Damaged negative

[Mats_A]

I just pulled a reel of HP5+ from the tank and hung it to dry.
After cutting it and inspecting it on light table I find that 2 negatives have damages in the form of small pieces of emulsion missing.

I did three things that I suspect could have caused this.

1. After final rinse with Photo-flo I wiped the film between my fingers.
2. I pulled the film off of the reel. I normally open the reel before removing the film.
3. I left the tape on the film folded over. Upon opening I saw that the tape was touching the film below.

I do not think I otherwise touched the film when it was wet.

Are any of these 3 a major boo-boo?

r

 

[DWThomas]

Hmmm ... #1 is dangerous (and subject to some debate). I have lately been using a small piece of chamois which I keep in a safe place and use for nothing else. I'm back to two days a week making mudpies in a ceramic studio and my fingers feel like sandpaper.

#2 -- I'm guessing this is an operation on some sort of plastic reel? If so I don't have much to draw on experience-wise. The stainless steel wire spirals I use require minimal distortion to unwind.

#3 I usually put the folded tape under the clip in my wire reels, so it can't go anywhere. That said, I would expect the tape would contact the back of the next loop of film, not the emulsion. As such I wouldn't expect it to damage the emulsion.

There is also the possibility that while the film is wet, it doesn't take much to mark the emulsion when a poorly coordinated soul like myself accidentally smacks it into some projecting obstacle. An almost imperceptible bump while hanging it up to dry could be a problem.

My 2 cents,

DaveT

 

[Rick A]

I NEVER wipe freshly processed film with anything, not even fingers. I pull my film off SS reels (unwind) all the time without damage. Very possibly a problem where anything touches film during processing. Usually that shows as undeveloped area.

Rick

 

[ic-racer]

1. After final rinse with Photo-flo I wiped the film between my fingers.

Yikes!

A hardening fixer should improve things.

 

[Mats_A]

Yikes!

A hardening fixer should improve things.

What is the difference between haedening and non hardening fixer?

r

 

[fotch]

3. Tape touching the film.

Unless you have extremely rough fingers and really squeezed, don't see being able to remove emulsion. Maybe scratches, yes.

Pulling the film off the wet reel, did you have to pull really hard? Usually, just slides off.

Or, somewhere else in the handling, something happen.

JMHO, others may have a better answer.
Good Luck

 

[Mats_A]

I most likely did bang it somewhere on hanging it to dry.
Is it possible to spot a negative also?

r

 

[RalphLambrecht]

What is the difference between haedening and non hardening fixer?

r

Unless Finland turns tropic (with the climate change, you never know) stay away from hardening fixer. I always do your #1 and 2 procedures and never had this issue. #3 or something else (manufacturing flaw in the film) could be the issue. Yes, you can spot film if the emulsion is missing. I use a product called 'Perfect Opaque' to fill the 'blanks' and spot the prints afterwards.

 

[Mats_A]

Unless Finland turns tropic (with the climate change, you never know) stay away from hardening fixer. I always do your #1 and 2 procedures and never had this issue. #3 or something else (manufacturing flaw in the film) could be the issue. Yes, you can spot film if the emulsion is missing. I use a product called 'Perfect Opaque' to fill the 'blanks' and spot the prints afterwards.

Ilford Rapif Fixer is non hardening, right?

r

 

[photomem]

Yes, Ilford Rapid Fix is non hardening.