Kodak manual Using Kodak Chemicals, Process E-6 Z-119 Sixth Edition

Appearance of Film

Possible Cause

Red	Inadequate aeration of bleach
	Pre-bleach concentration too high
	Inadequate aeration of fixer
	First-wash temperature too high
	Severely oxidized color developer
Magenta	Color developer pH low
	Color developer concentrated
	Too much Part B in color developer
	Underreplenished color developer
Cross-Width Bar Marks (with stainless-steel reels)	Gaseous-burst agitation used in first developer
	Incorrect or inadequate manual agitation
Scum and Dirt*	Bio-growth (slime) in final rinse (drain and replace)
	Air filters in dryer need changing
	Dirt in solutions; use floating covers on processor and replenisher solution tanks
	Final rinse overconcentrated
	Precipitate in pre-bleach
	Dirt from dryer
	Fixer sulfurized
	Defoamer added directly to any solution or too much defoamer used
Surface Spots (appear dark by transmitted light)	Dirt from final rinse
	Water spotting. Final rinse too dilute
	Dirt from dryer
	Fixer sulfurized
	Dryer temperature too high
Streaks—Nonuniformity	Bleach or fixer time too short, temperature too low, or replenisher too dilute
	Uneven or insufficient agitation, particularly in first and color developers
	Nonuniform agitation in first and color developers
	Low first-wash flow rate
	Foam rundown
Scratches and Abrasions	Dirty squeegee blades
	Jammed, misaligned, or dirty rollers
	Cinch marks due to excessive take-up tension
	Dirt from loading area
	Dirt from camera
Light Density Spots, Streaks, or Patterns	Static
	Fog
Stain	Loss of bleach, fixer, or pre-bleach activity
	Fixer sulfurized by excessive aeration
	Bleach not sufficiently aerated
	Color-developer time too long or temperature too high
	Inadequate first-developer agitation

*A buildup of fungus or algae in processing solutions or wash tanks can cause dirt. To minimize buildup, drain wash tanks when they are not in use. When you expect the processor to be out of use for more than six weeks, drain and rinse the reversal-bath processor tank and replenisher storage tanks. To remove fungus or algae, scrub the tank with a stiff-bristle brush, using a 30 to 50 mL/L sodium hypochlorite solution (household bleach).

Rinse the tank thoroughly with water to remove all traces of the hypochlorite solution. Do not use a sodium hypochlorite solution in the wash tank that follows the fixer. Use a 5- to 25-micrometre (or finer) filter for your water supply.

12-2 Using KODAK Chemicals, Process E-6 • Z-119 Sixth Edition