Streaks on Film: Cause?

Ian G · Sep 21, 2016

Hi all
I've been getting these funny surface streaks on my developed film and have been wondering what causes it and what I should do differently.

They are all along the film and you see them on the surface, especially if you angle the light, but they don't seem to appear in the scans of the negs.
Any insight much appreciated.
Thanks
Ian

Ian Grant · Sep 21, 2016

It's from your water supply which must be very hard, wash with de-ionesed water (often bottled is OK) for your final rinse. You could use a Brittax (or similar) water filter jug, they work well and it's what I use here in the UK where my water is sometimetimes very hard.

BTW I'm IanG or Ian G on some forums

Ian

jeffreyg · Sep 21, 2016

If you can see them on the surface you may be able to reduce or remove them with an acid wash. They could be from calcium-carbonate in the water. Then wash as suggested by Ian. It is rather easy to install a cartridge water filter in the water line you use for washing film. i installed one for my darkroom sink since we are on well water and although we have a system for the entire house i like the extra filtration for my photography.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Ian G · Sep 23, 2016

Thanks, So it's definitely the water you think. Hmm.
I'm looking more closely now and seeing signs of this in the negs and images. There had been these markings appearing that are now explained.

*Do you think it would be enough if only the final wash is distilled or filtered. One needs a lot of water. All the developer fix and stop are made with the same water. I guess I'll just have to break it down by experimentation. At least I know what the problem is.
And yes, here in Brussels the water is notoriously hard.
* How would I do an 'acid wash'?

Insight much appreciated guys
Ian

Ian Grant · Sep 23, 2016

Either use Acetic acid or white vinegar as an acid wash to dissolve the clacium carbonate, make it slightly stronger than a normal stopbath. Then wash again, you only need to use distilled or deionised water for the last rinses.

I moved two years ago and my current water supply is far harder than at my mothers house 1/4 of a mile away, it comes from two local boreholes. We have to use a water filter before boiling water in a kettle or the calcium builds up very quickly. An old remedy was to boil the water for final rinsing and leave it to cool overnight, then decant off the precipitated calcium carbonate.it does work.

Ian

goros · Sep 23, 2016

Or you can buy distilled or de-ionised water jugs in your local car supply shop. The king of water used to fill car batteries. I wash with tap water and use the other water just for mixing with the wetting agent.

Ian G · Sep 23, 2016

Thanks for the tip on car supply shop, my supermarket sells distilled water but is' overpriced.For the vineagr treament, how much would I use, what mix and do I put it in the tank after the fix or at the very end?

Ian Grant · Sep 23, 2016

Ian G said:
Thanks for the tip on car supply shop, my supermarket sells distilled water but is' overpriced.For the vineagr treament, how much would I use, what mix and do I put it in the tank after the fix or at the very end?

You only use the acetic acid/vinegar to remove the scum from negatives that have dried with it on them. If white vinegar I'd suggest 1 part vinegar + 4 parts water.

Just buy a water filter jug they aren't expensive and use it for the final rinse water.

Ian

Streaks on Film: Cause?

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