Fomapan 200 purple cast after developing in Pyrocat HD

[Terry Jones]

I'm new here but I can't find any info on this anywhere...

I have recently added 5x4 to my 35mm & 6x6 repertoire. For cost reasons I have decided to stick with Fomapan film and after some experimentation in Rodinal I decided that I really liked Foma 200. Whilst feeling all 'grown up' about this I decided to purchase some Pyrocat HD and try that - partly because it looked very good but mainly because of its longevity.

I initially tried this developer with Ilford HP5 and Fomapan 400. This gave the usual brown stain on both films which I find scans very well. I then tried it on the Foma 200 and was surprised to find the sheets came out with a quite strong purple cast. Although this still scans ok, is this normal?

I have since invested in all the kit and chemicals to make my own Pyrocat HD and this produces exacly the same purple cast so I guess this is what I should expect?

 

[Ian Grant]

Not all films stain the same, the colour of the stain van vary quite significantly, HP5 stains much browner than Delta 100, Fomapan 100 & 200 have a much colder looking stain, but they print and scan well. Aside from a few in Xtol around 15/116 years ago I've used Pyrocat HD with Fomapan 100 & 200.

Ian

 

[Terry Jones]

Thanks Ian, I thought it was just me. I intent to stick with Pyrocat if I can, I find moving around developers is not a good idea while learning the ropes on a new format.

 

[thronobulax]

Thanks Ian, I thought it was just me. I intent to stick with Pyrocat if I can, I find moving around developers is not a good idea while learning the ropes on a new format.

It's probably worth noting that an over purple-ish stain can be an indication of weak fixing or poor washing so I'd recommend eliminate those variables just to be careful. A 1min prewash in water before development can also be helpful.

 

[Terry Jones]

Interesting, thank you for that info. I do a one minute prewash so that’s out of the way. I usually fix for four minutes but I can be a bit variable with the wash - I will try leaving it for longer.

 

[Ian Grant]

I checked some negatives a few minutes ago, and Delta 100 has a more purple tinge, like Fomapan 100 & 200, Fortepan 200 is similar to HP5, and they stain more heavily..

Extending fixing or washing doesn't remove any Pyrocat HD staining. With Tmax films that's quite a different issue of a purple/red and is to do with the way it's emulsion is dye sensitised, and it's high Iodide content, both of which inhibit and slow down fixing, and is not related to the developer used.

Ian

 

[David M]

Welcome to the forum. You’ve started out in a very promising way. Looking forward to seeing more of you.

 

[Terry Jones]

Ian, I did have my doubts as I usually check the negs while fixing, wait till they clear and then double that time. I have noticed they are purple stained before the fix really gets started.

David, thanks for the welcome, much appreciated!

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

Not all films stain the same, the colour of the stain van vary quite significantly, HP5 stains much browner than Delta 100, Fomapan 100 & 200 have a much colder looking stain,

Is this because of the base tint? Or does the emulsion also play a role in this?

 

[Ian Grant]

Fomapan films have had various base tints, the 120 films had a decidedly blue/green base for a while. There is obviously also an emulsion element as HP5 stains differently to Delta 100 or 400, despite being on the same film base.

Ian

 

[thronobulax]

Another reason for colour is the antihalation layer. But this should normally be fully removed with proper fixing and washing. I know that both Tri-X and TMax-100 need a good wash to get the purple out.

My standard discipline is 5 min in TF-4 to fix and 25 min in a running water wash (in my case, a Gravity Works film washer to minimize water use). Using this fix/wash protocol, I see no colour or tint other than the brown stain of the Pyrocat-HD with Fomapan 200 in either 35mm or 5x4.

 

[David M]

Does this purple cast cause any difficulties? I think you mentioned that you scan. I can imagine that some colour casts might cause difficulties with Multigrade wet printing, but perhaps only at the ends of the scale.

 

[Terry Jones]

While becoming acquainted with 5x4 system I took a series of shots of the same subject and developed in various devs in order to decide which I preferred for this format.

While scanning these on my Epson V850 I did not notice any difference. Sadly, my enlarger won’t accommodate 5x4 so I can only contact print at the moment and haven’t really done enough to comment.