Marks on Colour negatives.

[wandering holga]

I do a fair bit of C41 processing and am careful to agitate the tanks gently and regularly, I wash the negatives carefully and in general follow the proper procedure using tetenal kits. Most of the time the results are good but I have noticed the following marks on a small but significant number of negatives.

The first are purple spots which I am guessing come from the bleach/fix. See the picture of the cathedral.

I also am seeing yellow wash marks on some negatives. If you look at the picture of the Greek church, you will see a yellowish tide mark to the right of the bell and in the sea to the right of the cross. It is not immediately apparent but it is there.

Question is, why do some of my negatives have these defects and what can I do about it.

Like I said above, I am very careful with the way I handle and process my film and always follow the instructions that come with the Tetenal kits.

Any suggestions?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Use a prewet before the developer, at the process temperature, so that the film is evenly wet and the tank and reel are up to temperature. Use a 2% Acetic Acid stop after the developer and before the bleach or blix. Use the bleach or blix slightly longer than recommended and wash longer than recommended. Wash water after the bleach or blix should be just about colorless and not pink.

PE

 

[wandering holga]

Thanks. I do a prewet and the wash water after the blix is colourless. I will try to wash it or longer though.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Use more developer, agitate more strongly and use a stop.

 

[gone]

Are you filtering your chemicals through a paper filter? I was getting similar marks w/ my B&W developing until I started filtering the developer.