Light leaks !?!

Crio · Sep 1, 2005

Hello everyone!
I recently bought my first 35mm slr - nikon fm2n
Had couple of rolls developed at lab, then started developing film myself. The rolls from the lab and first one I developed at home turned out just fine, however couple of next ones show this problem

pic1

pic2

Is it possible that my camera somehow got light leaks or shutter problem ???
Or could it be poor developing tehnique (I'm using old russian developing tank, because that's the only kind we can get here) ?

Thanks in advance!

Soeren · Sep 1, 2005

Well I have never seen lightleaks do that and Im almost certain it not your shutter.
You could test for light leaks by exposing the hole cameraback to bright light, take it into the darkroom or just put on the lenscap and press the shutter. make a couple of frames like that and have the film developed.
Do the same to another film and develop that one yourself.
Søren

blackmelas · Sep 1, 2005

That's probably uneven development at the edges. THere are several threads on this (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
I've had this problem mostly with 120 but it looks like what you have.
Good luck,
James

skahde · Sep 1, 2005

This is uneven development. It is hard to say what will work best with your tank. Try to agitate by 3-4 quick complete inversions and let the tank sit in between, for 1 min. If this doens't help agitate more vigouriously, if you get surge-marks from the sprocket-holes agitate more gently.

best

Stefan

gnashings · Sep 1, 2005

These certainly do not look likelight leaks. I have seen similar effects on the print side - with out of adjustment enlargers causing light fall-off - but I would second the uneven development hypothesis.

Crio · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks guys! I guess I'll have to experiment a bit with my agitation tehnique.

srs5694 · Sep 1, 2005

I ran across a Web page describing a Russian film tank once. (Unfortunately I don't have a bookmark.) If Crio's tank is like the one I read about, it can't be inverted; agitation is done solely by twirling a knob, IIRC.

Perhaps adding a bit more solution to the tank (if that's possible) would help matters. Since you say your first home-developed roll was OK, try thinking back to how you agitated and otherwise processed that roll. Did you do anything differently from the way you did the subsequent rolls?

As a last resort, if you can buy something via eBay or an online merchant, you could buy a new (or used) non-Russian tank. If that's not possible and you want another tank, perhaps you could arrange a trade. (I might even be willing to buy a used tank off eBay to trade you, just for the novelty of having an old Russian tank. )

Crio · Sep 2, 2005

I found that website too, but AFTER I had already figured out how to use it by myself (not an easy task)

LINK

this thing cost me ~ 1.5$ btw

Soeren · Sep 2, 2005

Crio, Where are you located ? I have a paterson you can have.
Søren

gnashings · Sep 2, 2005

Hey, those Russians make some beautiful tanks - take the T34 for example... a real war winner!

Sorry - couldnt resist!

Thumbs up for the Patterson tank - many a roll went through mine, with no issues. If you can get one, you will be eliminating a variable, I think.
Best of luck.,

Peter.

Crio · Sep 2, 2005

Soeren, I sent you a PM.

joeyk49 · Sep 2, 2005

Soeren said:
Crio, Where are you located ? I have a paterson you can have.
Søren

You see! This is exactly what I was talking about in another thread...

Community members offering help in ways that most would only expect from family; all for the better of the community or the craft.

Cheers to you, Soren!

Soeren · Sep 2, 2005

thanks to you joey
I my self has felt that from Ole and Peters last year so it's only fair I
"Pay the community back"
So which one(s) shall it be the Paterson Tank system 4 with one reel, heavily used, and/or the Jobo Unitank 1520, also one reel, never used ? Ill see if I can find one more reel for the paterson or a clip to prevent the one from "floating" during development due to agitation (has happened to me)
Now we are at it crio, do you need tongs or filmhangers (to dry film) ?
Some of all that stuff was given to me and I don't need it all
regards Søren

Crio · Sep 2, 2005

joeyk49 said:
You see! This is exactly what I was talking about in another thread...

Community members offering help in ways that most would only expect from family; all for the better of the community or the craft.

Cheers to you, Soren!

Yep, this place is great!
I would be more than happy with that paterson and couple of filmhangers.

Thanks Soeren, someday it will be my turn to "Pay the community back"

Light leaks !?!

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