Film reel loading, what I am doing Wrong?

[haris]

What I will describe happens every time, so I must doing something wrong.

I use Jobo 1520 tank with 1501 reels, that is reels which can load 2x120 films with red separator. Who have those reels knows about it. But every time when I load 2 films and finish processing films, I get on one film about third of film darker than rest of that roll. Other roll is fine. And it happens allways with first loaded roll. And I hink it happens on part of the roll closer to base of the reel, not close to red separator. I pour chemistry in tank relativelu fast, less than 5 seconds, so pouring chemistry is not reason. And on that third of the roll (its lenght) which develop darker than rest of the roll, it starts one half by its width, which graduatly goes and on end of the roll it is darker on whole width of the roll...

It never happens with 2 reels loaded with 35mm film at same time in tank, (one reel at top of second), only with 2x120 film on one reel. And I allways pour enough chemistry, atleast 500ml and more...

What I could doing wrong, anyone has idea?

Thanks

 

[Photo Engineer]

I have never had this problem.

I have had problems with uneven development of the last frame once when I didn't put in enough developer, but never what you describe.

I suspect that the agitation is not sufficient. Jobo revised their recommendations over the original ones stating that agitation should be set higher for film than the marked setting on the dial.

PE

 

[haris]

Thanks. I don't use Jobo processor, I use hand agitation by Ilfords recommendation (I use Ilford films and chemistry), that is agitation constant first minute, than 10 seconds every minute. I have good films when develop one 120 film or 35mm films on two separate reels. Problem is 2x120 film on one reel.

 

[srs5694]

How are you agitating? That is, are you doing inversion agitation (turning the tank upside-down and then rightside-up a few times), using a stick to rotate the reels inside the tank, or some other method? I've seen claims that rotating-stick agitation can sometimes cause uneven development, but I don't know if it would cause exactly the pattern you report.

 

[Nick Zentena]

Makes no sense considering your inverting.

Unless it's fogging some how? Is the tank tube and funnel in place?

 

[Paul.]

Hi Haris,
I also use the Jobo 1520 tank and have sometimes found a problem getting 2 120 films on the reel. I use Ilford HP5+ film. I have found I cannot always get all the second film on the reel and if I try to get the first film to the bottom of the reel I have found it can jump off the guides on one side of the reel and touch the next layer thus causing uneven development.
My solution was to simply not force the film and the short bit of film that would not fit the reel [less than a full frame] I just wrap around the reel and forget about. As this tail end has no image on it with my camera I have found it better to leave it hanging than to risk the front end of the first film.
I particulaly like this tank despite some times haveing this problem as it does not leak and 500ml fills it rather than the 600ml of my other tanks.
Hope this of some help to you.
Best wishes Paul.

 

[Paul.]

As a p.s. Haris,
You could always try loading 2 processed films on to the reel in daylight to chek if it is the case that the film is jumping off the guides. It is how I found my problem.
Regards Paul.

 

[Ed Sukach]

It sounds to me like there is light entering the tank at some time. Checking - You do... Load the tank in total darkness; Use the proper "spindle" through the center of both reels; use the "cone" adapter in the tank top, and the "red cap" cover (this is necessary, if you are inverting).

It sounds like you already know the proper amount of chemistry to use in manual operation: ~ 540 ml for manual operation ; 270 ml in rotation.

It might be possible for the tank top to be mis-assembled - however it would be really obvious - chemistry would leak out - a LOT.

If I understand the problem - one third of the first loaded film - next to the center of the reel - is affected. That would be approximately one turn aound the center of the reel, and that would indicate some sort of "center spindle" problem.

 

[haris]

Thank you all for answers.

I use hand agitation with turning tank upside down. I do everything "by the book", I load my film in darkness, no leaking of chemistry during processing, I didn't noticed any physical damage, any "wobbling" of parts or any problems with tank and reels which could cause light leaking inside tank. Films do not overlaping, because in that case both films would be damaged, but only one is damaged. I don't know, I think I will put only one film on reel at time

Thank you all again.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. Films do not overlaping, because in that case both films would be damaged, but only one is damaged.

Not necessarily. The emulsion side is the only one that matters; one film (emulsion up) could develop OK, and the other (emulsion covered) not.

But that shouldn't make it dark...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nick Zentena]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=115426

Do you have one of those on the inside of your lid? Is there a centre column inside the tank?

 

[haris]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ductDetail&A=showItemLargeImage&Q=&sku=115426

Do you have one of those on the inside of your lid? Is there a centre column inside the tank?

Yes, I have one of those, and do have center column. Probably I mess up when loading first film, I think I maybe load it "too far"...

Roger, yes, but... I load all films the same, that is emulsion inside (toward center of reel). And in that case, second film have to be allways loaded accidently under first film, so second film emulsion would be free, and first film emuslion would touched second film no emulsion side. Never vice versa. And in all my cases only first film is affected, second is allways OK. And that would happen only under circumstance that I load second film in a way it "skip" red separator. I don't have feeling I do that, but who knows...

Well, will experiment...

Thank you all.