Troubleshooting dark transparancies (E6)

[bestbefore1978]

Hi, I've just processed two E6 films as per my normal workflow, and have had some strange results, hoping you can help.
I have processed these for clients, and so I do not know if camera error is to blame, although the films were from different clients, processed together in the same tank.

Both films were Velvia 100

Both film are very dark, most of the roll completely black, but with the odd frame processed as normal.

On both films the edge markings are strong and clear as normal.

Processed in an automated Filmomat processing machine.

Things I've checked:
All chemistry (Fujihunt 6X) is new, mixed today, this was the first use
PH of all solutions around normal (+- 0.2 with my cheap pH meter)
Temperature readout of machine verified with another thermometer and correct.

Processing time in first developer: 6:30 at 38C (30secs extra as normal for Velvia in my process)

The only deviation I have realized is that I omitted a water rinse after the Colour Developer so whilst I was swapping the chemistry out of the machine and cleaning the chemistry tanks there would have been some residual CD on the film for approximately a further 3 minutes - could this result in such excessive density / darkness?

Processing error? Or have I just been unlucky and received two rolls of film to process that are both grossly underexposed, or with camera errors?

Thanks

 

[Lionel1972]

Exposition error from the camera or photographer.

 

[faberryman]

If the odd frame was "processed as normal", then they were all processed as normal and the fault likely lies with exposure.

 

[Rudeofus]

The numbers at the film edges look perfect, therefore I'd also suggest an exposure error rather than a processing error.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Some exposures correct, edges correct, film dark ===> exposure error

 

[bestbefore1978]

Thanks all for your responses. I have gone on to process a further film from a known source in the same batch of chemistry, and replicated the omission of the rinse between CD and pre-bleach.
Density and colour balance are all perfect, so exposure error must be the cause on the earlier films.

I was just calculating the odds of two films from different clients both being underexposed when processed together through a new batch of chemistry, and assumed the chemistry / process was at fault.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

At least one of those images illustrates the film's struggle to equalise the extremes of contrast: bright blue sky and very deep, dark shadows.

None of the Fuji E6 emulsions handle that sort of contrast range well, yet the camera has done its best as evidenced by the reasonably correct exposure of illuminated areas. The other problem is the palette: also looks quite akimbo to me -- certainly not representative of RVP100, which is richly hued (red and green channels especially). In situations of high contrast in a scene Provia 100F is recommended over either/both of the RVP emulsions.