Stearman Press 4x5 negative artifact.

BobUK

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This is the first time I have used my Stearman Press 4x5 tank, and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong.

A sheet of film exposed and developed for a highlight test came out well, but has what look like water marks on the negative glossy side corresponding to the finger notch on the film holder.

Apart from the mark I am very pleased with the ease of use and low volume of chemicals required. A good tank indeed.


Thanks in advance for any ideas.


p.s. the two marks along the top edge of the negative on the left are pin holes from the film drying clips.

 

koraks

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That spot looks like a thumbprint to me; a place where the film was grasped with a finger, leaving a greasy mark. Most of the time, such marks don't affect scans or prints, so unless you see evident signs of it in your final images, I'd not worry about it.
 

Alex Benjamin

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The only way the holder could impact development is if you put the negative backwards, i.e., emulsion side down rather than upward.
 
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BobUK

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Thank you gents.

The mark originally looked like dried froth on the film.
After a good look with a magnifier it is definitely a fingerprint.
I have developed another sheet of film since, but this time freed it from the holder using a pair of tweezers.
All fine this time.

Well spotted.
 

Mick Fagan

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You may wish to hold the negative carrier horizontally in a tray of water, then by gentle movement you should find the top sheet either slides partially out, or with a gentle pull, it slides out.

Once you have one sheet out, turn the negative holder over so that the remaining sheet is facing upwards, otherwise the holder starts to sink with the remaining sheet heading towards the bottom of the tray with the emulsion side about to collide with the bottom of the tray.

I have the original version of the Stearman tank, and another version with the (I believe) current negative holder.
 
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BobUK

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Mick
I have just developed another test negative, and tried your method of negative removal.
So much better than pulling a sticking negative out of the frame whilst the frame is out of the fluid.
That will be my method now in future.

Thank you Mick.
 
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