What went wrong - TMax 3200 problem

[thmk]

Hi all,

I just developed a roll of TMax 3200 in TMax developer. The negs look ok on the first view but most of them have a purple touch. Could it be that I have to renew my fixer or went something wrong during development? The film was stored in the fridge and expired 01/2005.
I would be thankful for any hint.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[Andrew Touchon]

T-max films require at least 5min. in rapid fixer and twice as long, 10 min., when using regular Kodak fixer. The also require 20-30 min. to throughly wash the purple dye out. The T-max films will also deplete the strength of your fixer quicker than most other films. If you just inspect your film when you think your done fixing and it's got a purple tint, juat put it back in your fixer for a few more min. and it should clear. Also, it's important to follow Kodaks recommended agation schedule.

Andy

 

[back alley]

what andy said.

longer fix & wash times needed, though i don't think the purple is harmful.

joe

 

[thmk]

Many thanks for the hint. I fixed again for 3 minutes and washed for 20min and the purple is completely gone. This was my first try with TMax 3200 at home 🙂 Does the longer fixing time also apply to TMax 400? This is the next film I would like to give a try.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[back alley]

if i recall correctly it's the same with all tmax films.

joe

 

[Andrew Touchon]

Yes. All T-Max films require the longer fixing/wash cycles.

I suggest you go to the Kodak website and printout the developing instructions. If you carefully follow their instructions you shouldn't have any more problems.


Andy

 

[sockdaddy]

20 min. wash? who has that much time?

 

[jlw]

Hey, nobody says you have to stand there and watch it wash. Think of what all you could get done in that 20 minutes...

 

[titrisol]

As a rule of thumb, when negatives come out cloudy or with a solored tinge (purple or such) fix them for another few minutes or with fresh(er) fixer

Washing: As a water-conscious person I'd better use the 5 changes of water method. It is archival and uses less water.

 

[kaiyen]

I use the 5 swap, Ilford method as well to save water. To make up for reduced wash time (which is really only a factor in this scenario, with tmax films that require more washing), use some HCA wash aid. It'll help a great deal.

allan

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

With TJ-Max, I always fix twice as long as I would with any other normal film. And wash for an extra 5 minutes. Unless I develop it in Diafine, TJ-Max is the only film I pre-wash before developing.

I should rephrase that: I only develop it in Diafine now; I used to pre-wash it before developing, otherwise.

 

[John Robertson]

20 min. wash? who has that much time?

I hope you are not refering also to personal hygine 😛
Seriously - its good to know about the extra time needed for T.Max films 🙂