issues w/ Rodinal and HP5

[DoryBreaux]

For the initial issue of this post, I'd have to disagree with the opinions that HP5/Rodinal are not a good match. This combination suits me very well, especially for the Olympus 35RC that I keep loaded with HP5 as an "always on me" camera when on trips. My processing details are Rodinal (or RO9) at 1 + 50, 20 degs C, agitate for the first 30 secs then two inversions each 30 secs for a total of 15 mins. Usual stop, fix, wash, etc.. Though grain would undoubtedly show at higher enlargements, for my usual 10" x 7" it's not an issue at all. The tonal range and convenience of a fast film and a developer concentrate with a virtually unlimited shelf life have a lot going for them. My suggestion would be that you resolve the changing bag/light leak issue and persevere with that combination. Doing your film reel loading at night gets you half way to solving some of your problems.
Good luck with it!
Steve

If it were a shutter issue you'd expect it to not leak over the borders of the frames, right?

 

[ericdan]

if you use photoflo there's no need for the squeegee.
It only introduces a chance of damaging your negatives with scratches.

 

[GLS]

If it were a shutter issue you'd expect it to not leak over the borders of the frames, right?

I've found with my Pentax 6x7 that really bright highlights near the edge of the frame can bleed into the rebate (My Hasselblad doesn't do this; differences in pressure plate reflectance?). If the overexposure was extreme enough maybe it could happen to the extent shown.

Another thing I noticed: the overexposure/fogging gets progressively worse in the last three frames of roll 2. I'm not sure if this is possible, but perhaps the battery is on its last legs and causing the shutter to drag?