1st roll developed.

[chris00nj]

I just finished developing my first roll of film (since my class in high school) and they are hanging to dry. Most of it looks to have come out well. The only problem is that frames 6-12 are blank. I'm not sure if it was a problem at the camera (shutter not firing) or developing.

The only issue I encountered while developing was that the plastic reel was damp when I loaded the film and the film kept sticking when loading. (I used a changing bag) I finally got it loaded. If it didn't thread properly and at some point two parts of the film were touching, would you get completely blank results?

 

[Ektagraphic]

What camera may you be speaking of? Welcome back ot analog. If two parts of film were touching the whole time just those parts would come out undeveloped.

 

[tkamiya]

What do you mean by "blank"? Totally clear or totally black? If it was sticking during processing, you will get something as some processing fluid will touch the film surface. The result will be awful, but you will see something on it.

If it was totally clear, your shutter never opened. If it was totally black, it stuck and severely over exposed the film.

 

[chris00nj]

Frames 6-12 were clear. The number and film time along the edge appeared fine.

I was using a Leica IIIf. I ran the shutter about 30 times afterwards and it seemed to open and close without any issue.

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Was your lens cap removed for frames 6-12?

Wayne

 

[ozphoto]

Or severely underexposed?

 

[chris00nj]

Was your lens cap removed for frames 6-12?

Wayne

Almost certain it was as I was taking all the photos at the same time for a test roll. However, considering everything else it is a possible scenario.

 

[IloveTLRs]

I have a friend who's IIIf has similar problems: blank frames. Might be time for a CLA.

Take the lens off and fire the shutter a few dozen times - on different speeds - while holding the camera at different angles (like upside-down.) See if the shutter is really opening all the time.

Or remember to take the lens cap off

 

[SilverGlow]

What is a "CLA"?

 

[darkosaric]

What is a "CLA"?

Clean, Lubricate, Adjust.

 

[bdial]

Usually when the film sticks to itself like you describe, portions come out undeveloped, and unfixed. However, I've seen cases where the film apparently became unstuck enough for the fixer to get to it, and you end up with clear portions, as you've described.
Plastic reels especially, need to be absolutely dry to load successfully.

 

[chris00nj]

Results

The results seem to lack contrast when a no-edit, no-auto scan is made on my Epson V500.

I developed with D-76 stock at 70F. The timer was for 6:15 per instructions and I agitated every 30 seconds. I started the timer right before I began pouring in the developer, which took a few seconds. I started pouring it out after the timer finished. Was this too short?

Do I need to slightly lengthen development or is the low contrast a product of scanning (I don't the negative doesn't looks that bad)?

 

[DLawson]

Was your lens cap removed for frames 6-12?

Equivalently, are you sure you shot the frames?

This weekend, I developed a roll of film that I'd shot testing a "new" camera. The last 4 frames (of a 35mm) were clear. I scratched my head about that for a couple days, coming up with several theories. But in the end I realized that I couldn't think of anything I'd shot after the last frame that had an image. I'd had a problem with the film (torn sprocket holes) that required opening the camera, and I think I messed up the frame counter when I did that.

BTW, whenever possible, don't test out an unfamiliar camera with an unfamiliar film. I have a roll with very low contrast, and no leading explanation.

 

[chris00nj]

I think I may have a shutter problem. I developed the second roll, and frames 10-24 were completely blank. 1-9 were fine. However, I have sat with the lens off and watched the shutter fire repeatedly without issue at different speeds.

I bought the camera back in June and it worked without issue through last week. I probably used it in over 10 rolls. I had been planning to make it my "black and white" camera.

 

[ricksplace]

Please don't take this the wrong way. Go shoot a roll of film and leave your lenscap at home. If blank frames appear, you know for sure it is the camera.

 

[IloveTLRs]

When I first bought my IIIf, it had apparently been sitting in unused for a long time (maybe 20 years?) and it was bone dry. The advance would "slip" and move three or four frames before stopping, leaving frames completely white (the advance would "skip" them.) Also, in the past I've touched the shutter speed dial by accident while tripping the shutter, which can leave frames totally black or half-black.

If you can afford it, you might send it in and have it looked at.