Green cast in photos--RA-4 process

[redtail]

Good morning!!

During the last weekend of May I mixed a batch of RA-4 chemisty in 10L containers. I used a Fujimoto table top processor with exceptional results. When I was finished I drained the chemisty, rinsed the processor, removed and rinsed the rollers.

Last night I filled the processor with some of the chemisty that I had mixed during the last session. Using the same paper that I had gotten terrific results with last time I was shocked to see that all photos I tried to print last night had a severe green cast, even under the border.

Thinking that my "expired" paper may have actually expired I opened another box of paper (different manufacturer) and these results were the same, except instead of a green cast I got an almost black cast.

So has my paper gone "bad", has my chemistry expired or were my cleaning skills not up to par??

 

[markbarendt]

Mixed chemicals are have a very limited shelf life. You may have found the limit on the blix and the developer may follow suit shortly.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/j39/j39.pdf

 

[Bob-D659]

How are you storing the mixed chemistry? How are you storing the used chemistry?

Kodak RA/RT dev and blix chemistry will keep for well over six months in air squeezed out 2 liter soda bottles when mixed with distilled water. I use them one shot and mix 2 liters at a time from the concentrates.

 

[EdSawyer]

Even longer

RA/RT will keep even longer and without even that good a storage method. I have been using some I mixed last Nov, and it's still fine. I use a cp-31 fuJimoto. I would suspect contamination perhaps blix migrating into dev.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I will second the coment s on long lived RA-RT. I too run a CP31. I have a bottle of the low utilization adder for blix that likely helps me store the stuff a long time.

I do filter the blix if it is used, and has sat a long time (like more than 3 months), to make sure it is not sulphuring out before pouring it back into the processor. I store it in a 2L palstic bottle.

The developer I store in a 2.5L glass bottle, and gas blanket it, to keep it from oxidizing.

I do not sure used solution with new solution in the same bottles. If I need to replensih from the last session, I won't do that until I start using the chems again; that way some fresh chems get into the tank every time.

I have had good results re-using RA-RT for periods of over 4 months. The used and replenisher solutions are stored in a 16-20C basement in the dark.

I mix replenisher 1L at a time. I seem to recall with the kit I buy from Kodak I worked out that it is 50mL A, 23.6 ml B, and 50mL C per litre.
I do repour the B developer component when it first comes to me into a small glass bottle(s) and gas top them as well if they are not tolally full.
Things last much longer this way than mixing the whole 10L at once.

I too concur with the blix contaminating the developer theory. It does not take much to mess it up.
I don't pull my racks until after I have drained the processor, and then refill the tanks with water for a rinse, hoping that this keeps the chance of contamination down.

 

[RPC]

Even Longer #2

As has been my experience as well as others posted here, RA-4 developer has been known to last years stored full in glass and possibly good plastic bottles. As I posted elsewhere I have some RA-RT stored in glass mixed in early 2008 that is still giving excellent results. I am having similar results with C-41 developer.

RPC

 

[Photo Engineer]

If you have some hypo or ammonia contamination in the color developer, or have some safelight fog (red or amber), you can get green or cyan fog! Cross contamination is a very common event when re-using chemistry in processors. Always clean from the front (developer) to back. Always store in clean containers.

PE

 

[redtail]

Thanks for all of your input!! With my schedule I only get a chance to do darkroom work is on the weekends. Just so that I can try and pin point exactly where my problems arose from I will start from scratch. First, I will thoroughly clean everything. Then clean it again. Then try a test. If everything comes out good, then I will know I had a contamination issue.

But if I still have trouble then I will mix another batch of chemistry and start the whole process over. BTW--I am mixing and storing my chemistry in plastic 10l jugs. I had given no thought to possible oxidation issues. I had bought several CASES of RA4 chemistry at prices that were absolutley criminal at a "going out of business" sale. Not to appear wasteful, but since I knew my darkroom time would be minimal and I had an almost excess of chemicals, I have been disposing of my used chemistry after each session. One less thing to worry about. Once I can get a pattern of usage and a viable storage system, with no contamination, then I may look at reusing the chemistry.

Thanks again!!

Randy