Help Needed - Rolleiflex Negative Problem

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david.elliott

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Need some help figuring out what is going on with my latest roll of film.

I just bought a rolleinar 1 from KEH and ran a test roll of tx400 through my rolleiflex to try it out. I used an EI of ~1250 and developed in diafine.

This is the first roll that I have noticed this problem in. Not sure if something went wrong in developing? Or if there is a problem with the camera itself? I don't have any more 120 film left to try another roll (but I have some on order from freestyle).

As you can see in the photo below, there is a vertical line, very defined and straight, that appears to have affected the exposure or something. It is on every single photo in the exact same place. It runs the length of the roll.

You can see the line most clearly at the bottom of the photo.

Any idea what is going on?

ProblemScan.jpg


Thanks for your help.
 
Strange.

I don't think it is the camera. Flare does not make distinct lines. Also fogging reduces contrast, but this looks like constant contrast, just denser.

You did not pour about 2/3" of developer in the tank. Stop. Then add more developer to fill it. Since you are pushing this film, sitting the bottom of the film in developer and then filling the tank may cause this line. Perhaps if you use a prewash, you only prewashed the bottom of the film?

To be honest, this is the first time I have seen this kind of mark. Does the density change happen between frames?
 
Two more thoughts.

1 - It is not a scanning issue because I can see the line on the negs.
2 - Also, I dont see how it could possibly be the rolleinar.

It is very difficult to tell if the line is between frames. I scanned a blank part from the end of the roll and it looks like it is.

I did not do any prewashing.

I used roughly 500mL of every fluid. So, diafine A, B, water, fixer...

I only have a 300mL graduated cylinder so I fill it, dump it in. Then fill it again to about 200 and dump it in. The gap is certainly under 10 seconds. Usually while the first batch is still swishing down into the tank, the second batch of fluid is going in.

Do you think that is the problem? I wouldn't have expected such a defined line because I am sure that I do not give the developer time to settle before putting in the second bit.

Also, if it is a contrast issue, then I am totally confused. Well, I am totally confused anyway obviously. Diafine develops to completion and does not allow for contrast control. I let Diafine A and B each sit in the tank for five minutes and not just the minimum three.
 
Yes, it is uneven development. You need to cover your film to the top from the start. Get a larger container and measure out your developer with your graduated cylinder. Then pour the entire amount in.

Swishing the developer around is not enough. It first needs to be absorbed into the emulsion--this is being done where the film is sitting in the developer, but not were the developer is simply running off. Pushing processing your film is only accentuating this difference.
 
Finder said:
Yes, it is uneven development. You need to cover your film to the top from the start. Get a larger container and measure out your developer with your graduated cylinder. Then pour the entire amount in.

Swishing the developer around is not enough. It first needs to be absorbed into the emulsion--this is being done where the film is sitting in the developer, but not were the developer is simply running off. Pushing processing your film is only accentuating this difference.
Click to expand...

Will do that in future. Curious as to why I only got uneven development on this roll, but not on any of the prior dozen rolls. Never changed my developing procedures. Oh well.

As to the swishing, I should probably clarify. By swishing, I meant that the liquid was poured into the patterson tank, at which point it kind of swishes down to the film (like water going down a toilet bowl). I didn't do any physical swishing myself. I poured it in, agitated gently for the first five seconds and then the same every minute for five minutes - pursuant to the instructions on the box.
 
I don't know what the uneven density is, but I overcame some uneven density problems in 120 by just adding enough developer to cover the reel, in my case that means 400ml. This allows the developer to move, even with gentle agitation.

Also, I think you should agitate for the first t 30 seconds continuously.
 
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