Hypo clearing on E-6 process

avortex · Jun 11, 2016

I'm considering using a Hypo clearing bath after fixing when I process E-6 films.
Do you think it's a good idea? Would it be useful?
I'm using the Fuji 6-bath kit (no stabilizer at the end).

Thanks in advance!

Ian Grant · Jun 11, 2016

There's no point, the silver has been bleached from the film it's serve no purpose. It'll do more harm than good.

Ian

avortex · Jun 11, 2016

Thanks, Ian. Do you think that double fixing is recommended for E-6?

davedm · Jun 11, 2016

My be PE will chime in at some point but I will pose some questions.

Why do you want to double fix E-6. Unless you are facing with silver retention, double fixing is unnecessary and not recommended (even with retention, bleach may be more of problem than fix). Please note that E-6 fix is not just hypo.

Also, Why are you skipping stabilizer. Fuji Chrome6 is actually 7 bath kit, with 7th bath being stabilizer (AKA Final Rinse) and supposed to be outside the tank/processor (off the reels too) and hence the name 6 bath. See Fuji's instructions here if you have not seen it already.

Rudeofus · Jun 12, 2016

The biggest potential issue I see with HCA in color processes is that its pH may be all over the place. The last concentrated bath in color processes, typically the fixer, should have pH 6.5.

Ian Grant · Jun 12, 2016

avortex said:
Thanks, Ian. Do you think that double fixing is recommended for E-6?

As long as your fixer is OK double fixing is not needed, as all the silver is removed archival permanence is down to dye stability and storage.

Ian

avortex · Jun 12, 2016

Thank a lot for the answers!
I've been using the Fuji kit during several years and results have been always perfect, but those questions were flying around and want to be sure about that. Now everything makes sense
Davedm, yes, I know that there's a final rinse bath, but it doesn't contain formaldehyde thanks to the pre-bleach, hence my comment.

Thanks everybody!

Photo Engineer · Jun 12, 2016

You do not need any wash aid or hypo removal aid with E6 but you do need the final rinse.

Silver is both a fungicide and an anti bacterial agent. Removing it all from color products leaves a gelatin matrix with couplers, a fertile ground for these beasties. So, the final rinse prevents their growth.

Chances are, about 20 years from now, your images may be fine but a bit furry from growths if you omit the final rinse. Besides, it contains photo flo to prevent water spots.

PE

avortex · Jun 16, 2016

Thanks, PE!
I've never omitted the final rinse. I was just noticing that this final rinse on the fuji kit doesn't contain formaldehyde as in the Tetenal kit, but thanks for the advice.

Hypo clearing on E-6 process

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