Whateverist
Well-known
Hey all,
I just processed a roll of HP5+ in Kodak T-MAX 1+4. It's the first time I've developed HP5+ but the rest of the process (developer, fixer, tank) has worked fine so far.
When I scanned the film, a number of shots looked like this:
(note the white edges)
What could cause this? Could the film have been bunched up on the reel? Or is this an in-camera issue? Later shots in the roll looked fine.
I just processed a roll of HP5+ in Kodak T-MAX 1+4. It's the first time I've developed HP5+ but the rest of the process (developer, fixer, tank) has worked fine so far.
When I scanned the film, a number of shots looked like this:
(note the white edges)
What could cause this? Could the film have been bunched up on the reel? Or is this an in-camera issue? Later shots in the roll looked fine.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
In-camera, or it wouldn't be so neatly at the edges. Format?
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
jim_jm
Well-known
How do the negatives look? Do they appear darker around the edges?
Reason I ask is I used to have a scanner that would produce similar results occasionally. Very gradual lightening towards the edges, especially noticeable in the dark areas like this.
Reason I ask is I used to have a scanner that would produce similar results occasionally. Very gradual lightening towards the edges, especially noticeable in the dark areas like this.
mfogiel
Veteran
Could be old foam at the back of the camera, if this one has a traditional swing back. These shots were probably more exposed than others because you left the film in the camera for some time with these frames facing the back door.
Whateverist
Well-known
The camera is a bottom-loader. 35mm. The roll wasn't in the camera for more than a day. These shots have a darker edge to the negative as well.
mfogiel
Veteran
In that case it could be lack of agitation, but it would show on the entire roll.
kxl
Social Documentary
Could be a developer distribution issue affecting only part of the roll, especially during agitation/inversion?
pirx70
Member
Hello OP,
Do the blackened frame edges extend to the perforation area? If so, it's likely the camera issue, which can be eliminated by checking with a strong light source (LED) placed inside the camera and in a dark room (shutter opened). Otherwise, I'd also check the tank for lightproofness. Never have had such an artefact due to development myself (bar the typical bromide drag), but if your agitation regime was far from standard, it may be the only explanation if not the camera (also, maybe whether the film was wound evenly on the tank spool, i.e. if the developer wasn't trapped where the extra-black edges are)
Do the blackened frame edges extend to the perforation area? If so, it's likely the camera issue, which can be eliminated by checking with a strong light source (LED) placed inside the camera and in a dark room (shutter opened). Otherwise, I'd also check the tank for lightproofness. Never have had such an artefact due to development myself (bar the typical bromide drag), but if your agitation regime was far from standard, it may be the only explanation if not the camera (also, maybe whether the film was wound evenly on the tank spool, i.e. if the developer wasn't trapped where the extra-black edges are)
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I've had this happen a number of times. Its uneven development caused by not agitating vigorously enough. It happened to me every time I have tried using gentle agitation to reduce grain. I gave up that quest because I always got this problem with overdeveloped edges. Agitate more forcefully and it'll go away. Here's a video showing how I do it:
https://youtu.be/tOUUO3dDLqA
https://youtu.be/tOUUO3dDLqA
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Well, if the darkness extends into the perforation zone, it could be either light leak or wierd development, right?
Looks like light leak to me.
Does the next negative on the roll have similar dark edges? Similarly, do the affected negatives occur together on the roll, or are they scattered among normal looking negatives?
Looks like light leak to me.
Does the next negative on the roll have similar dark edges? Similarly, do the affected negatives occur together on the roll, or are they scattered among normal looking negatives?
pirx70
Member
Hi rfaspen,
If there's been no previous exposure to the perforated zone (i.e. no light spilled in-camera to the perforated zone), there is nothing to develop there, hence if it is dark, it can only be dark if it's been exposed to light before (if you cover your lens and press the shutter, the frame will be transparent once fixed regardless of the development).
Regards,
pirx70
If there's been no previous exposure to the perforated zone (i.e. no light spilled in-camera to the perforated zone), there is nothing to develop there, hence if it is dark, it can only be dark if it's been exposed to light before (if you cover your lens and press the shutter, the frame will be transparent once fixed regardless of the development).
Regards,
pirx70
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
There are vanes extending from the perforation - that supports the theory of insufficient agitation. Are the negatives weak? The contrast seems to be rather low, and the shadow details are missing, so there probably is some additional underdevelopment involved.
x-ray
Veteran
Correct. Lack of agitation results in bromide drag. It causes distinct uneven streaks extending from the upper sprocket holes downward. Excessive agitation causes a buildup of density along the edges of the film.
I don't believe this is process related or the entire rl wod be effected. It looks like a light leal either in the camera or cassette. Was the cassette put in the camera in direct bright sun? Does the fog extend from within the normally clear edge of the film into the image or is it only in the image frame?
It would help to see a photo of the film both bad and good frames.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I've had it twice: once it was the camera, and the other was with Rodinal (and not agitating enough, but my other developer has been fine with limited [the same] agitation).
Whateverist
Well-known
I'll develop rolls from this camera and a known good one, that way I can at least narrow down the possible causes. I'll also try to get a shot of the negs tonight.