Type 55 blank negs -- arrrgghh!

[Colin Corneau]

Alright, "arrrgghh" isn't a word exactly but it sure sums up my feelings after processing 2 sheets yesterday to get precisely -- nada.

Blank, totally. Print was black. I shot @ EI25 one week earlier, pulled paper out properly when exposing, put back in properly, and stored at room temp. until yesterday.

I pulled sheets through the (closed) Polaroid 545 holder at medium speed, waited the recommended 35 seconds, and peeled the paper back to see -- blank blue neg.

The paste is spread over the neg properly, and this batch is from one of 3 boxes I have that were the last run so it's not outdated. They were refridgerated (but never frozen) lying on their side.

Any ideas on this? I have about 5 more sheets from the shoot that I really, truly don't want to see ruined.

 

[Vaughn]

No exposure -- might be due to the "grabber" in the film holder not grabbing the clip when you pull the tab to expose the film. If the chemical pod was bad, you would not be getting a black (fully developed) print.

Double check when you pull the tab to get the film ready to expose -- put you fingers on the envelope/sleeve where the drawing says not to. You should not feel the pod -- if the grabber is doing its thing, the film and the pod stay in the holder and only the sleeve is drawn out of the holder.

I have some very old Type 55 I work with occasionally -- some of it has the sleeve stuck to the film and I have to loosen it up before I can use it. Might be a little bit of moisture from its stay in the fridge.

Vaughn

 

[glbeas]

Shoot them then take the film to the darkroom and process in regular chemistry. Search the forums for the film type, theres been discussions on this before.

 

[nickandre]

If the print is black you're getting complete development which could be due to nothing other than no exposure. If you shutter fired then you're grabber is what's wrong.

 

[Jim Edmond]

When you pull the envelope out to make the exposure, lightly feel the pod area. If you feel a bulge, the clip hasn't held the negative in place.

 

[Denis K]

Loaded backwards?

Pushed film in but didn't withdraw film cover during exposure?

Not that I would have ever done one of the above. Surely not! Believe me. Really. Trust me.

 

[keithwms]

Let me suggest sacrificing one sheet and with that, go through the whole loading, darkslide pulling, reclipping, and unloading procedure while looking at the film. My concern is that the clipping mechanism may not be working right, in which case when you pull the paper darkslide, you pull the film along with it. Is that possible in this case? I have had all manner of frustrations with the clipping/reclipping mechanism. The usual thing is that the little ridge that pokes up to retain the clip doesn't grab well enough.

Frankly I have seen just about ever kind of problem (like this) with the polaroid holders. The design is no good IMHO. At their very best, i.e. when using a brand new holder and fresh film, I was still getting annoying little issues. Can't count how many times I had to dismantle one of my holders on the spot. I became pretty good at it actually, I can now do it in about 5 seconds :rolleyes:

Could also be that your pods are no good, but I've never had a sheet come out completely blank because of that, normally you just get a crappy looking neg!

Of course, do be sure it has something to do with your holder and not your shutter

 

[Colin Corneau]

Folks,
It seems the neg not getting exposed in the first place is the issue here, based on the (always terrific) advice.
I'll gamble a sheet to see if my pulling technique or a crap holder is the issue here.
In which case I'll be on the hunt for a good condition holder!
Many thanks

 

[wildbill]

jiggle it to make sure it's in the grabber, make sure you hear the click.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Loaded backwards?

Pushed film in but didn't withdraw film cover during exposure?

Not that I would have ever done one of the above. Surely not! Believe me. Really. Trust me.

Yeah, I wouldn't know about either of those either. Really. Trust me.

 

[removed account4]

Folks,
It seems the neg not getting exposed in the first place is the issue here, based on the (always terrific) advice.
I'll gamble a sheet to see if my pulling technique or a crap holder is the issue here.
In which case I'll be on the hunt for a good condition holder!
Many thanks

colin

if you need a different holder
look for a #500 film holder
they sell for almost nothing
( maybe the 545's do these days too ? )

http://www.skgrimes.com/about/545/index.htm
shows an easy way to fix a 545 holder
if the grabby thing stopped grabbing ...

john

 

[Colin Corneau]

john, many thanks!

Honestly, I'm halfway tempted to just sell the 2.5 boxes I have, with the Polaroid clearing pail, holder etc. for a Hassy 501 CM and 60mm since I seem to be evolving into a MF shooter to a great degree. I really want to know this film but also don't want to destroy a precious endangered species.