the dreaded magenta

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I've gotten some slightly magenta negatives lately when developing tri-x in xtol and fixing with Kodak Fixer. After reading the other entries on this subject I know how to get rid of the color. My question is: if my negatives print well now, with the slight magenta cast, do I need to worry about the color? Does it mean I'll have discoloration problems with these negatives down the road? I'd just as soon not have to go back and refix/rewash a bunch of already cut negative strips. Thanks in advance for any responses.

-- john rosewall (jrosewall@csudh.edu), April 07, 1998

Answers

Yes. Insufficiently fixed or washed negatives might print OK for now, but they are likely to discolour, fade, mottle, rust and generally go mouldy over the next few years. Well, OK, maybe no rust or mould.

If you've already cut them into strips, you can re-fix and re-wash in trays, just like prints (or sheet film, for that matter). It's very easy.

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), April 08, 1998.


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