ziyanglai
OK. I've had this issue for about a month now and it's driving me nuts. I thought I could solve the problem myself, but turns out I couldn't...
So... Approximately 3 months ago, I started developing my own Ilford FP4 125 (new film) using an OPEN tank at a local high school, they have some pretty nice equipment there and I knew the instructor. I developed using D-76 1+0 and 1+1 with Kodak NON-hardening fixer(fixed for 4-7 minutes). The negatives were fantastic. There were no problems at all.
Well, about 1 month ago, they started summer break, so I couldn't go in there anymore, so I started developing at home using a CLOSE tank (Yankee Agitank). I also ran out of film, so I bought another new box of Ilford FP4 125. At first, I used HC-110 Dil. B with Kodak HARDENING fixer(fixed for 7-8 minutes). And the first 2 sheets came out with these random horizontal scratches/lines that I couldn't describe. (See photo below).
At first I thought it might be the Yankee close tank. So I actually wasted another 2 sheets of film, and developed with the same chemicals and dilutions using the OPEN tank with the lights on, just to see what is going on. So I poured in HC-110, and then the fixer, and same thing, the negatives came out with those scratches/lines. (I should also note that I was stupid and didn't check whether the scratches/lines were there after the developer, before the fix. BTW, the film looks fine out of the box before developing.)
So I thought it may be the problem with the fixer, since Ilford recommends using a non-hardening because their film is already "pre-hardened". OK, so I disposed the hardening fixer and bought Photographers Formulary TF-4 (fixed for 4-6 minutes)but still kept HC-110 Dil. B. Using close tank, same problem. Scratches/lines still on the negative.
OK. So now I'm getting really annoyed. Now I switched to Ilford Perceptol 1+3 with TF-4. Using close tank, same problem.
So can anyone suggest what I do now or what the problem might be? I've wasted almost $50-75 buying all the necessary equipment/chemicals. If no one can come up with a definite answer. I think I'll just let my lab handle it and pay them 2 bucks for each sheet.
It should also be noted that I also developed using the 3 methods mentioned above with 120 rollfilm (Ilford FP4 125 as well). Same thing, still scratches, but less visible.
So is this a chemical issue? Bad film?
I would really like to go back to using D76 and kodak non hardening fixer, but considering the costs I've spent so far and D-76 is not really economical since the tanks take up about 1/2 gallon every time, I would really like to stick with what I have right now with little change as possible.
Also, I can assure you that this is not a procedural issue. I have developed hundreds of rolls of 35mm and 120 film and about 30 sheets of 4x5 without any issues. The problem came when I started doing this at home.
Thanks everyone.
ziyangphoto.com
2 photos attached.
So... Approximately 3 months ago, I started developing my own Ilford FP4 125 (new film) using an OPEN tank at a local high school, they have some pretty nice equipment there and I knew the instructor. I developed using D-76 1+0 and 1+1 with Kodak NON-hardening fixer(fixed for 4-7 minutes). The negatives were fantastic. There were no problems at all.
Well, about 1 month ago, they started summer break, so I couldn't go in there anymore, so I started developing at home using a CLOSE tank (Yankee Agitank). I also ran out of film, so I bought another new box of Ilford FP4 125. At first, I used HC-110 Dil. B with Kodak HARDENING fixer(fixed for 7-8 minutes). And the first 2 sheets came out with these random horizontal scratches/lines that I couldn't describe. (See photo below).
At first I thought it might be the Yankee close tank. So I actually wasted another 2 sheets of film, and developed with the same chemicals and dilutions using the OPEN tank with the lights on, just to see what is going on. So I poured in HC-110, and then the fixer, and same thing, the negatives came out with those scratches/lines. (I should also note that I was stupid and didn't check whether the scratches/lines were there after the developer, before the fix. BTW, the film looks fine out of the box before developing.)
So I thought it may be the problem with the fixer, since Ilford recommends using a non-hardening because their film is already "pre-hardened". OK, so I disposed the hardening fixer and bought Photographers Formulary TF-4 (fixed for 4-6 minutes)but still kept HC-110 Dil. B. Using close tank, same problem. Scratches/lines still on the negative.
OK. So now I'm getting really annoyed. Now I switched to Ilford Perceptol 1+3 with TF-4. Using close tank, same problem.
So can anyone suggest what I do now or what the problem might be? I've wasted almost $50-75 buying all the necessary equipment/chemicals. If no one can come up with a definite answer. I think I'll just let my lab handle it and pay them 2 bucks for each sheet.
It should also be noted that I also developed using the 3 methods mentioned above with 120 rollfilm (Ilford FP4 125 as well). Same thing, still scratches, but less visible.
So is this a chemical issue? Bad film?
I would really like to go back to using D76 and kodak non hardening fixer, but considering the costs I've spent so far and D-76 is not really economical since the tanks take up about 1/2 gallon every time, I would really like to stick with what I have right now with little change as possible.
Also, I can assure you that this is not a procedural issue. I have developed hundreds of rolls of 35mm and 120 film and about 30 sheets of 4x5 without any issues. The problem came when I started doing this at home.
Thanks everyone.
ziyangphoto.com
2 photos attached.
