No Images.. What did I do wrong?

[bwcolor]

Today, I shot two rolls of 120 through my Mamiya 7ii. Lens cap in pocket and curtain open. One roll was Fuji Acros and the other Arista EDU Ultra 100. I presoaked for three minutes in water. Rodinal 8ml in distilled water for one hour, with agitation first minute. The only thing that I did differently this time was that I added 1teaspoon Ascorbic Acid and 1/4teaspoon of Borate to the developer. Fixed for fifteen minutes and Hypo Eliminator. Upon washing, I noted that I had one clear and one blue plastic base with no image, no numbers... nothing. I previously used the Ascorbic Acid and Borate when using XTOL/Rodinal Stand development. For those that haven't shot the Arista.. it does have a blue base.

 

[ChrisN]

Could your initial pre-soak been with your fixer?

Yep, that usually does it quite well. 🙁 (Ask me how I know. 🙂)

 

[bwcolor]

The original presoak was from running tap water. At that point I had the Rodinal/Water mixed, but nothing else had been opened. Lots of blue water when pouring out the water, but that is normal for the EDU Ultra. I've only developed two other rolls, but they produced the same color.

I'm assuming that no numbers or lettering on the film means that this was a problem in developing and not with the camera.

 

[sevo]

Adding ascorbic acid is tricky, as you may drop the pH to the point where the entire developer inactivates. A slight slip with the formula might mean too much acid and not enough buffer, and use up the whole alkaline buffer in the Rodinal dilution. I'd use precision scales, a formula with detailed weights and a pH-meter. Or sodium ascorbate...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Adding ascorbic acid is tricky, as you may drop the pH to the point where the entire developer inactivates. A slight slip with the formula might mean too much acid and not enough buffer, and use up the whole alkaline buffer in the Rodinal dilution. I'd use precision scales, a formula with detailed weights and a pH-meter. Or sodium ascorbate...

That's my suspicion. But then, I'm no fan of trick developers or of Rodinal.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I've gotto agree with sevo, if the film was clear after processing, either it was fixed before developer was added (something most of us have done at least once) or the developer was deactivated in some way.

 

[Freakscene]

You should not add ascorbic acid, you should add sodium ascorbate. I wouldn't call it a trick - I think it works well, but you need to understand why you're doing it, how it works and what you may achieve. Adding ascorbic acid to dilute Rodinal is almost a perfect formula for killing it.

Marty

 

[bwcolor]

OK, that is what I changed in my routine, so it must be the culprit. Live and learn.

What is it that makes sodium ascorbate a better choice?

Thanks..

 

[hans voralberg]

OK, that is what I changed in my routine, so it must be the culprit. Live and learn.

What is it that makes sodium ascorbate a better choice?

Thanks..

I found this: http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Rodinal/rodinal.html

Extract: "Please note: you should add sodium ascorbate, not ascorbic acid, because ascorbic acid will radically reduce the alkalinity of the Rodinal solution"

 

[bwcolor]

Thanks for the link. Interesting.

I think that I'll use XTOL for my next couple of rolls. I feel snake bit. Of course, I was also the snake.