Color cast from Dektol

Silverpixels5 · Sep 11, 2003

Has anyone ever noticed a slight or not so slight pink color cast from on papers developed in Dektol? I've noticed that my fiber based pictures using Agfa MGC seem to have this color. RC papers and fiber based Agfa Insignia dont' suffer from this problem though. I use a water stop and TF-4 fixer. Is this a common problem or am I doing something wrong during development or mixing that is causing this problem?

David A. Goldfarb · Sep 11, 2003

It's the combination of Dektol, the paper, and TF-4. I had that problem when I first started using TF-4 for paper.

Be sure to use a full 30 second rinse for RC or 1 min for FB in reasonably fresh water between dev. and TF-4. I fill the water tray as high as is practical and change it periodically during long printing sessions. Also be sure the fixer is not exhausted.

lee · Sep 11, 2003

never saw it pink just green. That is why I went to mixing Defender 55. Essentially Dektol but warmer toned without the green. I recommend it highly. I saw another thread on an email list about Agfa MCC going off short and losing contrast. Be careful.

lee\c

Silverpixels5 · Sep 11, 2003

Is defender 55 a home brew or does somebody make it? Is it a concentrate or do you mix it straight to working strength. The reason I've been using Dektol is that it's pretty cheap and the stock solution last longer than I use it. I was thinking about moving to Agfa Neutol, but I may try out the Defender if it gives me the Dektol results w/o the color. Thanks!

lee · Sep 11, 2003

Defender 55 is a home brew. I found it in the Darkroom Cookbook and bought the chemicals and mixed it up and away I went.

lee\c

Jorge Oliveira · Sep 11, 2003

If you want to mix your own, I use Ilford ID-62 without bromide and double benzotriazole.
Very deep blue/black tones.

Jorge O

Silverpixels5 · Sep 11, 2003

I was fliping through my darkroom cookbook and have decided that I'm going to make some Ansco 130. It seems like a pretty versatile developer, with good keeping properties. I was trying to keep Dektol as my developer, but I really don't like the cast it puts on that paper...perhaps 130 will turn out to be better for me anyway

ann · Sep 11, 2003

I haven't used Dektol in a very long time, I have used Ansco 130 and like it very much; however, for ease have you tried LPD. We use it for our student labs and it's geat. The liquid version is expenses, but the powder form isn't bad.

Color cast from Dektol

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