Topic: Bizarre new development with C-41

[Terry]

It's still drying but when it's done I'll scan and post.  I was developing a roll of Portra from last night's FW meetup and using a "fresh" batch of chemistry. (I divide each liter of mixed chems into two sets of 500mL bottles--this was the first use of the second set of bottles in my most recent batch, hence,"fresh".)  So I've finished the developing bath and am pouring the developer back into its bottle, but there's a strong orange tint to the liquid (which is usually more or less clear).  So I brace myself for a failed roll but fix and wash as normal.  There is nothing wrong with the negs--they look perfect.  So, what's making the developer orange???

[Indofunk]

I'm surprised your last batch of C41 developer did NOT turn orange Mine generally no, always, starts pale yellow, then becomes orange, then eventually mud-brown. Totally normal. I'm on roll #18 out of an entire liter (using 500mL at a time) and it's already pretty much opaque brown. Still develops fine.

[Terry]

Whew.  I was panicking there for a moment, but when I pulled the neg out of the tank I stopped.  It was the roll I shot at the sphere--I'd have been pissed off if it failed.

[Indofunk]

C41 developer is dangerous stuff because it starts to look like orange soda or Kool Aid or something for the second through maybe 5th dev cycle, and I'm sorely tempted to drink it 

[Terry]

It would need to be fizzy too.

And I didn't add any developing time but it all seems to have worked perfectly--the negs look nice and dense where they should.

[Indofunk]

What speed were you shooting at? Portra 400 or 800?

[Terry]

It was Portra 160, pushed to 320.  The film didn't seem to notice the difference!

[Indofunk]

In my experience, a one stop underexposure needs no push processing on any negative film I've ever used. Tri-X 400 @800, Gold 200 @400, etc. Once you get to 2 stops it benefits from pushing (except Portra 400, which I shot once at 1600 and pushed it a mere 1/2 stop in C41 ... I'm sure I didn't even need to do that).

[Terry]

Just proving that Leonore is right: film is magic.