PYROCAT-HD PROBLEM

Hello all pyrocats!

I just processed my first Pyrocat-HD rolls, Across 100, pre-washed for 5 minutes, 19 minutes 1:1:100. Agitated first minute, then once every 30 seconds in a stainless steel tank. Plain water stop agitated for one minute and fixed for five minutes in Ilford HYPAM.

Film came out nicely, but NO STAIN! Looks just like the film I processed in my previous developer.

The color of the undiluted Solution "A" was very pale, not white, but a very pale beige.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Marek

Pyrocat doesn't show a heavy stain like PMK might, and it does vary greatly by film type. It usually seems to be more of a color change (like toning) rather than a full on stain. From what I understand it is normal and my negs print well (as long as I didn't fk up something else!).

Exactly what erikg said. Print more- worry less.

To get the maximum stain you should not use an acid fixer but an alkaline one. But Fuji Acros may not get a very big stain from Pyrocat...

acros doesn't stain much but it still renders a beautiful neg. print it and see. if you want to see more stain try a film like tmax 100, from memory, it would leave a more pronounced stain.

Marek Warunkiewicz said:

..... and fixed for five minutes in Ilford HYPAM............

Click to expand...

I don't suppose you added the Hypam hardener to the fixer? That would make it more acidic and might reduce the stain.

I was surprised my first time using Pyrocat -HD, I expected more stain as well. The key is to use a fixer like TF-4 or TF-5. You can use an acid stop bath, I believe Sandy King even recommends it. I use an acid stop of half strength followed by a water rinse prior to fixing. What bothered me was my negs appearing thin, but they print beautifully, as good or better than film developed in D-76. The stain is not as pronounced as other staining developers, but it does what it is supposed to.