Bronica S2A--possible light leak??

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

Hey everyone--

I just developed a roll of film that I shot through my s2a. There seems to be a light leak on most of the photos--but I'm not entirely positive that it is a light leak. I've attached one photo that shows what I'm talking about.

Awhile ago, I developed a roll of film without filling the tank with enough developer and what turned out looked a lot like the edge of this photo. However, since that mess-up, I'm extremely focused when filling up the tank and know for a fact that I filled it up enough. So that can't be the issue in this case. This mark just doesn't resemble other examples of light leaks that I've seen.

This mark is consistent throughout most of the roll--it's more noticeable on the photos that are slightly underexposed. The light seals are extremely old, so I plan to replace them regardless, but I'm hoping to avoid ruining another roll of film, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Truzi · Apr 13, 2021

That looks like a chemistry problem to me, not a light leak, though I am not great at these sorts of things.

Perhaps the tank is filling too slow, giving some areas more time in the developer. Also, how many reels can your tank handle? If more than one, but you only put one in there, the reel can slide when you agitate and thus not always be fully covered. You can put (an) empty reel(s) in the tank as well, so the loaded one does not slide and hang on the center column. Some tanks have a sort of clip to hold one reel in place if that is all you are using.

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

Thanks, Truzi!
I agree that it looks like a chemistry problem. But I'm hyper-aware of filling up the tank properly. The tank only has room for one 120 roll while developing and I made sure that I could see the chemicals fill out of the top--so I know for sure there was enough. The other weird thing is, that these marks are only on some of the photos on this roll of film--not all of the photos. I've also shot other rolls very recently that did not have these marks--another reason why I'm unsure that it's a light leak. Very stumped.

MattKing · Apr 13, 2021

Welcome to Photrio.
Are the affected frames near the end of the film? If so, I would check that the film and backing paper weren't overly lose when you took them out of the camera, thus allowing light around the edge of the spool.

Truzi · Apr 13, 2021

The red/magenta cast in the water on the bottom left, and the streak that looks more "normal," makes me suspect chemistry too.

Can you post a picture of the negatives strips, including the rebate areas? It won't help me much, but will help people more knowledgeable.

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

Thanks both of you for the replies! I'm now questioning myself on the chemistry and going back through the roll. It actually looks like these marks are consistent through the whole roll, they are just less noticeable on some of the photos and almost impossible to notice on a few. I know for a fact that I filled the tank up enough though--I could see the chemicals coming out of the top of the standard Patterson tank before putting the lid on. Maybe I was just too slow?

I attached a couple of photos where the mark is less noticeable and I can upload the negative strips as well....

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

MattKing · Apr 13, 2021

Try re-scanning the negatives after turning them 180 degrees (without flipping them over) to see if the discoloured area moves on the image.
I can't see the problem on the negatives themselves. In particular, I don't see any incursion on to the rebate area, which tends to rule out loosely rolled film.
Do you have a crack in your developing tank?
Which version of the Paterson tanks do you have?

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

Doesn't seem like anything changed. And I believe it's the.. Paterson Universal tank and 2 reels-#115
It doesn't seem like there are any cracks or leaks in it and it's pretty new.

shutterfinger · Apr 13, 2021

Weak chemicals, temperature not consistent during developing, slow pour in/pour out, agitation.

stevenisr · Apr 13, 2021

Yes! Thanks, shutterfinger and everyone else for helping me troubleshoot this! Inconsistent temps must be the issue. I keep the paterson tank in the warm bath when I'm developing and the reel must have been floating above the water level. This was a great lesson for me to learn--thanks again!

Bronica S2A--possible light leak??

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