Pyrocat-HD Stain level? and Fixer question

[wilsonneal]

Hello Pyrocat-HD users

I processsed my first 10 sheets of TMY 8x10 in Pyrocat HD yesterday. My exposures were a little erratic as I was dealing with bellows factor and goofed, but I did get a few sheets that were at least in the ballpark at EI 320.

I am not seeing as much stain as I expected. I do see a slight warm, yellowish cast, but not to the degree I anticipated. The only other pyro negs I've ever seen were PMK negs and they had a bit more obvious stain.

I used distilled water for making A and B, and am using 1:1:100 dilution.

Also, regarding fixer. I used the PF TF-4 fixer. My first experience with it. Has a disagreeable ammonia odor. I've read that you should NOT reuse this fixer with Pyro negs, so it's a one shot and dump solution. Is that right? What happens if you reuse it? Is there any other fixer that can be reused?

Thanks
Neal

 

[Claire Senft]

Staining on films developed in Pyrocat HD are visually less pronounced than PMK and others. The most dependable way to make a judgement is to make a print. Pyrocat gives vey little overall stain which in comparison to other staining developers gives the appearance of almost no stain.

Try a print..I think you will be surprised.

 

[lee]

Staining on films developed in Pyrocat HD are visually less pronounced than PMK and others. The most dependable way to make a judgement is to make a print. Pyrocat gives vey little overall stain which in comparison to other staining developers gives the appearance of almost no stain.

Try a print..I think you will be surprised.

I agree with Claire.

lee\c

 

[jim appleyard]

Yes, your stain color and intensity are just fine, at least with my somewhat limited experience with Pyrocat HD. I've used more of WD2D+ and PMK than HD, but I had results like yours. do make some prints, I think you'll like them. There are many ways with many formulas to stain a neg!

Re:your fix. I use fix until it is exhausted regardless of the dev used. I've always been a fan of Edwal's Hypo Check. Just a drop in your fix and it will form a white-yellow blob when it's bad. Or you can take the leader of a roll of film and dunk it in the fix. If it clears in a minute or so, you're good to go. I've never heard of one-shot fixes.

 

[karavelov]

Hello Pyrocat-HD users

I am not seeing as much stain as I expected. I do see a slight warm, yellowish cast, but not to the degree I anticipated. The only other pyro negs I've ever seen were PMK negs and they had a bit more obvious stain.

Neal

Bleach a test negative with ferricyanide+hypo solution and you will be surprised by the level of the stain. Pyrocat uses pyrocatechin as development/stainig agent which produces stain of different color cast (more black-brown) than pyrogallol that is used in PMK.

 

[jim appleyard]

BTW, I've noticed that the ammonia smell decreases with age in TF-4.

 

[waterlily]

How long are you rinsing the film? I use this film and developer combination (at 2:2:100) and the stain seems to increase with time in water rinse. I use standard Kodak liquid Rapid Fix without the hardener and with a two bath fix, I reuse it several times. Then I dump the first fix and add a fresh second fix. I also use a water stop. My understanding is that a strong acid stop may reduce stain. The stain may have more effect than you expect. Depending on your printing light. Nice combination.

 

[wilsonneal]

How long are you rinsing the film? I use this film and developer combination (at 2:2:100) and the stain seems to increase with time in water rinse. I use standard Kodak liquid Rapid Fix without the hardener and with a two bath fix, I reuse it several times. Then I dump the first fix and add a fresh second fix. I also use a water stop. My understanding is that a strong acid stop may reduce stain. The stain may have more effect than you expect. Depending on your printing light. Nice combination.

15 minute running water wash. 60 second water stop bath.
I am going to make some contacts tomorrow night. Souped the rest of my 18 sheets exposed this weekend tonight.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Neal