Shen Hao TFC-617

[Darius Johanes]

Hi Guys,

I recently acquired a new Shen Hao TFC 617.
The camera is beautiful but the results are not as expected. Not sure if it's user error or film back issue.

Only 1 frame is okay because it's taken at dusk with no Sun.
Film is FP4 developed in D76 1:3 ratio.
Scanned on Epson V800.

Just want to see if anyone owns this system and comes across similar issue.

 

[grat]

Are you fully removing the darkslide?

Also, make sure you're keeping the frame-counter window closed except when you're advancing the film, and then use a low-power flashlight rather than sunlight to look through the window.

 

[Darius Johanes]

Yes, darkslide is fully removed.

Any tips on loading the film?

 

[Huub]

The irregularaties you see along the top of the frame might be a development issue. Use a bit more developer solution and it will probably be solved.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

The irregularaties you see along the top of the frame might be a development issue. Use a bit more developer solution and it will probably be solved.

D-76 1+3 is also a fairly week solution of developer. I had what appeared to be some very strange light leaks at one point with my 5"x4" camera - it turned out the issue was how the back of the camera interacted with the film holder, once I'd screwed everything down more the light leaks went away.

 

[Darius Johanes]

Thanks for the advice. The dark slide is fully out.
I may have forgotten to close the red window at some stage.
I may need to correct my loading technique.

 

[Darius Johanes]

D-76 1+3 is also a fairly week solution of developer. I had what appeared to be some very strange light leaks at one point with my 5"x4" camera - it turned out the issue was how the back of the camera interacted with the film holder, once I'd screwed everything down more the light leaks went away.

Hi Tom,
I only started using 1:3 ratio to make it non solvent for low speed film.
maybe I should go back to 1:1 but I’m trying Xtol soon.

 

[grat]

Try *not* removing the dark slide fully. With no film and the back removed from the camera, pull the slide out until it's no longer blocking the film gate-- see if there's a mark on the slide there. If not, add one.

The idea being, that light may be coming in through the slot where the dark slide sits.

 

[Huub]

It is not the dilution of the developer that probably caused the issue, but the amount of liquid you used. I had the same issues when developing 120 film in a Paterson tank when using 500ml of developer. As soon as i started using 600ml the negatives were evenly developed again.