Spots on Negatives (Fuji Acros, PyrocatHD, TF4) - Please Help

[pkupcik]

Just developed 4 roles of Fuji Acros II and am seeing white spots across all frames. I did two batches of two films and all four films have the problem. Any advice on what could be the problem? I will try a different developer and fresh fixer, but am still curious on what your thoughts are on what could cause this.

Film: Fuji Acros II 100. Expired 12/2021.
Developer: Pyrocat HD in Glycol from Photographer's Formulary. Fresh newly opened A and B Set.
Developed for 13minutes, at 75F, 10+10+900 ratio of A+B+Distilled water. No prewash. 60sec agitation at the start, then 10sec every 2mins. Agitation was "normal" - neither gentle, nor energetic.
Water stop bath.
TF4 Fixer for 5min. Fixer wasn't fresh, but wasn't old either. Developed about 10 roles of 120 film in the same fixer batch previously. I also developed Delta 3200 in the same Fixer batch just a day prior to Fuji Acros, but with TMAX Developer and had no problems.
Above is a process I successfully used before.
The film is otherwise developed nicely, the only exception is the white spots everywhere.
Also, the film did go through one airport xray scan. It was one of those older scanners, not the new powerful ones.

Attachment picture is a 100% crop.

Thank you.

 

[K-G]

It looks definitely as a mottling problem. You can find most answers in the following thread. It is a problem that comes from interaction between film and backing paper on 120-size films ( I suppose that is what you have used ) . Ilford and Kodak have taken actions against it but Fuji does not answer.

Karl-Gustaf

The Ilford 120 film issue - which films have people seen affected?

So, by now many of us have experienced the "snow" (or chicken pox) effect that effects affects certain Ilford 120 films. For me personally, I've had the issue on Fp4+ - so much so, that I am giving it a miss for a while. What stocks I have will not be used on anything important and I can't...

www.photrio.com

 

[pkupcik]

Thank you Karl-Gustaf. Is there any development technique that could minimize this defect? I have six more rolls exposed waiting for development.

 

[250swb]

Thank you Karl-Gustaf. Is there any development technique that could minimize this defect? I have six more rolls exposed waiting for development.

No, the film is fundamentally damaged, but keep your fingers crossed they may be from a different batch. I didn't realise Kodak also have had problems like Ilford, but it's not beyond the bounds of possibility they all buy their backing paper from the same manufacturer.

 

[MattKing]

Backing paper and film interactions have always occurred, although there seems to be more occurrences with more recent films.
The problem arises because of interaction between environmental factors, the backing paper, the ink on the backing paper and the nature of the film emulsion. Each different type of film can potentially be affected in its own way. There are very few paper manufacturers left who have the capability to make the type of paper needed for backing paper. The inks used on modern presses have changed. Films have changed.
Kodak's problems were a major area of discussion here a few years ago, they had great difficulty "solving" (or at least reducing to manageable levels) the problem, and probably got close to canceling 120 film production entirely because of the problem.

 

[K-G]

Ilford have been very focused on solving these problems and informing about them. I enclose two of their statements regarding research on the problem and ways to avoid it, both in manufacturing and handling of the film. I think much of reason for mottling and precautions for handling also goes for other manufacturers. Hopefully also when it comes to changes in manufacturing.

Karl-Gustaf

Statement on 120 roll film

The home of black & white film photography

www.ilfordphoto.com

Updated 120 ROLL FILM STATEMENT

In March 2020 we issued a statement in relation to instances of spots / mottle affecting a small percentage of 120 roll film negatives.

www.ilfordphoto.com