I just started doing my own B&W development with the end result of an throughout pink tinge on the negative. I used a rotary processor, T Max RS 1:9 at 24 degrees C. I presoaked the 10 negatives for 4 minutes, developed for 8 minutes with 800 cc., followed by the 30 sec Stop, 1 min fixer, and the rinse.

I'm not sure what went wrong. Any suggestions?

-- Cal Eng (caleng@inficad.com), January 21, 2001

Answers

I would suggest that you fix your negatives longer. I assume that you are using T-Max 100, with a rapid fix you will normally need about a 6 minute fix time. This will not get rid of the pink cast. You then need to do complete wash, I use a 15 or 20 minute wash in a very good film washer.

-- Jeff White (jeff@jeffsphotos.com), January 21, 2001.

I got that pinkish neg too. You may try 5-10% Sodium Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate solution(Hypo remover) to wash it for a couple minutes. Let us know if it works for you.

-- Aaron Rocky (ar7786@hotmail.com), January 21, 2001.

Cal, the answer is definitely with too short of time with the fixer. Tmax films exhaust fixer very quickly. Kodak recommends rapid fixer for these films. I fix Tmax for 7 minutes and never have the pink cast. Try putting the films back into the fixer and it should remove the pink. Good luck & happy shooting. Pat.

-- Pat Kearns (pat.kearns@coopertsmith.com), January 21, 2001.

Cal, You might want to invest in a Kodak black and white darkroom data guide. It gives all the characteristics of the film and how long they should be processed and in what. If you are using tmax you need to fix for at least 4 minutes with a rotary drum. Longer doesn't hurt anything but I beleive 4 minutes will cure the pink eye for you. Good Luck.

-- Doug Theall (rooster_two@yahoo.com), January 21, 2001.

Cal, most ingenious yet: load your film holders with Iford next time you're shooting B&W. :>) Andre

-- Andre Noble (andrenoble@usa.net), January 22, 2001.

Hi Cal

1.4-5 Min. in fixer then 5 minutes wash in water 2. 2 Min in Kodak hypo clearing agent. 3. Wash out in water again for 2 minutes 4. Rinse Now the negs should be different gray tones.Thad works for TMax.

-- Armin Seeholzer (armin.seeholzer@smile.ch), January 22, 2001.

The trouble is that the negs are not washed properly. Try rewashing a neg for the recomended time and the recomended temp before you change your fix time. Also call Kodak at 1 800 242 2424 ex 19. They are quite helpfull.

-- john (dogspleen@juno.com), January 22, 2001.

I live in NY, and in my basement darkroom during winter months the temp. drops to @45 deg.F... Is temperature with you a factor? I need to increase fixing time about 50% when using cold fix - otherwise I get the magenta cast.

Mark

-- Mark Minard (roswell@a-znet.com), January 28, 2001.