help me I got STREAKS on my film.

[lubitel]

I have developed 5 films in the past 3 months. The first one I cooked a little bit in water which was too warm, the 2nd and 3rd were fine, the 4th film came out kind of "muddy" with some kind of streaks coming down from each hole. I thought it had something to do with the developer which was may be a bit too old, so I mixed a new one. The 5th film came out exactly the same. I dont know if these streaks are from chemicals or some kind of light leaks? do i need a new developement tank? Has anybody had this problem?

thank you

here are some shots that came from this film

 

[Dfin]

Lubital, my first guess would be light leaking into film cassette or camera. Another cause could be how you have loaded the film onto the film spiral, possible overlapping the film, causing incomplete development/ streaking, from sprocket holes.

 

[Ash]

It's either a very even light leak (from the cassette), or dodgy agitation.

I think I found the same thing when I left a film developing on the surface which has a tumble-dryer underneath. The constant vibrations caused a similar effect.

 

[lubitel]

Thanks all, the film was loaded correctly, i could see that after taking it out.

mango, I didnt quite understand you. "Uneven distribution of fresh developer"? Do I need to mix it more or shake before developing? Agitating regime? I turn the tank upside down every 3 seconds.

ash, whats dodgy agitation? do you think I do it too often or somehow not "smooth" enough?

 

[Ash]

Dodgy is layman's term for "i'm not sure why, but that definitely aint right" 🙂

Well I've found that if I agitate too often it'll be uneven. I mix the developer in a cylinder, and let it stand for a few moments, then pour it into the tank.
I've found no problems with the method of rotating the tank in my hand and tapping the sides and tapping it on the surface (every 30 seconds or every minute, depending on dilution). This means the developer is moving around, and at the same time avoiding air bubbles.

Then again, I always have just over the recommended liquid level (so rather than 375ml, I mix to 400ml) just so the top of the film is definitely fully submerged.

 

[lubitel]

I use 500ml, is that too much? So what should I do differently next time? should I try agitating every 2 seconds? I'll mix the solution before using and let it stand a few minutes. may be that will help.

 

[AGN]

If you are agitating every two seconds, that is way to much. Ten seconds each minute will get you started. This is about 4 inversions.
Best, Art

 

[oscroft]

Then again, I always have just over the recommended liquid level (so rather than 375ml, I mix to 400ml) just so the top of the film is definitely fully submerged.

I always do that too - I reckon that having the film dunked a bit deeper in developer will minimise any possible surface problems (and since I've been doing it, I haven't seen a single elephant on the track 😉 )

should I try agitating every 2 seconds?

I agitate for 10 seconds every minute (I'm currently using Rodinal 1+25 or 1+50, but I've always used the same 10 second agitation with other developers).

 

[Ash]

You should agitate the first fifteen seconds, and then every thirty seconds for ten seconds

That was how I was taught in college. The basic development time was about 3mins to 5mins for most films with their stock chemicals. So very short.

I usually have development times about 10-30 minutes, either to push a film, or because I dilute my generic dev or rodinal. Anything over 10mins I agitate every minute.

You shouldn't be agitating much more often.

 

[Xmas]

I frequently forget to agitate more frequently than 5m or so, multiple tanks, 1:100 Rodinal.

I do get rebate problems with roll film, but they dont incur into image yet...

I only notice very occassional drying marks, if I dont add enough wetting agent to final wash.

Noel

 

[lubitel]

okay sounds like 3 seconds is way too often, but thats what the photographer who sold me this ultrafin plus told me to do. I will try 10 sec rhytm.

thanks all.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I
I think I found the same thing when I left a film developing on the surface which has a tumble-dryer underneath.

Hmmm. (and ten characters)

 

[lubitel]

I brought my film to a local photographer, he said he thinks its a problem with a fixer. either too old or it wasnt long enough in there. He put a piece of film in the fixer and it looks a lot better. how many minutes do you fix your film?