Pink Negs with Tri-X

[george_zook]

I've read the forum and now suspect my fixing times are too short. Recently switched from Ilford to Kodak (powdered) fixer. I now am getting pink negs but have not tried to increase past the 5 minutes now using. The Ilford produced a very clear negative in that time. Would appreciate some advice on this issue. Thanks

[asher]

I've nere used powdered fixer, but I've had some good results

developing Tri-X in HC110 dilution d, 6 minutes at 71F, stop x 30

seconds, then fix in Kodak rapid fix+hardener for 2.5 minutes, then

fully rinse 10-12 times, add 2-3 drops of PhotoFlo, then rinse another

12 times and hang to dry in a relatively dust-free environment.<p> This

process has yielded clear negatives, with nice tones. <p>

Asher

[alan_gibson]

2.5 minutes sounds like a very short time, even for rapid fixer.

However, it may be OK (for fresh fixer), provided this is at least

twice the clearing time.

 

<p>

 

George: try fixing for 10 minutes, and see if that makes any

difference. A slight but totally even pink cast isn't really a

problem, and could be caused by inconsistencies in the film

manufacturing process.

[tony_brent]

The general rule is to fix for twice the time it takes the negative to

clear.

[lot_wxs]

I'd guess you used the same fixer for an Ilford Delta or Kodak T-max

film and afterwards for the Tri-X. Never you use the same fixer for

both Tri-X and new technology films.

[tim_brown]

"add 2-3 drops of PhotoFlo, then rinse another 12 times and hang to

dry" Rinsing after using PhotoFlo completely defeats its purpose.

PhotoFlo should be used in the final rinse, preferbly with distilled

water.

[john_hicks]

While two to three minutes in an ammonium thiosulfate rapid fixer is just fine, the powdered Kodak fixer is plain old sodium thiosulfate _non-rapid_ fixer.

 

<p>

 

Proper fix times for TX in that fixer are 5-10 mins, depending on temperature.

 

<p>

 

So the short answer is that your fix times are too short for the plain Kodak fixer.