Strange marks Ilford + DDX

Draveur · Apr 12, 2014

Hi,

I have developed an Ilford HP5+ using DDX.

My DDX and my Fix are new. Only the washaid and stop have a few month but are still inside the "half bottle life".

At the moment the film was hang for drying, I saw the formation of these strange marks on one frame. Its like if there was a residu of some chimical. The marks spread rather quickly.

I have respected the T°C (20°C) and time. I suspect that my problem comes from the last rince (10 min) : not enought water? (ie.: not enough pressure from the facet).

The film was in the freezer, but at room temp. at the moment of development.

It is the first I get this kind of marks.

Thanks for looking.

markbarendt · Apr 12, 2014

Static discharge?

richard ide · Apr 12, 2014

Sure seems like it. Almost identical to what I have produced in the past.

Gerald C Koch · Apr 12, 2014

Yes static discharge the branching structure is the giveaway.

Draveur · Apr 13, 2014

Thanks!

I have learned something!

So... what is the best way to avoid (reduce) static discharges on 120 film (besides photoshop!) ?

markbarendt · Apr 13, 2014

The problem is pretty random and can happen anytime before development.

I believe the effect is caused by the light the static discharge makes, basically it's a mini lightning strike that exposes the film along it's track.

If you are in a situation where static is likely maybe touch the tripod before touching the back of the camera, apply that same idea to the other times you may touch the film. A nylon bag or clothing may cause this... Probably a 100 different ways this could happen so...

K-G · Apr 13, 2014

The risk for static discharges is higher on really cold winter days when the air indoors gets much more dry.

Karl-Gustaf

Thomas Bertilsson · Apr 13, 2014

Draveur said:
Thanks!

I have learned something!

So... what is the best way to avoid (reduce) static discharges on 120 film (besides photoshop!) ?

Remove the tape slooooooowly when you separate the film from the backing paper.

eddie · Apr 13, 2014

A bit off topic but, is there a way to get the static discharge on purpose? It would be nice to add to my arsenal of emulsion scratching images.

markbarendt · Apr 13, 2014

eddie said:
A bit off topic but, is there a way to get the static discharge on purpose? It would be nice to add to my arsenal of emulsion scratching images.

I'm sure there is, the trick would be how to do it in the dark and on the frame you wanted it to land.

Ronald Moravec · Apr 13, 2014

static

georgegrosu · Apr 14, 2014

Defects occurred in the film seems as additional exposure.
From my experience, the idea of an electrostatic discharge is
reduced.
I have seen on proccesing machine (cine) that this fault appears.
The film was Color negative - Orwo NC 3.
The film rub the edge of proccesing machine (not continuous)
and produced from time to time discharges.
The film was 35 mm and discharges were recorded on film
much branched with different densities and sharpness.
In your case, your fault but less branched tree
and shows the same density. As electrostatic discharge
would have produced the same distance from defective portion of the film.
Again, it seems strange that additional exposure gives the same
density in different points of the film.
These electrostatic discharges occur at small distances from the film.
I say it may be something else.

George

Trask · Apr 14, 2014

And, if advancing the film manually, keep it slow -- don't crank it forward quickly.

Draveur · Apr 17, 2014

Thanks

Yes... unrolling the film slowly to prevent any «electrical transfers». I have learned my lesson. Since the basement is my darkroom I will watch the relative humidity now. Thanks again!

Rafal Lukawiecki · Apr 17, 2014

Move to Ireland or some other humid yet relatively pleasant place.

Strange marks Ilford + DDX

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