HP5 Plus problems

[tyqre]

I started trying to develop black and white film a few months ago, I shoot it when ever I can. I've developed around 4 or 5 rolls so far but every time I do it I get some slides with silver blotches. It is un-avoidable for me. I am using all of the recomemded times for the ilfotech DD-X developer and stop bath, fixer ect. Is it bad loading into the spool (plastic ones btw) or what?

 

[ntenny]

When you say "silver blotches", do you mean silver-colored (shiny) blotches, or blotches of image silver (which would look black)?

If you've got an image that shows the issue---maybe just a snapshot of the film strip---that would help with diagnosis.

-NT

 

[tyqre]

It is silver-colored blotches that show up silver on the negative.
and ill get that snap shot, ill post it here when i get it.


The first slide has silver screen over it for some reason.

 

[Alan W]

Are you washing properly and using photoflo?The negatives,not yourself!

 

[tyqre]

haha umm i guess im not using photoflo, just the dev, stop bath and fixer. and i forgot to add it is on other slides as well, not just that frame.

 

[brucemuir]

What condition is the camera?
It's hard to tell but those could be light leaks from the back or hinge area of the back but I'm only guessing.

 

[garysamson]

You may not be fixing the negatives long enough or the film is loaded improperly on the reel allowing the film to buckle and touch adjacent film wound on the reel. Take the film strip with the blotch and refix it for 3 minutes or so and see if the problem disappears.

 

[tyqre]

What condition is the camera?
It's hard to tell but those could be light leaks from the back or hinge area of the back but I'm only guessing.

the cameras was in great condition.im pretty confident its my developing because when i get my color film developed professionally they come out great.

 

[tyqre]

You may not be fixing the negatives long enough or the film is loaded improperly on the reel allowing the film to buckle and touch adjacent film wound on the reel. Take the film strip with the blotch and refix it for 3 minutes or so and see if the problem disappears.

Ok, ill try this.

 

[brucemuir]

the cameras was in great condition.im pretty confident its my developing because when i get my color film developed professionally they come out great.

Okay, good deduction.
My next guess would be similar to gary about loading the reels.
It's easy when starting out to misload the film and if the film touches itself, the chemistry cant get to that part.

 

[tyqre]

Okay, good deduction.
My next guess would be similar to gary about loading the reels.
It's easy when starting out to misload the film and if the film touches itself, the chemistry cant get to that part.

yes i agree. if only i could tell in the dark if i was loading it wrong. I haven't gotten the feel for it yet. Maybe i should just invest in some night vision goggles! haha

 

[brucemuir]

Are you using plastic or stainless reels?

I'd sacrifice a roll and practice in the light.

This is something I'm betting all of us has had to conquer.

 

[tyqre]

Are you using plastic or stainless reels?

I'd sacrifice a roll and practice in the light.

This is something I'm betting all of us has had to conquer.

I am using plastic reels. I do have a practice reel and i can seem to do it ok in the light. Maybe leaving the leader outside the reel when I wind the film back up and cut it perfectly straight will help.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Are you using plastic or stainless reels?

I'd sacrifice a roll and practice in the light.

This is something I'm betting all of us has had to conquer.

Second this. After practicing in the light try loading the reel with your eyes closed a few times.

 

[MattKing]

I am using plastic reels. I do have a practice reel and i can seem to do it ok in the light. Maybe leaving the leader outside the reel when I wind the film back up and cut it perfectly straight will help.

When you load:

1) listen carefully to the sound the film makes as you load it - it is distinctive when the film goes off track;
2) use your fingers to regularly check the side of the reels. When the film goes off track, it tends to protrude;
3) make sure the ball bearings are moving freely before you start loading the film.

 

[garysamson]

The film should load easily on a Patterson reel if it is absolutely clean and dry.

 

[tyqre]

Ill shoot another roll of film tomorrow and try again, thanks guys for all your help.

 

[cepwin]

Make sure the reel is totally dry....that's a big mistake I made with the result of frustration and ruined images. I agree with photo-flo...when I develop b/w negatives that's my last step and it really helps

 

[Simon R Galley]

All above valuable advise, dry reels the absolutely most important thing.

Another thing, make sure your hands are dry.....silly point?, no its not, the film surface ( any film ) will easily take on moisture, keep a lint free cloth handy, when l started out processing a loooong time ago and when training other people they were a little nervous / anxious when loading onto Paterson reels, and if you are then you perspire.

I really do not know if people wera cotton gloves? I never have as you need to 'feel'.
Simon.

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