What did I do!? Problem developing FP4+

[TimSmith-Laing]

Hi all,

I'm catching up on a backlog of about 4 years worth of film, and I realise that something I've previously put down to cheap film may well be a problem with my developing technique: big big grain / strange speckling. As you can see from the attachments (1 full size, 2 detail crops), it's pretty bad.

I've had similar problems before, but only with Fomapan 200 downrated to 125. I assumed then that I should not try and save money on film, and that it was Foma's fault. Big apologies Foma and Foma fans! It looks like I was wrong.

What gets me here is that this is FP4+ in 6x6 ... which I've previously experienced to be absolutely gorgeous and fine-grained. Here not so much. So, what am I doing wrong?

This was Ilfotec DD-X 1:4, 10 mins @ 20C (EI 125). Continuous agitation 1 min; 10 secs every minute thereafter. Paterson tank.

Thoughts?

I've also been doing some HP5 in DD-X, and I've done a few in Rodinal. Am scanning those .... we shall see if they're as bad.

 

[sevo]

That does look like reticulation or some other form of physical emulsion damage. Reticulation can be caused by sudden changes in temperature, hot water (above 40°C), strong acids or alkalines (undiluted stop, fixer or hypo clearer). Microbial emulsion damage can be caused by excessive washing/delayed drying (film washed for more than half a hour or not dried within six). Crystallisation will happen if you omit washing. Laundry detergents may contain enzymes that will destroy gelatin, and can also be a issue if you process and dry your film in the laundry room.

 

[sevo]

Oh, and if it is a four year backlog: How was the film stored? Microbes may eat into damp film even before processing...

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Hi Sevo, thanks for your reply. It does indeed look like physical damage to the emulsion. For storage, we've just moved from a fairly damp house - but nothing extreme. And all the films were boxed up and in a dry drawer.

For chemical damage, they weren't exposed to hot/cold water, or undiluted things. Is there any chance excessive wetting agent could do this?

The only other thing I can think of is over-agitation or similar. I slowly invert the tank about 6 times (10 secs) every min during development ...

 

[ChrisLivsey]

That looks very much like damage from the backing paper, I would suspect the high humidity storage conditions. There are good reasons a sealed foil is used for fresh film but it can still happen:
This is film, 120, damaged in storage and OOD as well HP5+:

 

[Larry H-L]

Moisture damage, IMHO.

 

[newsgrunt]

looks like backing paper transfer and some fungus.

 

[TimSmith-Laing]

Aha ... well, I suppose that's a relief really. We've just moved to a nice, dry flat ...

 

[julio1fer]

Concur on backing paper / humidity / emulsion diagnostic. I had exactly the same problem with very old SFX-200. It is best to develop ASAP after exposure.

That is way too much grain to be caused by your developer or technique, and it does not look like grain anyway.

As an aside, agitation would not have such a big influence on grain with any film. You can get very fine grain with continuous agitation.

 

[Trius]

Any long term humidity can cause this.