colour problem developing with kodak flexicolor

[leticiaaie]

I've experienced this same problem twice, developing 120 kodak portra (expired 4 years ago, but kept in the fridge) in kodak flexicolor chemicals (same brand but different mixes, the first was in a lesson, mixed by the teacher, the second was at my lab, I had mixed it the day before).
The problem is color: cyan in the highlights and red in the shadows. Besides, in the second opportunity the complete film turned green (instead of caramel/orange).

process was the following:
temperature of all chemicals was 38º
prewash: 3 minutes (changed water in tank 5 times)
developer: 3.15 min (Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 2 seconds of agitation every 15 seconds.)
wash
bleach: 6:30 min (Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 5 seconds of agitation every 30 seconds.)
wash: 3 min
fixer: 6:30 min (Initial agitation for 30 seconds, followed by 5 seconds of agitation every 30 seconds.)
wash: 3 min
final rinse (stabilizer): 1:30 min (Initial agitation for 30 seconds)

these are some examples of the scanned negatives, and a picture for you to see how green the film turned out.

I would love to hear some opinions and advice since the person who taught me the process does not know how to help me and I definitely don't want to waste chemicals nor film!

 

[sevo]

You might want to try processing according to the spec sheet before you consider anything else... The specifications do not ask for a pre-wash, nor for a wash between developer and bleach - only bleach and fix must be separated by a wash (if you do not want to use up the kit in one session - excessive bleach pollution in the fixer does not affect the immediate results but the storage life of the latter).

 

[leticiaaie]

You might want to try processing according to the spec sheet before you consider anything else... The specifications do not ask for a pre-wash, nor for a wash between developer and bleach - only bleach and fix must be separated by a wash (if you do not want to use up the kit in one session - excessive bleach pollution in the fixer does not affect the immediate results but the storage life of the latter).

Thank you sevo, this spec sheet you mention: where can I find it? Thanks again!

 

[rscheffler]

I was also going to question the wash stages. Specifically the one after the developer seems excessively long if you're not using a stop bath and just water. Water won't sufficiently stop development and a long water wash will lead to color problems.

I did a quick search and only found a Kodak Z131 publication that discusses their various types of C-41 chemistry, but offers no processing times, etc.

I found this page somewhat helpful in outlining the various stages and pointing out where time and temperature is less critical.

 

[sevo]

Thank you sevo, this spec sheet you mention: where can I find it? Thanks again!

A German one is here: http://www.kodak.com/DE/pdf/de/professional/flexicolorC41Chemiekalien.pdf And there used to be a leaflet in each kit...

 

[brbo]

It's good to follow the standard c-41, but green negative means something is VERY wrong. Omitting the pre-wash and wash after developer won't fix it.

 

[sevo]

It's good to follow the standard c-41, but green negative means something is VERY wrong. Omitting the pre-wash and wash after developer won't fix it.

Bleach or fixer pollution into the pre-wash will have worse consequences than in the developer, as the pre-wash lacks buffering. Besides, it is easier to determine the error when we do not have to question each and every step.

 

[rscheffler]

I would check out the APUG color chemistry forum for possible answers and assistance. One member there appears to have worked at Kodak for a long time.

 

[Ronald M]

Send a roll to pro processor to see if film or your process.

Then follow directions.

 

[leticiaaie]

A German one is here: http://www.kodak.com/DE/pdf/de/professional/flexicolorC41Chemiekalien.pdf And there used to be a leaflet in each kit...

Thanks again sevo, there was no leaflet in my kit...

 

[leticiaaie]

Send a roll to pro processor to see if film or your process.

Then follow directions.

I have already sent one, and it turned ok! So I know there's sth wrong in my process. I started developing my own rolls, because the nearest film lab processing medium format film is 800km away!

 

[leticiaaie]

I would check out the APUG color chemistry forum for possible answers and assistance. One member there appears to have worked at Kodak for a long time.

I already have, thanks!

 

[pbo]

I use Flexicolor as well (bleach and fixer are coming from a Kodak F2 unit, which is Flexicolor SM) and when just beginning I found these pubs useful:

z131_03
z101_02
cis49-2009_12

I don't pre-wash as that's not called for in the pubs, but I do prewarm the tank in the tempering bath for 5 minutes and do 1-minute washes between dev, bleach, and fix. I one-shot the developer and replenish the other solutions. Works well and results are consistent!

 

[leticiaaie]

I use Flexicolor as well (bleach and fixer are coming from a Kodak F2 unit, which is Flexicolor SM) and when just beginning I found these pubs useful:

z131_03
z101_02
cis49-2009_12

I don't pre-wash as that's not called for in the pubs, but I do prewarm the tank in the tempering bath for 5 minutes and do 1-minute washes between dev, bleach, and fix. I one-shot the developer and replenish the other solutions. Works well and results are consistent!

Thanks! Why do you one-shot the developer?

 

[pbo]

Thanks! Why do you one-shot the developer?

I recall being advised to do so for consistency and simplicity. And it's actually not too expensive to do so - developer is cheap, I get the 20 ltr pack (such as this one) and mix a gallon at a time. The starter is also required with this method, but it's also not expensive and it will last a while (through multiple 20 ltr kits). I should mention I use jobo rotary method, so my volumes are cut in about half of inversion method.

If you're interested, I can dig out my directions for mixing a gallon of working solution of developer.

 

[leticiaaie]

Hi to everyone following this thread. Once again, thanks for all your helpful answers. Pbo: I already have a kodak sheet with mixing instructions, thanks! I want to tell you all that I developed 35mm film some days ago. I repeated all my steps but did not wash between delevoper and bleach. I like the results best, although I have some inconsistency throughout the roll: some have realistic colors and other photographs' temperature is too warm. I attach two examples of both cases:

[/url]img044w by leticia aiello, on Flickr


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img054w by leticia aiello, on Flickr