Solving a stand developing mystery with mysteriously old KodakGold

[Jhausler]

I thought i'd share some experiences stand developing some old kodak gold in rodinal. My father in law sent me about 6 rolls after cleaning up his office, so i thought i would have some fun.

At first I did a semi stand for 60 minutes. I agitated for 10 seconds initially and then did 1 inversion at 30 minutes. Every time I got uneven development coming from the sprocket holes.

What I found odd about this is that using a fresh b&w film like hp5+ with the same method, i never got this effect. I always did with the old kodakgold.

After watching Ted Forbes do a video on stand dev, i followed his queue and agitated every minute for the first 5min. Then i let stand for 55min.

Success!

While there does appear to be some streaking, it's not over the top like before. I'll probably try this method next time i stand dev fresh b&w film.

If anyone is getting sprocket streaks with stand dev, try normal agitation for 5 minutes and see if it helps. Good luck!

 

[Sid836]

In long stand development always use more developer solution than required so that the surface of the solution in the tank is as far possible from the topmost of the film in it. For example, if it is to use 250ml of solution, increase it to 350 or 400. Also presoaking helps a lot especially with old films with "dried" emulsions or films that have no wetting agents in their emulsions at all.

 

[Jhausler]

Good advice. I always use 350ml when only 300ml is needed and pre-rinse for about a minute.