Purple XP2

[wyk_penguin]

Just got some XP2 back from the local minilab. It's PURPLE!!

Is this normal? Ilford claims that slight pink colour is OK and will fade away soon. But what about deep purple? Any similar experience?

[peter_n]

I've had purple, orange and red so far.

[blakley]

A lot of Ilford B&W films come out of the tank purple too. I eventually stopped worrying about it.

[wyk_penguin]

Wow. That was a quick reply alright, not to mention comforting.
So, how do you print your XP2 on B&W paper if it's got a seriuos coour cast? Or does it just magically fades away after a few days/weeks/months?

Traditional Ilford B&W films do come out purple, but my XP2 negs were at least twice as purple as the normal B&W negs.

[gb hill]

From what little research I've done on these chromegenic films is that the lab probably failed to calibrate the machine before they processed your film. I've not used Ilford but I have used Kodak bw400cn which people have had the same problems. Sometimes comming back with even a green tint in the photos. So I asked them at the Sams Club where I get mine processed about it, and they said they calibrate every time they process, and mine came back "spot on" as the english say. The RGB has to be calibrated just right or you'll get that tint in your photos.[especially after running through batches of color film] I have also read it depends on the paper they use, but I am not sure if thats true . They used Fuji Crystal Archive paper on mine and the grays were really nice. Hope this helps and don't give up on the xp.

[peter_n]

Last time I got some chromogenic printed one or two of the negs were colored but the prints were fine. I've been scanning mine for the web mainly so it is a simple matter to just convert to grayscale and then apply whatever post-processing you want. I wouldn't worry about it.

[smiling gecko]

...deep purple?
musically, deep purple is very, very, good .
(could not resist the smart *#^ remark)

photographically, it's par for the course - sometimes. as already mentioned the other colors may result depending on each lab/visit/etc.

i remember my first prints and negatives from the ilford xp - yikes, what happened i wondered? reasssured by others it was "normal" i relaxed a bit.

i did learn that those (and the kodak b&w chromogenic) negatives would print beautifully. they do require a grade or two or three higher contrast filter/dichroic head setting/paper grade than a most traditional b&w films.

i have found it to be my favorite portrait film...it's sharp without being "edgy" and the tonal range is generous and smooth. sometimes i look at a print from the 35mm version and it will look more like it was shot on the 120 format.

if i ever get around to getting a 4x5 enlarger, i will have to run some through my crown graphic...

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smile, breathe, relax and enjoy
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hasta la vista, voyez-vous plus tard, daskorava,fino al prossimo tempo, auf wiedersehen, vedali piu sucessivamente, la revedere, sai jian, and ... later y’all

kenneth lockerman
NEVER FORGET BESLAN
www.neverforgetbeslan.com
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kenneth@neverforgetbeslan.com

"...patience and shuffle the cards" miguel cervantes
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[titrisol]

I'm laaaazzzyyy, just stay in bed (good point smiling gecko)

But XP2 prints very well as is, a bit low contrast so a filter 3 or 3.5 is needed