What you’re looking at: Top left is previous C41 developed with the same brand of chemistry, not the same batch though. Bottom left is my problem roll of C41, noticeably “thin” negatives that are more green than usual (resulting in too much magenta cast in scanned image as well as very little shadow detail). Right is a roll of slide film (Kodak elitechrome 100) that was developed in the same tank as the problem roll (my tank does 5 rolls at once).
What I’m using: Kodak Flexicolor chemistry mixed and bottled for home development. My first batch of C41 replenisher made for 5L (that was used for top left roll), once it was used up I bought the 10L version as I do this semi-commercially. I’ve noticed the 10L mixture has a slight fishy odor that wasn’t there in the first 5L batch... I kept everything as clean as I could when preparing the replenisher–washing the storage bottles in a dishwasher, mixing the chemistry in a well-washed pool chlorine bucket, and adding distilled water only. Granted, human error is always present especially when mixing on your garage floor, so if contamination could cause a stronger odor that might be the issue. For developing I use a water bath controlled with a sous-vide, so the rolls/tank were pre-warmed with distilled water, and then the working solution of developer was poured in once its temperature reached just above the 37.8 C mark. Agitation (and aeration of the bleach) was standard for what the flexicolor kit requires.
What I think went wrong: I processed 4 rolls of C41 with the roll of slide film above, using the fishy-smelling Kodak replenisher with “seasoned” bleach/fix/rinse chemistry that has seen about 20 rolls prior (fixer is currently at the color of dark urine, sorry if that’s gross). I’m wondering if the results of my problem roll are because I cross-processed the reversal film and the negative films in the same tank/chemistry. Otherwise, what else might have caused the thinness and magenta cast of those negatives, and is there any way I can restore them? They’ve already gone through both bleach and fix, so I’m wondering if rebleaching and/or refixing might improve them at all. Also wondering if this 10L batch of replenisher with a fishy odor is worth risking on other rolls, or if it could be the culprit.
Any theories are greatly appreciated and apologies if I left any important variables out!
What I’m using: Kodak Flexicolor chemistry mixed and bottled for home development. My first batch of C41 replenisher made for 5L (that was used for top left roll), once it was used up I bought the 10L version as I do this semi-commercially. I’ve noticed the 10L mixture has a slight fishy odor that wasn’t there in the first 5L batch... I kept everything as clean as I could when preparing the replenisher–washing the storage bottles in a dishwasher, mixing the chemistry in a well-washed pool chlorine bucket, and adding distilled water only. Granted, human error is always present especially when mixing on your garage floor, so if contamination could cause a stronger odor that might be the issue. For developing I use a water bath controlled with a sous-vide, so the rolls/tank were pre-warmed with distilled water, and then the working solution of developer was poured in once its temperature reached just above the 37.8 C mark. Agitation (and aeration of the bleach) was standard for what the flexicolor kit requires.
What I think went wrong: I processed 4 rolls of C41 with the roll of slide film above, using the fishy-smelling Kodak replenisher with “seasoned” bleach/fix/rinse chemistry that has seen about 20 rolls prior (fixer is currently at the color of dark urine, sorry if that’s gross). I’m wondering if the results of my problem roll are because I cross-processed the reversal film and the negative films in the same tank/chemistry. Otherwise, what else might have caused the thinness and magenta cast of those negatives, and is there any way I can restore them? They’ve already gone through both bleach and fix, so I’m wondering if rebleaching and/or refixing might improve them at all. Also wondering if this 10L batch of replenisher with a fishy odor is worth risking on other rolls, or if it could be the culprit.
Any theories are greatly appreciated and apologies if I left any important variables out!