Pink or Magenta Cast with T-max, new Tri-X, and other films (not blue or green cast)

[Maine-iac]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Ever since Kodak updated Tri-X a few years ago I've been struggling with pink negatives, regardless of how much I fix or wash.

Last week my local store ran out of Ilford Rapidfix and instead I picked up a bottle of Kodak's TMAX fixer. That evening I developed 6 rolls of Tri-X using the TMAX fixer and lo and behold no more pink negatives.

Interesting.


HL

I've had the same problem intermittently over the years, primarily with Ilford Delta films. What I found cured it for me was running the film through a stronger-than-usual wash aid following the fixer.

I've used a variety--Permawash, Sprint, etc.-- but I mix it at slightly more than the recommended strength--+25% or so. The actual concentration is not at all critical. After fixing, I give a quick rinse in plain water, then put the film in the washing aid for about a minute or sometimes a little longer. Then I wash normally, and the pink is gone.

Since the washing aids are usually high in sulfite, I'm guessing that's what does it.

Larry

[Tom Hoskinson]

Yep! Try soaking your film in a solution made of 20 grams of sodium sulfite dissolved in a liter of water.

[Harry Lime]

A washaid certainly helps in getting rid of the pink, but I did find it interesting that the two fixers acted so differently.

[Tom Hoskinson]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

A washaid certainly helps in getting rid of the pink, but I did find it interesting that the two fixers acted so differently.

Is there a difference in pH between the two fixers (the working solutions) ?

[Harry Lime]

Not sure about th ph difference.

In the back of my mind I seem to remember reading something a few years back, about tmax negs coming out pink and people were complaining.

So, perhaps in light of that Kodak formulated the Tmax Fixer to get rid of it the tint? That would make perfect sense.

[bdial]

I'm currently using Ilford fix, and it comes out noticeably pink. But even more comes out during washing. The film seems to need a 5 min or so soak during washing to get most of the pink, by the third rinse it's gone. I use a hybrid approach between the Ilford wash method and Kodak's. I'm not using a wash aid, but I've not found that it makes a big difference.

[Thomas Bertilsson]

My Tri-X comes out a little pink using either Ilford Rapix Fixer, or TF-4 (and I wash the hell out of them after developing). But I also don't care. Prints just fine on both graded and VC paper. I'm not sure what I'd do with alternative processes, but for me that's a problem for a different day.

- Thomas

[smieglitz]

Try rinsing the film for about a minute between the fixer and clearing step. I've never had any pink T-Max film as a result.

However, I have seen non-T-Max films (Tri-X, etc.,) pick up the dye from used solutions of clearing agent (or perhaps fixer). That is easily avoided by using the clearing agent one-shot, or not using the same chemicals for different films.

[Edwardv]

Expose the drid film to sunlight until the color tint disappears.

[Edwardv]

Forgot to add an "e" in dried.