135 HP5+ - strange spots - ???

Hello ,

I have just developed the HP5+ for the first timeo (used FP4+, Delta 400, TMax400, etc before, but 120 format only!) and after checking the negatives - they have about 5 - 10 small sharp white spots per frame, randomly distributed. Each of this strange spots has a VERY tiny black point in the middle - nearly invisible with a bare eye - I had to take a loupe to confirm this.

My development:

- Jobo 2521, inversion agitation, 500ml of chmicals
- prewash 4 minutes, tap water
- 12 minutes in Pyrocat HD 1:1:100, agitation at the beginning and than at 4, 8 minute
- stop - tap water
- fixer: Ilford Fixer 1:4 (freshly mixed)
- water wash (slowly running tap water - 5 min)
- Kodak Hypo
- water wash (slowly running tap water - 5 min)
- Photo Flo

The procedure is the same I have used before, I have just changed to continuos water exchange (got the JOBO hose). All chemicals were tempered to about 20 - 21 deg. Celsius, the tap water (warm day) was at 19 - 20 deg.

what did I do wrong? Is this some kind of "no-no' combination?

It may be tiny particles of iron from your water supply, if these get into dev, stop (or rinse) and then fixer they react with the thiosulphate to form a bleach, the result is a white spot with a black middle where the iron is or sometimes was.

I've seen this happen a couple of times.

Ian

Ian Grant said:

It may be tiny particles of iron from your water supply, if these get into dev, stop (or rinse) and then fixer they react with the thiosulphate to form a bleach, the result is a white spot with a black middle where the iron is or sometimes was.

I've seen this happen a couple of times.

Ian

Click to expand...

This explanation certainly better explains the appearance of the spots than any I've encountered. But why only Pyrocat and HP5? I experienced the problem every time with that combination (many tries), but not with other films in Pyrocat (a few tries) and never with any other film in any other developer.

Do they look like this in the print?? I've not gotten these with HP5+ and pyrocat roll film but I do with FOMA 100 in Pyrocat. Take a look at the top. The mottling is there in the top left and right corners.

Andrew Moxom said:

Do they look like this in the print?? I've not gotten these with HP5+ and pyrocat roll film but I do with FOMA 100 in Pyrocat. Take a look at the top. The mottling is there in the top left and right corners.

Click to expand...

It's a bit hard to tell with the low res scan. For me they print as tiny, pin-prick sized black spots (35mm film enlarged about 6x). It's only on examination in the enlarger with a grain focuser that the peculiar shape is evident.

Here's a bit close view.. Again, it's low res, but this does show what I am talking about.

Andrew Moxom said:

Here's a bit close view.. Again, it's low res, but this does show what I am talking about.

Click to expand...

Still hard to tell. My best guess is those are something different.

okay, just checking as that's the only film I get these with and coincidentally with Pyrocat HD. HC110 and this film does not have the same problem.