Stupid mistakes in the darkroom

bblhed · Dec 20, 2010

Several times I have been just about to insert my arm into the dark bag with my watch on, I have even gotten it into the bag a couple of times, but luckily I haven't un-spooled any film with the watch in the bag yet. This is one of those nifty watches with the glow in the dark hands that I'm sure would make "interesting" results on my film.

kraker · Jun 6, 2011

Part unlucky accident, part mistake...

After two "dry runs" (although not really dry) with 3x2 litres of water, it was time to finally run my newly acquired CAP-40S processor with Ilfochrome chemistry. Poured in via the tubes. First 1 litre of water in each, then add the concentrates. 1 litre of dev, check. 1 litre of bleach, check. 1 litre of fix, okay, it's in. Put the plug back in the tube. Push tube back into the machine.

Uh-oh, this is going into the machine a bit too far. Pull it back out a bit. Mmm, that's only the plug I'm now holding in my hands, the tube is now stuck inside the machine. And 2 litres of fix start to pour out of the tube that is stuck inside the front of the machine.

So far, just an unlucky accident, one might say.

Then, the reflexes kicked in. "If the fix is pouring out at the front, I could just tilt the whole machine backward and stop the flow." I did that before I realised that it is of course an open system, so now fix, bleach and dev poured out at the back side of the machine. Stupid mistake, but that's what happens when reflexes take over.

The residual current circuit breaker kicked in, so the darkroom was now truly dark. Open the door, make sure the cats don't come in, and spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the bathroom while kicking self.

All those people who only shoot digital really don't know what they are missing...

Inspected and dried the machine, looks OK, even after showering it with lots of water. So, I'll soon do another test run with water and if all is fine, I'll just order the next set of Ilfochrome chemistry. This time to use it on Ilfochrome material, and not on the bathroom floor...

Gerald C Koch · Jun 6, 2011

bblhed said:
Several times I have been just about to insert my arm into the dark bag with my watch on, I have even gotten it into the bag a couple of times, but luckily I haven't un-spooled any film with the watch in the bag yet. This is one of those nifty watches with the glow in the dark hands that I'm sure would make "interesting" results on my film.

I douubt that wearing the watch would have made any difference. The human eye is much more sensitive than most films. I have routinely loaded film in a tenk with visable small light leaks about a makeshift "darkroom." Never experienced any fogging.

wogster · Jun 7, 2011

Gerald C Koch said:
I douubt that wearing the watch would have made any difference. The human eye is much more sensitive than most films. I have routinely loaded film in a tenk with visable small light leaks about a makeshift "darkroom." Never noticed any fogging.

I fixed that last line for you....

Now let me explain why, film fogging isn't a yes/no proposition, it's more like, very slight fogging could reduce film speed and contrast by a very slight amount, and unless you process two identical rolls one in your darkroom and one in a changing bag, and compare the two on a light table and see slightly better contrast and speed in one of them, you may never notice it.

BetterSense · Jun 7, 2011

Last time I developed sheet film, with my IR goggles, I noticed that one of the sheets was completely unexposed (I must have forgot to remove the darkslide). As an experiment, I stuck the still-wet film sheet right onto my gralab timer, with the glowing numerals, for several seconds. I continued developing that sheet for several minutes but no image ever showed up. I was very surprised.

Juri · Jun 7, 2011

I've been developing my film only for some months and so far had one incindent that could be considered as a stupid mistake. I had serius trouble getting a specific film on a reel, but finally I managed to do it. Then I opened my darkroom (well, actually bathroom) door only to notice that I had forgot to put the cap on the tank. I quickly closed the door, put the cap on and then deveoped the film. I was sure the negative is ruined, so I was quite surprised to see it came out pretty nice.

Sirius Glass · Jun 7, 2011

PhotoFlo does not work as a fixer. Hypo works much better. I had to first rinse the film many times before I resumed processing with the hypo.

[This is the real hypo, not HCA which properly Hypo Clearing Agent that some dunderheads insist on calling hypo. These dunderheads are able to argue for hours rather than engage their brains. ]

Dennis S · Jun 7, 2011

Every once in a while though, (just for fun I suppose)...I'll turn on the enlarger, set the timer, change my filters, dodge, burn and whatever...before ever taking paper out of the box. Laughing and cursing follow swiftly.

Yes this sounds like something I could/would/have done. I read all the posts but none have admitted to one of my stunts. What it is I have 2 developing tanks that used to look identical. One full of film the other not. No sense in me boring you with the details but I am sure you can forecast the ending of this story. Yellow electrical tape around one of them now.

jm94 · Jun 8, 2011

leaning back agesnt the wall... and my back pops the light switch... im like sh**! but by then, its too late... have had some amazing results with prints though where it looks like a negative... but from now on, i always take the bulb out if im doing critical or once in a lifetime shots or work!

trexx · Jun 8, 2011

jm94 said:
leaning back agesnt the wall... and my back pops the light switch... !

that is why I have invested in switch covers

wogster · Jun 8, 2011

trexx said:
that is why I have invested in switch covers

Another option, is to locate the switch at the 7' level instead of the 5' level, so you need to reach up to flip it.

Dan Dozer · Jun 8, 2011

While in the darkroom (not wearing any shoes) I was loading 8 x 10 film into holders, I heard a strange strange grinding type of sound, then nothing for split second, then very very sharp pain in the very top of my big toe realizing that an X-acto knife had rolled off the counter and landed exactly point down on my foot and stuck there. With my film out of the box, I completed loading the holders ten minutes later, put everything back into the box, turned on the light to see the knife still stuck in my foot which was now surrounded by a large pool of blood.

Jeff Kubach · Jun 8, 2011

My biggest problem is being drunk and fall with the film tank!

Jeff

Roger Thoms · Jun 8, 2011

Dan Dozer said:
While in the darkroom (not wearing any shoes) I was loading 8 x 10 film into holders, I heard a strange strange grinding type of sound, then nothing for split second, then very very sharp pain in the very top of my big toe realizing that an X-acto knife had rolled off the counter and landed exactly point down on my foot and stuck there. With my film out of the box, I completed loading the holders ten minutes later, put everything back into the box, turned on the light to see the knife still stuck in my foot which was now surrounded by a large pool of blood.

Why is that someone else's pain can be so funny. I take it you have learned your lesson and found a safe place for the exacto knife.

Roger

zsas · Jun 8, 2011

Took lid off tank (Patterson) and started draining developer chemistry by holding tank on the side and the light tight seal lid fell off, flashing a few frames. Moral, one hand on side to pour while second hand acts as a safety to make sure light barrier lid doesn't fall off. Think it must have unseated itself whilst all the agitation or I never locked the light lid in all the way when I loaded the film. Never the less hope a newby can learn from my silliness.

tkamiya · Jun 8, 2011

Mine is only a near miss.

One day, I was printing with paper out of my paper safe and I ran out. I thought, ok, no problem. On the light comes on and out the darkroom to get a box of paper from a closet. Now with an empty paper safe with full box of paper on my desk, I proceeded to open the paper safe. My hand goes to the box of paper and I start to open the box. WAIT, THE LIGHT IS STILL ON!

From this time on, I always put a piece of painter's tape (the blue kind) on my paper box just to slow me down and add an extra step to catch myself.

I came close few more times but the tape always reminds me to do it in the dark.

zsas · Jun 8, 2011

Ohhh I like that blue tape idea. Thanks for the share.

Sirius Glass · Jun 8, 2011

How do you see the blue tape in the dark?

tkamiya · Jun 8, 2011

I don't. The point is, if I try to open it in light, I will see that blue tape that will remind me NOT to do that. It will also add an extra step before I can cause some damage.

You can try red, pink, fuchsia, or purple tape. Your mileage may vary.

Sirius Glass · Jun 8, 2011

I understood that when I originally read it, but I thought would take the opportunity to jerk you chain.

tkamiya · Jun 8, 2011

Yeah, I felt that tugging. Thanks, I spilled my soda because of that.

MattKing · Jun 8, 2011

zsas said:
Took lid off tank (Patterson) and started draining developer chemistry by holding tank on the side and the light tight seal lid fell off, flashing a few frames. Moral, one hand on side to pour while second hand acts as a safety to make sure light barrier lid doesn't fall off. Think it must have unseated itself whilst all the agitation or I never locked the light lid in all the way when I loaded the film. Never the less hope a newby can learn from my silliness.

I've had something similar happen to me - and eventually I discovered that the red rim on one of my Paterson tanks was loose on one side.

Peter de Groot · Jun 10, 2011

Well my stupid mistake: Dumb enough I did twice! Loaded my film in the jobo tank poured in water and turned on the machine. One minute later I throw the water away. Pour in eveloper put the tank on the mchine and walk away for 8,5 minutes. When I come back I see the the tank is not rotating! So I turn on the machine and leave it for another 8 minutes in the developer. The photo's are usable but som are light and others are dark and some are half light and half dark.
So remember turn on the machine before leaving to do something else...or better yet don't leave at all!

jp498 · Jun 10, 2011

jm94 said:
leaning back agesnt the wall... and my back pops the light switch... im like sh**! but by then, its too late... have had some amazing results with prints though where it looks like a negative... but from now on, i always take the bulb out if im doing critical or once in a lifetime shots or work!

I set up relays to protect myself from accidentally turning on the light. If the safelight is on, the relay for the safelight disconnects the regular light, so the regular light switch functions, but the light doesn't come on. (and vice versa).

Doesn't stop me from intentionally turning the safelight off and turning the light on. I was multi-tasking; developing a print while transferring a second one to the fixer. I got the print in the fixer and it looked good so I wanted to turn the light on for a better look. I forgot about the one in the developer and turned the light on for a second or two till I noticed it and shut it off again.

I got a super cool solarized print. Really the best image of the whole darkroom session. And I couldn't make another one just exactly like it.

My answer is not to multitask when you are overtired. I also put in a brighter safelight system so I have to turn on the lights less frequently. I put in a tracklight with red led bulbs in the cans for the safelight illumination.

StevieG · Jun 10, 2011

worst ever? first time I developed colour having done loads of B&W one shot development. I had the chems warmed precisly, was critical with time and every step. It was only when I finished washing and was hanging the film to dry I realised - I had just poured the entire, brand new stock of developers and fixer away. Doh!

Stupid mistakes in the darkroom

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency