Uneven development with rotary processing

I sometimes get these streaks on my larger negatives since I switched to rotary processing...can someone tell me what I am doing wrong?

- Delta 100 4x5 developed in Xtol (1+1) for 7min 45sec @ 20C
- Jobo 2560 drum and Jobo 2509 reels
- Unicolor rotary base
- 800ml total solution used (400ml stock + 400ml water) - Jobo recommends 730ml for rotation with the 2560 tank
- No presoak
- Ilford stop bath (30 sec) and fixer (5 min.) @ 20C
- Final rinse for about 12 minutes in the tank on the rotary base (5 water changes) @ about 20C
- Hang to dry
- Scanned on Epson V700 with stock holders

I have the older type of 2509 reels, not the 2509n type with the flaps that are supposed to improve the liquid flow. I've noticed that the edge of my film sheet has a tendency to curl when mounted on the reel...would it be possible that with the rotation it cause an overflow about an inch from the edge where the uneven development occur? When looking at the negative, it looks like overdevelopment.

Thanks!

Try a touch of photoflo in your Dev, or do a presoak with it. It should go away.

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Is the drum rotating when you pour in the chemistry?

You are only putting in 4 per reel -- right?

Thanks for the answers everyone!

mrred : I thought about doing a presoak...it solved my problem with uneven development when doing prints on the same setup. I will try the photoflo next time.

ic-racer : it is not rotating, but the pouring doesn't take more than 5 seconds.

Bob Eskridge : this time I had 2 sheets on the reel, but I had this happen with 4 or 6 sheets also.

Just don't use too much. Just a very small drop. It doesn't take much to work.

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mrred said:

Try a touch of photoflo in your Dev, or do a presoak with it. It should go away.

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Click to expand...

But uneven wetting with a streak spared would lead to more density in the positive.

Jobo recommends presoaking all films unless one is developing with XTOL. That may help you avoid that streak. Also after washing remove the film from the tank and reel and rinse in PhotoFlo or and equivalent.

I've been shooting 4x5 Delta 100 and developing in Xtol 1+1 with Jobo rotary processing for a few years now. What I've learned:

1) Do NOT pre soak but pre temper, which means run the drum with film in it in 68-70 degree water bath, for five minutes, and fill (while turning) with 9 Oz. (260 Ml) Working strength Xtol of 68-70 degree.

2) NEVER add any foreign chemistry to the developer. It works just fine as it is.

3) I do two to 6 negatives at a time in the 2501 drum with 9 Oz of developer -- One Shot.

4) Never had your problem.

I only got this with a presoak and this looks like that to me.a water streak,reventing developer to get to the emulsion. stop the nutty presoak or try the photoflow trick mentioned above and you'll be fine.

Sirius Glass said:

Jobo recommends presoaking all films unless one is developing with XTOL. That may help you avoid that streak. Also after washing remove the film from the tank and reel and rinse in PhotoFlo or and equivalent.

Click to expand...

a pre-soak doesn't solve uneven development;it causes it in my experience.and if a pre-soak is used,it should be at least 5 minutes,otherwise,it does more harm than good. as a simple test try thislace a water drop on the undeveloped emulsion for a minute or so.Then ,soak it up and develop the film. You'll see that development will be reduced where the water drop was placed, because, the developer had a tougher time getting to the wet emulsion.So, unless you can guarantee an even presoak. You'll get uneven development. So much for a presoak helping with even development.

RalphLambrecht said:

I only got this with a presoak and this looks like that to me.a water streak,reventing developer to get to the emulsion. stop the nutty presoak or try the photoflow trick mentioned above and you'll be fine.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I didn't do any presoak for now, as I tried to follow Kodak's recommandations. I will let you know if the photoflo trick works for me!