Developed first roll of film after a long time..

[vvramesh]

Folks,
In the spanking new darkroom I set up a few days ago, I developed my first roll of film. I am getting back into to darkroom processing after a very long time. It was lot of fun and the results were very gratifying. I had put a roll of film through my MF camera at around 7:00PM and I had the fully developed negative at 9:00PM. Talk about instant gratification....
One slight problem though...
I used the Jobo CPE 2 processor with the Lift attachment. The last two frames had some sort of colured dye. All other frames are perfect. I also noticed that the pre rinse waster water (prior to the development) also had a pink/purple coloured hue.
The only reason I could think off is that I probably did not completely remove the glue that is used to stick the film to the paper in the 120 roll, when loading the film on the reel.

Are there any other potential reasons for this slight mishap? By the way, the film is Fuji ACROS, developed using Ilford IlfoSol.

Thanks for your help.
VV Ramesh

 

[David A. Belew]

Hi,
I would guess that you may have been using one of the Tmax films. The dye you are seeing is from the film base. I suggest that you use either/or longer
fixing time/your fixer may be exhausted. In your case, it's probably the fixing time. Also, I recommend that you increase the fixing time. With the film you have already developed, I would refix it for 2-3 minutes, followed by a normal wash.
Dave Belew

 

[Neal]

Dear W,

I think it is likely that you were a little short on fluid volume, at least with the fixer. You didn't mention which tank you used but assuming it was a 2523, I like to use 300ml rather than 270 just to be safe.

Neal Wydra

 

[David A. Belew]

I agree Neal. The solution volumes from Jobo are the absolute minimums to cover the film. I also use 300 ml in that tube. However, one should not exceed their recommendations by much because it will effect the agitation and can cause excessive bromide drag with certain developers and the "older" formulation type films. I was a beta tester for Jobo until Paul Rowe passed away some years ago.

 

[Neal]

Dear Dave,

"...one should not exceed their recommendations by much because it will effect the agitation..."

Thank you for that information, I was unaware.

Neal Wydra

 

[David A. Belew]

The tests we ran back then where this came up the most often were with PXP and TXP in 35mm, occasionly with 120 roll film. It's one of the reasons they came up with the donut shaped spacer for the 2323 tank when you only used one 35 mm sized reel. Never saw the problem with the new generation films such as Tmax and Delta.

I was also beta testing XTOL at the same time so I reported both to
Rochester and Jobo at the same time. BTW, Kodak was using Jobo's
in Rochester to develop their times for rotary machine processing. Most of
Kodak's testing was done on their graveyard shift at that time. So,
I would have to stay up to report verbally and talk to their teck's
in the middle of the night.

I personally only use XTOL anymore out of convenience, especially since
I mainly use TMAX and Delta films, and they do quite well with My CPP2.
I also use a 1 minute presoak and a 1 minute water bath between developer and stop bath. Kodak doesn't like to admit it, but XTOL uses both Phenedone and Vitamin C as developing agents in XTOL.

 

[vvramesh]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for your helpful hints. The tank I was using is 2521 - I think.
David, thanks for the tip about chemical volumes. I will adjust the volume as per your suggestion and see how I go.
Got hold of some Technidol two days go - can't wait to process a Tech Pan film I shot 2 years ago, that is sitting in my fridge waiting to be developed. Will post the results soon....
Thanks once again.
VV Ramesh

 

[Neal]

Dear V,

With luck, Technidol will work for you in the Jobo. If it doesn't, another alternative for developing Technical Pan is Flexicolor C-41. I use 8 minutes in Jobo tanks. The information came from an old Photo Techniques magazine.

Neal Wydra