randall cherry Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Hi Everyone, I just picked up some B&W Chromira prints made from XP2 negatives from my local pro lab ("Lab #2"), and the printing technician said that my negatives have a magenta cast due to inadequate fixing in an exhausted fix solution. Previously, I had another lab ("Lab #1") make a first set of Chromira prints which were disappointing looking and had a green cast. When Lab #2 redid the work, they stated that the green cast of my first prints was from the original magenta cast to the negatives. Is a magenta cast normal for XP2, and if not, is an exhausted fixer a possible/probable cause and/or are there other possible causes for a magenta cast? (BTW, the film was 220 size shot in a Rolleiflex 2.8E3 TLR with a deep yellow filter at 80ASA in the Canadian Rockies in June, and Lab #1 made the scans with a Heidleberg drum scanner, and Lab #2 used an Imacon 848 scanner. The film was stored in a refrigerator/ice chest except during travel, and it was not x-rayed at any of the airports I passed through). I just want to be sure I am not going off half-cocked when I talk to my developing lab (which is neither Lab #1 or Lab #2). Thanks for the help! --Randall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill.akstens Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 My XP2 negs usually have a slight purple tint to them. I believe this is normal (antihalation dye remnants?). My guess is the first lab just isn't doing a competent job printing them neutral. My biggest issue with machine prints from XP2 is getting decent contrast - oftentimes the prints look too grey and dull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eye-of-searle Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Sounds like the lab does not know how to print XP-2. In non technical terms, you can't just throw it in there like color negs and get good results. My advise, find another Lab that knows how or cares enough to learn how to print XP-2 properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discpad Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Randall wrote "B&W Chromira prints made from XP2 negatives" Read that line again. And again. Now, tell me what is wrong with this sentence? "Chromira print" and "XP2 negatives" are in the same sentence. Look at that again: You have an XP2 (chromogenic C-41) negative that is being scanned as a color neg and printed on an RGB laser color photo printer: The, ahem, "operators" at both "Lab #1" and "Lab #2" both had a rectal <--> cranial inversion: They forgot to convert the file from RGB to monochrome! I don't think even Wal-Mart could f**k up a job this badly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.t. dowling Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 Dan S is right. On the occasions that I've taken XP2 or BW400CN to Wal-Mart, they even ask me whether I want neutral B&W or sepia prints. And they've always been neutral or sepia, depending on what I asked for -- never magenta or green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randall cherry Posted May 5, 2006 Author Share Posted May 5, 2006 hmmm. Good points. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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