Is this a processing problem, or a camera problem?

[Adric83]

Hi all.

I've been getting some rolls of film back that I've been shooting with my new M3, and I've been noticing in quite a few, that in certain grey areas of shots, there are lots of little white blobs.

I am wondering if this is something wrong with the processing or with the camera, hoping it's the processing because then I can just not take it to that place to get developed any more.

Here is a shot I'm talking about and you can notice what looks like a whole lot of snowflakes on the image, running from the dog, up along the tile floor to the top of the frame.
(The dots are not on the actual tile floor)

Any insight is appreciated.

- Bill

 

[SamStewart]

hiya Bill, hope you're enjoying that camera!
That looks like a processing error to me. I get something similar that a lot when I dont wash my film long enough.

 

[Spyro]

Have a look at the negative against some light, it might simply be that it needs a clean.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

What film are you using?
Have you some more examples of the problem?
Where are you taking it?
Do you know what chemicals and processing they're using?

 

[Ronald M]

Quit reusing film fix on new film. The old silver precipitates out and accumulates on the bottom of the bottle which is easily seen if the bottle is glass.

This sticks tenaciously to the next film emulsion and does not wash off. You can wipe it off if wet risking scratches, but once dry, you are done for. Base side can be rewetted.

Cotton is the best home filter. Personally I use new fix and use up the old on test prints or film.

I have water and air filters and do a final cotton filter on wash water before putting it in storage jugs.

I strongly suggest you filter everything and dry film in a clean place.
Then cut the film up and store as soon as dry. 99% of these problems go away

 

[Adric83]

Ah okay.

I'm shooting on Tri-X 400, I don't have any more scanned examples of the issue, but I do have some other negatives showing similar stuff, and holding them up it looks like there's specks ON the negs, is there any way to wash/clean the negatives once they've been processed and given back to me?

I'm not developing myself (yet), I've been taking it to Michael's Camera in Melbourne, not sure what process or chemicals they're using, if this is more than a once off roll I will probably look for another lab to do developing before I set myself up to do it.

Thanks for all the tips and leads everyone.

- Bill

 

[ohoyer]

Ah okay.

I'm shooting on Tri-X 400, I don't have any more scanned examples of the issue, but I do have some other negatives showing similar stuff, and holding them up it looks like there's specks ON the negs, is there any way to wash/clean the negatives once they've been processed and given back to me?

I'm not developing myself (yet), I've been taking it to Michael's Camera in Melbourne, not sure what process or chemicals they're using, if this is more than a once off roll I will probably look for another lab to do developing before I set myself up to do it.

Thanks for all the tips and leads everyone.

- Bill

Other possible reason (also when developing at home)

- Water too hard or too much iron in it
- Powder developer like D76 not fully diluted, so Parts of it stick to the gelatin layer

When at a professional lab, maybe they overuse their chemicals, or haven't cleaned their Equipment too often?
When its a recurring problem with this lab and other films, try another lab for comparison.

 

[payasam]

I can't see <grumble> what the dog looks like.

 

[Adric83]

I'll re-post the dog picture, perhaps in another section, the shot actually turned out well and the expression of happy boredom on the dogs face is good, I just shrank the image too much and compressed the quality to get the spotty issue seen.

- Bill

 

[Spyro]

To clean your negative, start simple: just fog it with your breath and then use a microfibre cloth. There are special products for cleaning negs that galleries and museums use but I doubt if you'll need it. I think (and somebody please correct me if I'm wrong) that worse comes to worse you can re-wash your negs but I've never needed to do this.

I've been taking it to Michael's Camera in Melbourne...

Bill, read this:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/msm/discuss/72157623765428342/

 

[Adric83]

Eeeep, had no idea there was such a reputation floating around out there!
Guess I might stick to enjoying the camera museum on the second floor...

 

[Adric83]

Sort of hijacking my own thread here, but does anyone know of good labs in Melbourne, since I'm in the market for a new place to take my film.

CBD or not too far out would be a help.

- Bill

 

[Leigh Youdale]

Sort of hijacking my own thread here, but does anyone know of good labs in Melbourne, since I'm in the market for a new place to take my film.
CBD or not too far out would be a help.
- Bill

This is going to sound too far out but I'd suggest you contact Horsham Colour (yes, they're in Horsham) and make some enquiries. 03-5381 5800. Talk to Michael or the lab manager if he's out.
They are a professional lab (a real one - not just in name) and do a lot of work for Melbourne pro's. They also were the lab chosen to participate in the Travelling Bessa III project and I was very pleased with the scans and 8x8 and 8x10 prints they returned to me. They operate a Prepaid Processing and Proofing service for 35mm and 120/220 films.
I only had colour work done by them but their charge sheet lists C41 processing and B&W using TMax chemistry.

 

[shyoon]

Vanbar could be an option as well. I've never had film processed there, but I have dealt with them before. They're located in Carlton.