Black spots = clear areas on the film? Or almost-clear? Is the emulsion actually missing in those spots, ie. is there a physical hole, or is it simply a contiguous area of gelatine with no image in?
It could also be a very dirty camera or film roll if there is no emulsion damage, just an area with no developed silver (underneath the dust/dirt at time of exposure) though this is less likely especially looking at example-1.
What are the recommendations for stop-bath pH with this film, and did you follow them (thinking of the well known problem with a different sort of film completely).
I'm curious about what you find as the reason(s). Please keep us posted.
I think we can rule out the dirty camera or film roll. The camera was a very well-kept Contax 139Q that is basically pristine, and a Tessar 45 that's been recently CLA'd.
The film, I pulled straight from its container, and it's been stored in the freezer since I bought it.
Also, I did not use any stop other than water.
Directions for the Caffenol LC+C recommended allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes after mixing it to allow "micro bubbles" to dissipate. I'm wondering if this is somehow the result of that.
This was also stand developed so I don't think agitation would play a role, although I did have to (carefully) move the tank from one room to another right at the beginning of development.