My Darkroom mystery

[pesphoto]

So I went into the darkroom for a nice long printing session the other day.
I mixed my chemicals the same as I always do set up the enlarger and began to print. Right off the bat my first print in the developer looked fogged. Quite obvious. Seems strange. So I try another box of paper and I get the same result. Another box, same result. A pattern is developing here. After several tries with the same result my developer turns a muddy dark gray color. I dont get it. Did someone in the 3 family house I live in sneak in and fog all my paper? Bad developer? My darkroom is light tight so that isnt an issue for fogging. I gave up and havent been back to try again. I dont really want to throw oput all my paper, but......
I guess i need to buy all new stuff and try again? I just dont know what happened.

 

[gbenaim]

Did you use viradon or similar sulphide toner inside the dr?

 

[reellis67]

Did you use viradon or similar sulphide toner inside the dr?

i.e. the 'smelly' sepia toners give off a gas that will fog paper and film

- Randy

 

[pesphoto]

No, I use dont use those toners at all. Thanks for the replies though.

 

[Gay Larson]

wow that is a mystery, perhaps it was just a gremlin day. that's what I call it when unexplained things happen in the darkroom.

 

[Poco]

If you're seeing the fogging on more than one box, I seriously doubt it's a paper problem. A couple weeks ago I was getting fogging on a bottom corner of my 11x14 prints and it took a couple hours to figure out what was happening -- my safelight filter had developed a pin prick that was streaming an imperceptible (to me) shaft of light into the tray as I rocked the print. First thing I'd try, after mixing fresh chemistry, is to turn off all the safelights and develop an unexposed piece of paper in the complete dark. It was only after I did this and got a pure white sheet that I realized I'd better examine my safelights more closely.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

What developer? I had a similer experience where I swore the paper was fogged but my E-72 (Ascorbic Acid) developer had quit, leaving the apperance of fog on the paper.

 

[pesphoto]

If you're seeing the fogging on more than one box, I seriously doubt it's a paper problem. A couple weeks ago I was getting fogging on a bottom corner of my 11x14 prints and it took a couple hours to figure out what was happening -- my safelight filter had developed a pin prick that was streaming an imperceptible (to me) shaft of light into the tray as I rocked the print. First thing I'd try, after mixing fresh chemistry, is to turn off all the safelights and develop an unexposed piece of paper in the complete dark. It was only after I did this and got a pure white sheet that I realized I'd better examine my safelights more closely.

Hmm..the safelights I did not test. Good point. Although they had been working fine before this. There must be a reason for this, I dont think I did anything to upset the others in the house enough to sabotage my paper.

 

[pesphoto]

What developer? I had a similer experience where I swore the paper was fogged but my E-72 (Ascorbic Acid) developer had quit, leaving the apperance of fog on the paper.

I use Sprint developer. It was bought fairly recently.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

I use Sprint developer. It was bought fairly recently.

If not the safelight then I would bet the problem is in the chemistry. Re mix a new batch of developer and try a sheet, if still a problem then try a different developer.
I find it true when there's a problem and I'm absolutely sure I mixed it right, I'm wrong.

Good luck,

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks Bruce,
I'll try it this weekend

 

[Gerald Koch]

The darkroom is probably one of the worst locations to store paper. Not only is it usually damp but there are also the usual chemicals. I keep only enough in the room for a few sessions. The rest of the paper is kept in the freezer.

 

[pesphoto]

My basemen darkroom isnt the best place for my stash of paper Im sure.
I do have a small fridge. Should I use that?

 

[don sigl]

It is most likely a developer problem. It sounds like the restrainer quit. This will cause fogging. I would mix up some new developer, or add 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of potassium bromide to the remaining developer. Try a test strip and see if the fogging subsides. Add Potassium bromide until is clears up.

 

[pesphoto]

It is most likely a developer problem. It sounds like the restrainer quit. This will cause fogging. I would mix up some new developer, or add 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of potassium bromide to the remaining developer. Try a test strip and see if the fogging subsides. Add Potassium bromide until is clears up.

Great info, thank you!

 

[Gerald Koch]

It is most likely a developer problem. It sounds like the restrainer quit.

Forgive me but this makes no sense. The restrainer cannot quit. Such chemicals as potassium bromide or benzotriazole are not going to stop working, they are stable.

 

[pesphoto]

Forgive me but this makes no sense. The restrainer cannot quit. Such chemicals as potassium bromide or benzotriazole are not going to stop working, they are stable.

But the developer could be exhausted, could this cause my problem?

 

[don sigl]

Forgive me but this makes no sense. The restrainer cannot quit. Such chemicals as potassium bromide or benzotriazole are not going to stop working, they are stable.

KBr may not exhaust itself but can still oxidize due to some kind of contamination. I've seen it happen in the jar. The fogging could very well be a characteristic of the restrainer.

 

[Bob F.]

My basemen darkroom isnt the best place for my stash of paper Im sure.
I do have a small fridge. Should I use that?

No. Get a bigger fridge ... Seriously, I also keep my paper elsewhere in a fridge. I kept my old one for paper & film when I bought a new one for food and beer...

FWIW, I am also fairly sure it will turn out to be a developer problem. The chances of different lots of paper going foggy at the same time and to a similar degree are slight. Most problems can be solved by the sequential application of Occam's Razor (i.e. try the most likely reasons first)...

Good luck, Bob.

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks Bob. I'll let everyone know if I find the problem to be the developer. MAybe I can fit the beer in with the paper?!

 

[Gerald Koch]

KBr may not exhaust itself but can still oxidize due to some kind of contamination. I've seen it happen in the jar. The fogging could very well be a characteristic of the restrainer.

What did you see in the jar? Potassium bromide is a stable substance and is not going to oxidize. Again the restrainer is not the problem.

 

[pesphoto]

Gerald, what do you think the problem could be?

 

[Gerald Koch]

As developer is used it begins to change color turning from a yellowish-tan to a brown color. Even when darkly colored it will still produce a print. Bromide is released into the developer as it is used and so the amount of fog produced should become less and not more.

First, try some new developer and post your results.

 

[pesphoto]

Ok Gerald will do. Stay tuned

 

[don sigl]

What did you see in the jar? Potassium bromide is a stable substance and is not going to oxidize. Again the restrainer is not the problem.

I have seen Kbr oxidize in the jar. I have never found the reson for the contamination, but i have had it happen on at least 3 occiasions over the years.
The restrainer mayvery well not be the problem, but in my opinion, adding a bit of restrainer is worth the effort.