How Critical is Wash Temperature?

[Bob Kerner]

I just DIY-d a MF film washer using some PVC tubing. Surprisingly easy but while testing it in my basement slop sink I realized that while the cold water is crystal clear, the hot water is pretty cloudy. I have an older home so, who knows, there may be some sediment in the pipes. The slop sink is the only faucet in the house that is threaded to accept a fitting to run a hose to the washer. So the best I can do is cold water for the wash cycle. Wondering if that will be detrimental.

Water temp is 62-63 F > 17-C

I went down this rabbit hole because I've noticed some spots on my sheet film developed in the Stearman tank and the advice was to wash outside the tank. I don't get the same spots on my MF film in a Patterson tank; I built the MF washer as a test-build to see how hard it would be. The rest of my work is done in the kitchen (less dust than basement) using filtered tap water that's usually 1 degree within 20-C. The kitchen faucet is one of those fancy-pants spray heads; no way to connect a hose. Adding filtration to the slop sink is not a viable option.


Maybe I'm missing something......or over-thinking.

I found some 4x5 washers on the auction site but don't want to spend the $$ if water temp is going to be a problem.

[nolindan]

I try for a wash temperature of ~75F. The warmer the water the faster the wash, within limits. Warm wash water has been said/rumored to increase grain. Very warm water may loosen or flush away the emulsion.

I've noticed that if the water is too cold the last of the purple TMax dye won't wash away.

If it were me, I would probably extend wash times 50% at ~60F. Contrary to some popular wisdom, I use HCA with film - it really helps get the purple out and I don't have to worry too much about wash times. For sheet film I wash in a tray with water changes. For roll film I have a plastic washing thingy I place under a gently running tap.

[xkaes]

That temperature is not a big problem, but if you are trying to reduce water use, use a "hypo-clear". Some "hot" water appears cloudy, but when allowed to cool down, the cloudiness is gone. Try that -- you may not have an issue there. And there are EZ tests to see if all the fixer has been removed. There's no need to waste water, time, or money.

And I'd really try to get some sort of filter for washing film. There are many options that are inexpensive and will even work with a garden hose connection. An easy, but last resort, option is a final rinse in distilled water.

[Tin Can]

Please STOP using obsolete

JARGON!

[Doremus Scudder]

A couple of things:

You want to avoid temperature-shocking your film. Try to keep the wash water reasonably close to the processing temperature; + or - 2°C at least. Otherwise, you risk reticulation (not such a problem with modern hardened emulsions) or "micro-reticulation," which appears as increased grain.

Washing at 60°F will take a long time and may not be complete. It would be better to bring a bucket of filtered, tempered water to your processing area and use that for fill-and-dump washing of your film.

Getting an in-line water filter for your wash-water feed shouldn't be hard. I've had several over the years that filter down to 5 microns. Do a search at your favorite online photo supplier.

If you are not using a staining developer, Hypo Clearing Agent (not jargon, rather a Kodak name for its wash aid) or other similar wash aid will speed up wash time and reduce the amount of water you use (making the bucket option easier).

If you have any concerns about your water quality, use a distilled water and wetting agent (e.g., Photo Flo) final rinse for several minutes, i.e., longer than the recommended time, in order to let minerals leach out and thereby prevent deposits on your film when it dries.

Best,

Doremus

[Mick Fagan]

I have the original Stearman tank, so it's had somewhere around 6 years of usage.

I've been washing my negatives exclusively in the tank since new, never once thought of putting the film in a specialised film washing apparatus.

Washing without running water is easy, a 1 litre kettle (or saucepan) of hot water then mix with tap water to around 23ºC as I use 23/24ºC for film developing. I need approximately 3 litres of water for washing over a 5 minute wash period. The Stearman takes around 465ml of water to cover the film, combined with a slow continuous inversion regime of ever lengthening wash periods, 30 seconds for the first wash, 1 minute for the second wash, and so on.

After the washing is over, I remove the film and using a 5x7" paper tray, I soak in a wetting agent for 30 seconds then hang up to dry.

An easy removal of the film from the film holders, is to have some water in a dish/tray, place the loaded and developed film, still in the holder onto the water, then removal of the top sheet is as easy as anything. Immediately after removing the first sheet, turn the film holder over so the remaining film is on the top. It only remains there until I have finished the wetting bath of the first sheet.

[Vaughn]

Kodak Hypo Clear is designed to help clean film in cold water (in the 50s), so that would be useful to use. The cloudiness in the hot water is just air bubbles, so may not be much of a concern. You can fill up a beaker of hot water and use it once the bubbles leave. For washing I prefer to rinse and fill, aggitate a couple times over 5 minutes, dump the water out, and repeat a few times.

[Tin Can]

My college had a big lovely DR

ALL water came direct from Lake Michigan

The lake freezes sometimes

The big rotary community wash tank was always very cold

Students often forgot their soggy prints

That ruined the prints

RC was banned as crap

only FIBER allowed in masters DR

I wish I could go back in time

[Jim Jones]

One way to provide quantities of water at an appropriate temperature for film processing is to store it in a space that is maintained near the desired temperature. For several decades my darkroom was an 8x12 section of an otherwise unused chicken house. Insulation, cheap paneling, a space heater, and an air conditioner made it clean and comfortable throughout the year. Running water from a well was available just outside the building. I bought distilled water for mixing chemicals and for the final film wash. Discarded 5 gallon jugs from a previous workplace provided generous amounts of water stored at room temperature. Photography in the boondocks can be enhanced by freedom from urban restraints!

[xkaes]

Photography in the boondocks can be enhanced by freedom from urban restraints!

AKA, "Dump it in the creek"