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Developing Help

Ektagraphic

Member
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Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
2,928
Location
Massachusetts
Format
Medium Format
Hello- I have tried for the first time do develop some film and I have failed a few times now. I have followed all of the instructions as best I could. I am ending up with only some parts of the film developed. I am using 35mm and small single roll tanks the have a spindle to rotate the roll of film. I have agitated 10 seconds for every minute of development and I have filled the tank up with enough of the solutions.-Patrick
 
Which part of the film is undeveloped Patrick? Personally I prefer inversion agitation but that shpouldn't have any bearing on your problem.

Bob H
 
patrick

if parts of the film are not developing, it
might be because it isn't wound correctly
onto the reel and the film touches so development
can not take place ...
when you wind the film on the reel ( metal at least )
you can push the film against the reel, and feel it move
slightly back and forth. if it is bound, and touching,
it will not move at all back and forth ...
i never use plastic reels so i can't help you there ...

if you can, post a scan of your film so we can see what you mean ..
good luck!
john
 
Hey Patrick,

Hang in there it really does work.

How about a bit more info.

E6? B&W? C41?
 
This is black and white. I am using plastic reels in tanks that rotate and there is really no way to shake the tanks or bang them on the table as the chemicals would come right out. I would post a scan but I don't have a scanner. I think that the film is getting wrapped to tight onto the reel. I can't seem to wind it loosly.
 
Do you load with the Emulsion facing in or out?
 
hi patrick

do you have a spent / practice roll of film
that you can wind on the reel
to see how you are loading the film ?
do it in the dark, and then turn the lights on
to see how it looks ...
hold the reel to the light, and see if film is touching
(you can't see light through everywhere .. )
some reels allow you to start the film over "the little balls"
and push the film onto the reels without wiggling the sides of the reels
to load the film ..

the film gets wrapped on the reel just as it would on the filmspool in the cassette
or in your camera ... ... emulsion side in ..

i always had more trouble using plastic than i do with metal reels
(which have their own set of issues ) ... maybe someone who uses
the same reels you use can chime in to suggest a better suggestion
other than "practice makes perfect" ...

john
 
You best bet is to use an old roll of film and load the reel in the light to practice. At least that way you can see what's happening. Even a new roll of film would be better than wasting several rolls - and the pictures!

Bob H
 
Ektagraphic,

When you pull the reels out at the end is the film wound correctly?

I use steel reels and invertible tanks so I don't have direct experience with similar hardware but when I have wound things to tight and the film layers in the reel touch I get all kinds of funky stuff from nothing to posterized looks.

My other thoughts relate to agitation.

I read somewhere that filling the tank too full can cause issues too, no room to slosh; when I got my tanks I put a reel (or 4, whatever fits) in a tank and fill it from the tap then pour that back to a graduate to find my minimum full level.

You may also try sliding the tank around in circles, first one way then the other then crossing back and forth, to and fro, rather than using the stir stick.
 
SUCCESS!! I guess I was loading the film on the reel way to tight. I am so happy. I can't believe what I have been missing all of these years that I have sent my film off in the mail to a lab! I will now have tons more money in my pocket
 
[ I think that the film is getting wrapped to tight onto the reel. I can't seem to wind it loosly.[/QUOTE]
*******
Most plastic reels, nowadays, load from the outside int by "walking" the film in. What kind of reel/tank are you using which allows you to "wind" the film too tightly? Does you reel/tank setup have a brand name?
 
Anscojohn said:
[ I think that the film is getting wrapped to tight onto the reel. I can't seem to wind it loosly.
Click to expand...
*******
Most plastic reels, nowadays, load from the outside int by "walking" the film in. What kind of reel/tank are you using which allows you to "wind" the film too tightly? Does you reel/tank setup have a brand name?[/QUOTE]

I was going to say, this problem is usually associated with metal reels. Anyway Patrick - glad you're set. Won't be the last of the problems or screw-ups - but it's worth it. Have fun pal.

Bob H
 
It is an adjustable reel so I had it set to large.....I never realized how easy is it to develop film! I have tanks that have a spindle to rotate the reel inside. They are vintage baklite. I love them!
 
Congratulations!

It is amazing isn't it.

Three things to keep in mind now.

1) Every change makes a difference. Agitation, temp, exposure, scene contrast...

2) Testing is the only way you will ever figure out what works best for you.

3) There are no magic bullets, most films and developers can be bent to your will with practice.

Ektagraphic said:
It is an adjustable reel so I had it set to large.....I never realized how easy is it to develop film! I have tanks that have a spindle to rotate the reel inside. They are vintage baklite. I love them!
Click to expand...
 
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