Help With a Developing Blunder Please

[foto_fool]

I was developing film last night when a minor crisis arose. I had a roll of Bregger 200 in 0.5% PhotoFlo at the time that sat for maybe an hour.

The clear areas in the dried film are very milky and only semi-translucent.

Someone stop me before I start willy-nilly soaking the film in one thing and another. Anyone else had this experience? Is there a fix? TIA

 

[Limpovitj]

The fix is fixer. It sounds like the film isn't fixed enough (milky areas).
Just fix it again.

 

[nikon_sam]

I haven't done that but have had to re-fix because of weak fixer after the film had dried...
I would just try rinsing it again and then back to the photo-flo...
If the base is fairly clear they should still print...

 

[nikon_sam]

Good Point!!!

Good Point!!!

The fix is fixer. It sounds like the film isn't fixed enough (milky areas).
Just fix it again.

Hadn't thought of that...:bang:

 

[thetooth]

you should only leave your film in diluted photo flo for 30 seconds .

 

[foto_fool]

Back in fresh fixer did the trick.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Glad to hear about a happy ending!

BTW, the directions I read about Photoflo said to soak film in it for 1 minute. Is it really that bad?

 

[titrisol]

Glad to hear about a happy ending!

BTW, the directions I read about Photoflo said to soak film in it for 1 minute. Is it really that bad?

I don;t know for sure, my guess is that is not that bad if used at 1 drop in 500ml (not 1+200) since it only helps breaking surface tension to make the water flow and not create doplets.
I have left films for 10-15 minutes in photflo no harm done.

HOWEVER.. there could be cases of emulsion delamination or something siilaar. Any victims please speak up

 

[rich815]

Glad to hear about a happy ending!

BTW, the directions I read about Photoflo said to soak film in it for 1 minute. Is it really that bad?

I mix the Photoflo per directions, put it in one of those cheap plant mister bottles, then hang the negs after the final wash and mist both sides of the neg with the plant mister bottle from top to bottom. Works like a charm.

 

[foto_fool]

Rich I like your idea about the spray bottle.

While I hope I never have to walk away from a roll in process, sometimes it is bound to happen. Better in PhotoFlo than in developer or fixer! The Bregger emulsion on this roll doesn't appear to have suffered anything catastrophic - maybe a little granier than I expect from this film.

 

[nikon_sam]

Even if left in plain water the emulsion can really soften...be very careful handling it if this happens...
The spray bottle is a neat idea...never heard or thought of that...
I have worked with weak fixer though...

 

[rich815]

Even if left in plain water the emulsion can really soften...be very careful handling it if this happens...
The spray bottle is a neat idea...never heard or thought of that...
I have worked with weak fixer though...

Yeah, I only started doing this a few months ago when I heard about it, I think from these forums. Not only very economical in terms of how much is used but I was always worried that I was not washing out the stainless steel cans enough after the photoflo step and might cause foaming or problems with the next development done. This solves that as the Photoflo now never touches the reels or the canisters anymore.

I would recommend a decent mister though, not one of those $1 cheapo ones, as you want to ensure a nice even and fine mist and not have it sputter and spray in bubbly spurts. This way you lay a nice even mist on the hanging neg strip and you can watch the water droplets literally slide down and off the bottom as you spray. Do watch out for inhalation though. Likely not a severe health issue but who wants to breath photoflo mist? I do it hung in my shower stall, spray, turn on the exhaust fan as I leave the room and close the bathroom door. A few moments later all mist has settled and I go back in, if need be.

 

[titrisol]

Droppers are also ideal for PhotoFlo

Rich I like your idea about the spray bottle.

While I hope I never have to walk away from a roll in process, sometimes it is bound to happen. Better in PhotoFlo than in developer or fixer! The Bregger emulsion on this roll doesn't appear to have suffered anything catastrophic - maybe a little granier than I expect from this film.