0 g

Phenidone 0.6 g

Hydroquinone 6.0 g

Sodium bromide 2.2 g

Sodium thiocyanate 1.0 g

Sodium hydroxide 3.3 g

Potassium iodide, 0.1 per cent solution 4.5 ml

Water to 1.0 litre

Stop bath 1

Sodium acetate, anhydrous 30.0 g

Acetic acid, glacial 6.0 ml

Water to 1.0 litre

Colour developer

Sodium hexametaphosphate (Calgon) 2.0 g

Trisodium phosphate crystals 36.0 g

Sodium hydroxide 3.0 g

Sodium sulphite, anhydrous 4.5 g

Sodium bromide 0.65 g

Potassium iodide 0.1 per cent solution 30 ml

Sodium thiocyanate 1.3 g

Citrazinic acid 1.25 g

CD3 11.0 g

Water to 1.0 litre

Stop bath 2

As for Stop Bath 1, but do NOT interchange them after use

Bleach

Potassium ferricyanide 80.0 g

Potassium bromide 20.0 g

Disodium phosphate, anhydrous 12.0 g

Acetic acid, glacial 5.0 ml

Water to 1.0 litre

Fixer

Sodium thiosulphate, crystals 200.0 g

(or anhydrous 125.0 g)

Sodium sulphite, anhydrous 5.0 g

Sodium metabisulphite 0.5 g

Water to 1.0 litre

Stabiliser (optional)

Formaldehyde, 40 per cent 5.0 ml

Wetting agent 1.0 ml