water stripes on my film

Hi,

I just developed my first film, everything went perfectly, thanks to the advice gotten on the forum.

I did the last rinse in 500 ml distilled water + 1ml of wetting agent (amaloco brand).

I did not wipe the film with anything, they say you can get it scratched that way.

When the film was dry, I got vertical water stripes.

Why? Everywhere it says to use the wetting agent. Or should I have wiped the film? With what?

Can I re-wash the film with to take them off?

Dear pierods,

"Why?" - Good question. Assuming you used the concentration suggested by the manufacturer, I can only add one more step that I picked up from Roger Hicks. Once you hang the film, pour the wetting agent so that it washes down both sides of the film. I don't have problems with streaks, but I think it helps clear off any dust that gets picked up while transferring the film to the drying area. One other tip from Roger is to hang the film at a slight angle, if you can. This causes the excess fluid to run down the edge of the film rather than the center.

"Can I re-wash the film with to take them off?" - You should be able to re-wash the film without problem.

Neal Wydra

pierods said:

Hi,
Why? Everywhere it says to use the wetting agent. Or should I have wiped the film? With what?

Click to expand...

Even though it's against common practice I get the best results when I wipe the non-emulsion side (only) dry with a clean cloth or paper handkerchief. (Generally, I have more problems with dry marks than scratches from wiping the film.)

Regards,
Erik Ehrling (Sweden)

After the wetting agent has been used shake the spool over a sink to get rid of as much liquid as possible and when you hang it use your already wet fingers as a squeegee.Works for me!

Odd. You seem to have done everything correctly (except possibly offer up a sacrifice beforehand to the film processing gods )...

Did you agitate in the wetting agent (you should not)?

Are you sure it is drying marks? Could it be insufficient fixing or uneven development?

Try re-washing and just use distilled (no wetting agent) and see if the marks are visible on the wet film. The problem is that once salts have dried on the film, a simple wash is unlikely to remove them, but as you used distilled and wetting agent it's worth a try: it may be something else.

The two-finger-trick is one I use on roll film too sometimes - make sure your fingers are clean...

Good luck, Bob.

I stirred in the wetting agent with the center stick. I'll re-wash w/o stirring...

If you didn't agitate the wetting agent it won't be that - sometimes if you agitate a lot it froths up and can leave marks as the bubbles dry on the film later. Does not sound like that is your problem. Good luck with the re-wash...

Mike Kennedy said:

...when you hang it use your already wet fingers
as a squeegee.Works for me!

Click to expand...

I wonder at times what it is that passes for 'Works'.
Comparatively my method 'Works'. I gave drip dry
a try and found the film dries slowly, unevenly,
and warped. That method is often suggested.
Then I returned to a method that 'Works'.

Over the years and many of rolls I had used a very
inexpensive Yankee Sponge squeegee. No problems.
Because my photography has taken a more serious
turn and I wished for greater assurance I've turned
to using an eight blade Film squeegee; a Jobo but
marketed under a few brand names.

Instructions: a last distilled water half strength Photo
Flo rinse, while hanging wet thoroughly the eight blade
in the Photo Flo solution, shack off excess then apply
with even pressure drawing slowly downward. The
eight blade film squeegee is expressly designed
for film. Great help. Not cheap. Dan