TRI-x @ 1600 diafine...strange density issues

[mjarecki]

Hello fellow shooters,
I have come across a few frames with some strange density issues on my negs. Below are the samples. The tech specs are tri-x at 1600 developed in diafine. It seems that in the 7 rolls i processed i have only come across these lines or swirls on frames that were at the beach or have a lot of sky in them. The other frames seem normal as usual. The diafine batch i was using had run 37 rolls prior to these 7...I have never seen this before...have any of you? thanks for your time.

-mj

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

They're streaks caused by agitation issues, either too little or too much can cause it. Diafine is a two-bath developer, so it works a bit differently than normal developers. What do they recommend for agitation during development?

 

[mjarecki]

Christopher,

thanks for your response...the directions for diafine say...agitate very gently for the first 5 seconds and for 5 seconds at 1 minute intervals...the thing I find strange is I ran 7 rolls in one tank with an empty spacer reel (8 place tank) and it appears only on a few frames that show the sky and sand? Do you think I am only noticing it on these frames cause they are more open spaces?

-mj

 

[Mike Riches]

As said above . A eight reel tank is big .With that dev. top of tank and bottem are not the same. In future use smaller tank .

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Agitate more vigorously. I've used other developers where the directions advised "Gentle" agitation, and got the same streaking you got. Switching to my normal agitation style fixed it, and the pictures came out fine.

I agree with Mike on the 8 rolls tank too. I've used them before and they're hard to agitate because of their size and weight (when full of chemicals).

 

[Bingley]

I respectfully disagree with Chris about the agitation. Vigorous agitation with Diafine is not recommended. But I do agree that use of an eight-reel tank may be the source of the streaking problem reported by the OP. I use a two-reel tank, and do two gentle inversions each minute for solutions A and B (with the agitation for solution B being particularly gentle). I've had no problem with streaking, and (depending on film) get some nice tones.

 

[maxwell1295]

I use a two-reel tank, and do two gentle inversions each minute for solutions A and B (with the agitation for solution B being particularly gentle). I've had no problem with streaking, and (depending on film) get some nice tones.

This has been my experience as well...

 

[Ronald_H]

Used this combo a lot, never had streaking... but I never used more than a 2 roll tank either.

 

[mjarecki]

thanks for all the input...I think I will steer away from the 8 place. Was thinking it would save some time. I'll stick to smaller tanks. I appreciate the feedback.

-mj

 

[mjarecki]

also, thinking about this issue more as I am scanning...would agitation effect only a some frames and not others? I am looking at stuff shot indoors with blank walls and I don't see that density issue? -mj

 

[Calzone]

I use Diafine extensively in an 8 reel tank, but at this time I only load 7 reels. As the developers (Part A and Part B) get seasoned with use the viscosity changes and I have had problems with foam formations on the top roll of the tank.

Also know that my experiance has been that I get the best negatives and tonality by limiting aggitation to the least amount. I only perform two gentle-gentle inversions followed by a firm rap to dislodge any air bubbles. THe difference between three inversions per minute and two is rather profound.

From what I see it likely is a trapped air bubble that never gets released and because the surface tension is so great it travels vertically in a painterly manner.

I will also add that Diafine as it gets seasoned accentuates the midtones, and asthetically it has a sweet spot as far as tonality. Also know I use 650-800 ISO for Tri-X for denser negatives and more shadow detail.

Cal