Inconsistent result with XTOL on Superpan

[koraks]

But I am kind of stumped as to what it could be...

Yup, it doesn't add up.

 

[Craig]

I had originally though that it was fixed before developing, but since all 3 films were developed in the same tank, and 2 came out, that can't be the case.

I think the most likely explanation was that an unexposed roll was accidentally developed.

 

[koraks]

I think the most likely explanation was that an unexposed roll was accidentally developed.

But then the leader would at least show development.

My guess is that at least one bit of evidence that's being posted here is not correct.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I have developed from the bulk roll previously successfully, and I believe they had edge markings, but i dont remember, its been a while ago. Leading edge was blank.

1. When you say, "Leading edge was blank," can I assume by "blank" you mean "clear" - that is, matching the density of the rest of the roll -- and not "black"?
2. Do you not have any previously processed negatives from this same bulk roll on hand, so you can confirm or deny if edge markings are present?
3. You mention, "We had workshop yesterday developing several different films, and none of them showed any problem." -- but I assume none of them were from the bulk roll of Superpan, right?

I think the next troubleshooting step is to develop another segment of Superpan film from the bulk roll. Don't even need to put it in a camera.

In the dark, pull out about two feet (or half of a meter) and cover up half of that with something to prevent exposure to the light. Turn on the room lights for a few seconds, then turn them off again. Load on a reel and process it normally.

If the processed segment of film shows one-half black, and the other half clear with edge markings, then that will be very instructive. If it shows something else, then maybe that will also be helpful?

 

[Don_ih]

In the dark, pull out about two feet (or half of a meter) and cover up half of that with something to prevent exposure to the light. Turn on the room lights for a few seconds, then turn them off again. Load on a reel and process it normally.

Or just use two inches.

Frankly, the whole issue here sounds like a fantasy. There's pretty much no way you could get nothing on a developed roll of Aviphot 200 unless you (1) didn't expose it or (2) didn't develop it before you fixed it.

 

[runswithsizzers]

There's pretty much no way you could get nothing on a developed roll of Aviphot 200 unless you (1) didn't expose it or (2) didn't develop it before you fixed it.

Yes, but in the case of #1, there is still a bit of a mystery concerning: a. the edge markings, and b. the leader, which would have been exposed no matter what, right?

The fixed-before-developed theory does fit the observed result, but only @geirtbr can explain how this might have happened.

@geirtbr, were the three films developed in Xtol the only three rolls you developed in that session? Was there any other film laying about in the darkroom that might have accidently got mixed up with your intended film before developing? I know most darkrooms used by students have some "practice" film available so they can practice loading film on reels to get the feel for it.