Pyrocat HD - how long to wash negs?

[Jeff Bannow]

Sandy King's website recommends a hypo-clear bath and 30 minute wash. TF-5 fixer directions recommend no hypo-clear and a 5 minute wash.

So, which one should I go with? What do you do to wash your Pyrocat negs?

 

[erikg]

I wash them just like any other film, which is hypo-clear and 5 minute wash. I test my films from time to time for residual fixer and they always come up clear.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

The type of developer does not determine how long you wash your film. The reason for washing the film is to get rid of residual fixer.
Through the last six years or so I've used Ilford Hypam, a near neutral pH fixer (that works very well with Pyrocat, by the way), and regardless of developer, I wash for 20 minutes in a dedicated film washer. No residual fixer in sight.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Thanks, guys. I guessed as much - I've been washing for 10 minutes with my previous developer with no problems. Just seemed odd - I figured there might be a connection with the pyro stain and increased washing requirements.

 

[Rick A]

I dont use HCA and wash a la Ilford method. TF-4 and TF-5 do not require HCA and short washes are the reason I use them.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

What threw me off was that he mentions using TF-3, hypo and 30 minute wash. Glad to hear I don't need to overwash my negs!

 

[jp498]

I use tf4 and wash for 30 minutes. Any less doesn't get the pink out of tmy2. I don't use a fixer remover as I have plenty of water and prefer to limit the variety of chemicals going into my septic system.

 

[bdial]

...I've been washing for 10 minutes with my previous developer with no problems.

Without testing, unless your wash time is so short you get crystals of evaporated fix on the negs, you won't know if you have a problem for about 30 years, + or -.

Whether or not that matters to you is a different issue though.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Without testing, unless your wash time is so short you get crystals of evaporated fix on the negs, you won't know if you have a problem for about 30 years, + or -.

Whether or not that matters to you is a different issue though.

Good point. I'm currently using Kodak's recipe for HT-2 to test for proper washing.

Any suggestions on the best way to determine that proper washing has taken place?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Good point. I'm currently using Kodak's recipe for HT-2 to test for proper washing.

Any suggestions on the best way to determine that proper washing has taken place?

Touche!

 

[Dan Henderson]

Being on a septic system now I wanted to eliminate as much silver going down the drain as possible. So I adopted the Ilford wash method (fill tank, agitate, dump x 5). The wash water then goes through jnanian's silver recovery equipment.

When I went to this method I tested using the HT1 test described on page 312 of the Darkroom Cookbook.