Recent Pyrocat Issue Large Format

[photomc]

Have used Pyrocat HD for a while, and used Beseler drums without issue. Over the past several months (limited photo time it seems) have had an issue with what I am guessing is like 'bromide drag' when using 7x11 or 8x10 film.

Film:Ilford FP4+
Developer: Pyrocat-HD (2 different batches from the PF, in glycol) 2.5+2+100 dil used 1L of working pyrocat
Drum Beseler 11x14
Reversing Motor base

Have checked the camera, this is not a light leak, it is just a dark density band, and it occurs where the ribs end in the Beseler drum (don't have any other drums to test with). The drum is removed and flipped every 30 sec (thanks for the idea Clay)- development time is 8.5 min, water stop, and Ilford rapid fix.

This same setup worked for quite a while, but have had the issue for a while now.

See the negative below, the band runs the length of the negative (top to bottom short side) you can see that it to the left of center through the water and grass.

If I add a unexposed sheet of film at the same time, there is no buildup in the same location, so it only happens with exposed films.

Fun huh, anyone out there had this issue?

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Mike,
Could it be a rib in the tank? Looks so neat and trim. But I guess a rib wouldn't run in this direction.

 

[photomc]

Bruce,

Good to hear from you, hope you are doing well. It could indeed be the rib, the 7x11 films fit short side in - long side running up and down. It is what I have suspected but for the life of me cannot figure out why the issue started, since it was not always an issue. Tried a different dil tonight 1+1+100 and the results look better, but I was still flipping the drum after 30sec or so. No visible banding on the negative, but have not printed yet - sometimes the issue is not there until printing. May have to find one of the Unicolor 11x14 drums and try it. Thanks for looking, and Happy Holidays Bruce!!

 

[Rick A]

I would be looking inside the camera for the cause. You say it doesn't show up on unexposed film, possibly the film holder. Are you having any issues loading or unloading the film holder? It looks almost like there is a (crease?) or something, is it always in the same place? Hmm...

 

[David Brown]

Mike: I have other drums. Call me and you can experiment.

 

[glbeas]

Try a slightly fogged sheet of film in the tank. If the band shows it is definitely not the camera doing it. If it doesn't show the camera, film holders, etc. are the problem.

 

[photomc]

Thanks for the input guys, I should offer more details as to why I do not think it is a camera/film holder issue - the film edges are nice and clear, no fog or exposure.

David, thanks for the offer will contact you off line

Gary, will give that a try - good idea with the slight fogging of a sheet.

 

[photomc]

Did a few exposures yesterday, modified my dilution from 2.5+2+100 to 1.5+1.5+100 on one negative - no more band. Of course the negative did not have as much stain, so print times are shorter (not a bad thing, but almost to short). Will have to work on times now. The other negatives were tested using dil of 2+2+100 which sill gives the surge/bromide drag whatever you want to call it (btw this elminates the holders as it is always in the same place no matter which holder is used).

Gary, did not do the test by foggin a sheet and then developing it, but still plan to do that - Thanks,

The only thing I can think would have caused things to change is the the local water supply (on a small water supply) that will sometimes get water from a different source (other water supply) must have added/removed something from the process.

Thanks to those that offered comments.

David, will get with you on one of those tanks.

 

[Jim Noel]

You say this is a relatively new phenomenon. Do you put Photo FLo in the tank at the end of processing?
If so, scrub your tank thoroughly with hot water then give it a try. Photo Flo will build up and it becomes a catalyst for film developers.
I stopped using Photo Flo Years ago because of this. I use a different wetting agent and do not put it in tanks.

 

[photomc]

Thanks for that Jim, had forgotten about the residual effects of Photo Flo, though I have not used it in several years. I do use Edwal FFN, so it could be a contributing factor.

 

[Photo Engineer]

It isn't bromide drag. Bromide drag would cause a lighter density streak and it probably would vary in width from end to end.

PE