Help needed for identifying problem in developing

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can help me understand a phenomenon I’ve noticed in my scanned negatives.

These examples were shot on Fomapan 400 and Lucky SHD 400 (rated at ISO 200) using a Zorki 2C.

They were developed in Ilford DDX (1:4), stopped with Bellinifoto ECO Stop Bath (1:19), fixed using Bellini Eco Range Universal Fixer FX100 (1:4), washed with tap water, and finished with Kodak Photo-Flo 200 (1:200). Processing was done via rotary development in a temperature-controlled bath.

The negatives were scanned on a copy stand with a lamp source using a Sony A9. Reversal was done in Adobe Lightroom.

After reversing the images, I noticed consistent white dots across all frames and more grain than I usually get with the same film stocks. While I’m aware that some shots are slightly out of focus, show camera shake, or are underexposed, the uniform appearance of the white dots makes me suspect a problem in the process.

Could this be caused by overdevelopment, insufficient stopping, incomplete fixing, or might it be related to the scanning method?

I’d be grateful for any suggestions or insights into what might be causing this issue.

Thanks very much for your help!

I'm not seeing anything?

I've seen a few minor imperfections. but nothing I would call a problem, were it mine. Considering second tier films and unconventional processing, everything look nominal or better to me.

ghwilliam1903 said:

, I noticed consistent white dots across all frames and more grain than I usually get with the same film stocks.

Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't see it. What you've shown looks perfectly normal for Fomapan 400. I'm not familiar with the Lucky film. There are a few spots of dust on one or two of the frames, but this, too doesn't look particularly worrying.

As to grain - note that this is a very complex subject. The grain as it appears in the final image or print is a function of the characteristics of the film, exposure, contrast adjustments in post processing/printing, and development/film processing. Nothing in your images suggests a problem with the latter.

I'm not seeing a problem either and even in the cleanest darkroom dust can appear on negatives, for example even Ansel Adams used Spotone on his prints. I'd just spot it out in Lightroom if that's what you're using.