Spots on negatives

[MKY]

I have been getting these spots consistently on my negatives.

Example: https://imgur.com/a/LOFCL
(The spots on the lady's coat.)

I use a AP 2 reels tank, and the bubbles/spots are mainly found in the shadows/dark areas on the top reel and less often on the bottom.
The only time I didn't get any spots was following Christopher Crawford's intense agitation, but I can't seem to replicate it again.
Could it be the plastic tank that is giving me trouble? I always tap the tank on the counter to dislodge any bubbles after each agitation.

 

[Mackinaw]

What type of film? Developer, etc.

Jim B.

 

[MKY]

Tmax400 in hc-110, 20°C. Agitate consistently first 30s then every 30s for 5s. Sometimes I wash off the purple dye before developing.

 

[sepiareverb]

Are they visible on the dry films? Wondering if you're agitating enough in the fix?

 

[BLKRCAT]

Do you use photoflo?

I would look at your development and cleanup routine to see if there is any contamination.

 

[charjohncarter]

Are they visible on the dry films? Wondering if you're agitating enough in the fix?

Or are there particles (precipitates) in your fix. It happened to me.

 

[leicapixie]

I had white spots on film.
Thought it was emulsion holes!
Check your fixer, for small deposits on sides of container!
I now filter(coffee filters) all solutions before use.
I throw away containers once solutions need replacement.
In short new stuff everywhere.
Don't over use the fixer..
I also use 2 Fixer baths as described by Ilford Rapid Fixer.
I prefer Ilford as smell of Kodak bothers me.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Guys, what I see is large areas of uneven developing on the woman's coat. Not spots from fixer.

MKY: You're not agitating enough during developing. I don't know anything about the AP tanks, never heard of them. I've used Patersons in the past.

With Patersons, you have to be careful not to overfill them with developer. If you do, the developer cannot move much when you agitate, which can give the issues you are seeing. Most plastic tanks, like the Paterson tanks, have a large funnel built in that lets you fill them fast. Some people make the mistake of putting in enough developer to fill the tank all the way, submerging the funnel. Don't do that! You just need a little more than it takes to completely cover the reels. Most tanks have the amount of developer to use printed on them somewhere. Paterson's do on the bottom. Use the quantity the tank's instructions tell you, and no more. That air space is needed to get proper agitation!

 

[Michael Markey]

That`s a useful tip ,Chris.
I tend to fill mine until I can see the developer at the top of the funnel .

Maybe where I`m going wrong.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

That`s a useful tip ,Chris.
I tend to fill mine until I can see the developer at the top of the funnel .

Maybe where I`m going wrong.

When filled to the right level, the developer will be about where the hole in the bottom of the funnel is, if I'm remembering it right. Been years since I used plastic tanks. If you're filling up to the top of the funnel, you'll have insufficient agitation, and wasting developer, since you're using more than needed.

 

[Michael Markey]

Thanks Chris ...

 

[BLKRCAT]

When filled to the right level, the developer will be about where the hole in the bottom of the funnel is, if I'm remembering it right. Been years since I used plastic tanks. If you're filling up to the top of the funnel, you'll have insufficient agitation, and wasting developer, since you're using more than needed.

It actually says on the bottom of the tank how much developer you need per format.

 

[newsgrunt]

I'm also curious about photo flo and if your reels or tank had any residual flo left behind if you put some drops in the tank with reels and film in it. doesn't really look like agitation issues to me. are you pre soaking at all ? I used to pre soak but found no need with any format. how are you drying your film ?

 

[Steve M.]

Dried water stains. Use Photoflo next time.

Never put Photoflo in the tank if you can avoid it. Unspool the film, hold one end, and let it un spool into a cup w/ Photoflo in it. Then take the film and whip it like a, well, like a whip several times to get off excess water. Drying time will be drastically refused. The less time liquid sets on the film, the less risk of drying spots.

 

[BLKRCAT]

I photoflo in my tank all the time. Just make sure to do a good job rinsing it away.

 

[MKY]

I don't use Photoflo. The surface of the negatives are clean, no water marks. I tried rewashing and fixing again and it is the same. I overfill it by 50ml (700ml) maybe that's why I am getting these spots. I usually pre-soak Tmax400 to get rid of the purple dye.