EFKE 25 Problem

I shot and processed a roll of EFKE 25 in 120 format and used Pyrocat HD as my developer. Interesting results to say the least. The film looks like I would expect an ISO 25 film to look -- contrasty, sharp etc. However, before I was done I could see that the emulsion (gel) was beginning to separate from the film base. I used Formulary TF-4 fixer for 4-minutes. Water for stop bath. Distilled water throughout the process. I also noticed that there were several specks of emulsion floating around in the final water rinse. The emulsion appeared to have a very heavy magenta stain that would not fix or wash out. This is now my second roll of this film that has ended up this way. My question is what could I be doing wrong? Thanks for any help.

Not sure why the emulsion is seperating. I use this combination often and have never had this problem. I aslo use TF-4 for the same amount of time. The magenta stain seems to be normal, as I have got it every time. Not to mention the film curls like a mad dog. Perhaps you just got a bad batch of film. Try another developer and see if you get the same results to be sure.

One suggestion I have for Efke 25 is to presoak for a few minutes before developing. This will rid the film of the anti-halation backing layer and allow a good displacement of water for developer and even development.

If you are having some separation of emulsion from the backing, I would first suspect water temperature. Was one step in your process too hot? Try everything at 70f and make sure it stays about there.

The film normally has a pinkish tint to the clear (unexposed) base in what I've seen. Is your TF-4 fresh and uncontaminated?

I have developed this in Rodinal, D76, and more receintly PMK without trouble. Maybe try a fixer with hardener as the emulsion is supposed to be very soft. I use Kodak fixer with hardener and have never had a problem with the emultion scratching or flaking off. It still stains fine with PMK even without the post soak, infact I think my Efke 25 negitives look and print better after I stopped using TF-4 and post soaking in spent developer, but that is just my subjective opinion, your results may differ.
Hope that helps.