Troubleshooting D76 tray processing TriX 320 4x5 sheet film. Help

[Asmara]

Had a major problem developing some negatives last night and wondered if anyone can help me troubleshoot this. First a crop of the scan.

[http://www.flickr.com/groups/1427911@N22/discuss/72157626024261952/]


It appears that the grain pattern is compromised - looks like reptile texture.
I used the same chemistry successfully all week for several other batches with no issues. The only thing I can think of is that when I was drying the film it was rather cold in the room. about 14 degrees C.

D76 straight, microwaved to 20C. 6 minutes tray processed. Direct to Fixer for 4 minutes, washed for 10 min, added foto-flo and final rinse and then directly to dry in the metal hangers.

thanks for any insight. I am open to changing developers...just don't mention Pyro, I did that for too many years and am kind of sick of it.

 

[Rick A]

Without seeing the negs, I would have to say its reticulation. You dont list temps for anything other than the developer, and room temp. All chems and wash should be ideally the same temp. Exposing freshly developed wet film to cold temps could cause the problem.

 

[Asmara]

Rick - thanks for the comment. The link provided gives a view of the negative. If you look at without magnification it looks normal to my eyes. I must admit I am pretty sloppy in the darkroom..especially in terms of temp regulation and times etc... but never had this specific issue with the grain. I will look up the term reticulation. The fixer used was kodak rapid fix solution A only (no hardener) diluted to 1:1 with hot water. I did not take a temp on the fixer. I also do not use stop bath, I just go straight from dev. to fix. in total darkness for 4 min and then turn on the lights.
thanks!!

 

[Rick A]

I clicked on your link, and only get the message that this is not the page I'm looking for and redirects me to win-win darkroom support.

 

[Asmara]

try this one.

Dead Link Removed

and after I read one person's description of Neopan 400 reticulation...it appears very similar.
I had the exact same thing happen in 2003 with 3-120 rolls of ilford BW film so I am convinced it is not film specific.
Its funny because the 2003 experience occurred the first time I ever tried to use D76 dev. I assumed it was the dev. and never used D76 again...until 2009 when I got into Large format in a major way...
So it seems more and more likely the temperature changes...but I am so seriously sloppy in the darkroom that Its hard to believe this hasn't happened before. In the last 12 months I have processed about 100 8x10 sheets, 300 5x7 and 200 or so 4x5 sheets. -plenty of other disaster stories about processing but not reticulation.... I blame it on minnesota winters...

 

[Rick A]

Yes, thats reticulation caused by not having all your chems the same temperature. hanging your film to dry in a cold room (IMO) added to the condition. A small space heater in your DR goes a long way in helping avoid this. When the mercury drops below zero here in Pa I run a small ceramic heater to keep my DR and chems at a reasonable temp. I dont have problems keeping my chems at proper temp when developing, if I do I use a tempering bath. I also have a temp control faucet attachment that I use to wash my film.

 

[Asmara]

Well it looks like its settled.

One last question..Can I assume this is 100 per cent irreversible? I think I will have to settle for a contact print and maybe hand-colour it or something radical to make use of the new crocodile-skin pattern effect.

thanks

 

[Rick A]

Some people do that on purpose and charge a high price for "art". Unfortunatly, it is not reversible.