Issues with developing my first rolls

[pismo923]

Yesterday I developed my first two rolls of film and ran into a couple of problems with both rolls. One of the problems is streaking marks on the film after drying. I am using Photoflo at the end of the wash and my fingers as a squeegee. The second roll was better , probably because I extended the wash time. I know that there is an active thread here on the subject so I will read it carefully and hopefully find a solution.

The second problem is uneven development of some of frames. I am pretty sure the problem resulted from not have the film properly on the reel and obviously those frames not spaced apart (overlapped) would be partially developed or not developed at all. I am using a cheap steel reel ( yes I know buy a Hewes) but I did not seem to have any problems loading the film when I was doing my practice runs. Is there a trick to loading these reels or am I just getting what I paid for 🙂 I am considering returning the reel and getting a Patterson reel and tank. Will this make my life easier or do I go straight to Hewes?

On the plus side, I had a blast with the whole process and two bad rolls are not going to deter me. I have seen some amazing work posted here and it really has sparked an interest in B/W. Unfortunately it has also sparked some GAS. By the way, the films were Delta 400 and HP5 developed (well partially developed 😀 ) in Ilfosol 3.

 

[paulfish4570]

I haven't been in this game long, but I do know what works for me on photoflo: don't squeegee; just go ahead and hang up your film.
If you do use your fingers, make sure you have washed your hands in Dawn or other dish-washing liquid so your fingers are oil free ...

 

[fidget]

I gave up using a squeegee or using my fingers. I too just hang it wet.
Good on you using a steel reel! I could just not get on with mine. I use the Paterson tanks with the white nylon reels that you "feed" the film into.


Dave..

 

[mfogiel]

Make sure the last rinse is with photo flo in demineralized water, and you can also add some denaturated alcohol to it. As you hang the films, pour that last rinse liquid over the films. then pull the bottom of the strips away from vertical for a minute, so that the liquid slips away along the edges. Do not squeege with anything. And buy Hewes reels and be done with it. It took me 2 years to understand this, but I am glad I finally did.

 

[Ronald M]

No guarantee of clean with a squgee of any kind and sooner or later you will scratch a film end to end.

Further there can be a bit of emulsion or bebris stucj to the film which will catch in the "device" and make an end to end mark.

Photoflow at proper dilution and let the film drip dry in a space with no dust. I use a portable air cleaner myself.

Gllass boottles can be cleaned. Get a set for all chems and do not inter mix chems. Wash and drain.

Clean Clean & clean are the three most important things. Keep tanks sealed in plastic when not in use. Keep the room clean. Keep the bottles clean. Do not reuse film fix. Use it up on paper. Silver participates out and stickes to the next film and is impossible to remove after drying and hard before. This is one thing that can cause squeegees to pick up debris and scratch.

Then you just adjust your developing time to get the proper contrast in the negs

One shot developers are best for home use. I use D76 1:1 Many like Xtol.