What am I doing wrong (Help with development)

I'm developing HP5 in HC110.
It has been 3 rolls now, and I'm getting consistent results. There is something wrong when I'm developing 35mm. However I'm not noticing these problems when I develop 4x5 film.

Problem: I'm getting an usual circular fade ghosting effect in one specific area of most frames. It is possible that some frames have the same problem, but due to the tone of the picture, it isn't as obvious. It is always in the same place.

Description: This is a problem when I develop 35mm film. I don't get the ghosting effect when I develop 4x5 film. Refer to the picture to see the effect i'm trying to describe. Notice the top of the traffic light. Note that I use an identical development process in terms of temperture control, aggigtation etc.

Possible causes:
- it is more difficult to regulate temperture with a small volume of developer (300mm vs 1 litre). So the temperture is not consistent.
- Not enough aggigation. I aggigtate very very gently with 4x5 film. I am using a simialr aggigtation process. Perhaps I need to aggigate more aggressively for 35mm film.
- There is a weird light leak in my camera.
- The film is touching each other when I load it. (I don't think this is the problem because the ghosting is very gradual.)

What do you think?
I apprecaite your help.

I'm going to guess it's a problem with the 35mm camera or its lens. Do you have another lens you can try?

Duncan

It definitely looks like a light leak in your camera. I have experienced a similar effect but with an other patern with my Hasselblad camera. Then it was the light seal in the film magazine that was broken. What your problem is depending on is difficult to say as the bright spot is so difuse. I guess the stray light is reflected in something, else the spot would be more distinct. Good luck in finding the leak.

Karl-Gustaf

Its obvious flare from either the camera lens or a light leak, definitly camera/lens, not development.

How might flare appear different from a light leak?

ive noticed this on thr past 3 rolls of film. All were part of a teating series for exposure and development times. each roll has 6 sets of 6 images with a range of exposures. if one picture in the set has this leak or flare, the entire set was inflicted.
That being said, not all sets had this problem. Some had a similar tonal area hiding the flare? Or it really was flare.

Your thougts?
With appreciation

Tell us about the camera and lens(es) used for testing. Was a particular lens used for some, not for others. Also, tell us about the developing tank used. If it's plastic, is the core inserted properly, any cracks (or holes). Were you shooting toward any light sources or reflective surfaces. More info please.

In my limited experience flare differs from a light leak in one respect: Both flare and light leaks cause parts of the image to appear overexposed, but
flare affects a greater area of the image than a light leak - a light leak is usually localized in one small area of the picture. I'd suggest you check the back door of your camera for a broken light seal. I have an old medium format folder with several holes in the bellows that caused a similar effect. But even with the leaky bellows the flare wasn't obvious in all pictures.

Carsten

Spots from lens flare would generally move around, unless the lens has some defect like a chip or a scratch that is causing it.
Spots that are stationary are less likely to be flare, but are probably either a light leak or a reflection from some bright spot in the light path.

From the frame you're showing it could equally be flare or a light leak. It looks like the sun is behind the traffic light, and that would be the ideal situation for getting flare especially with an older, perhaps uncoated lens.

Examine the camera with the lens mounted and the shutter open and look for places that might be shiny.
If the spot is caused by a light leak, it's likely pretty small, and is probably a pinhole in the shutter. If you haven't narrowed things down to a bright spot or flare, try loading the camera and take it out in bright sun, with the lens off. Advance a few frames through the camera by firing the shutter with the lens on and a lens cap on. If you camera has mirror lock up (assuming it's a 35 mm SLR) use the mirror lock up. If you have any density on those frames, then a light leak is the cause.

The bright spot is probably a flare or a light leak. However, that bright circle right under the tree branches quite in the middle looks more like a development or scan problem to me. It has happened to me too, so it would be nice if anyone could explain that.

I've added a new set to my filckr called light leaks.

The problem area, in landscape mode, is the top centre area.
The problem area, in portrait orientation, is the middle left side.

- There are a few sets where the light leak is very obvious. i.e. the traffic lights and the test target.
- There are a few sets where the light leak is quite difficult to notice. i.e. the tiled building.
- some don't have any apparent leak
- and some conviently have a very light tone that hides any possible leak.

A new fact that I forgot to mention, that came up when someone mentioned it, My lens is a 40mm f/1.4 single coat. To my understanding this may cause more flare. I also use a uncoated UV filter. This can also add to the flare. right? Is it flare? Plus no hood.

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