What are these Streaks on my Negatives?

graciemansion · Jul 4, 2017

I've only started printing my negatives recently, and I've noticed these streaks running down the length of my film strips. You can see them on the emulsion side. They're less visible on some shots than others and only on my 35mm negatives. At first I thought they were drying marks, which I've definitely found on other negatives and I've cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol to some effect. I tried searching online but haven't found anyone with similar problems. It's really frustrating because my medium format negatives don't have them and I develop them the exact same way. Anyone know what they are and how to prevent them?

Photo Engineer · Jul 4, 2017

Try rewashing in distilled water and then a dip in DW with Photo Flo. It does look like a residue from the water.

PE

dxqcanada · Jul 4, 2017

Squeegee ?

Photo Engineer · Jul 4, 2017

Scratches then?

Sirius Glass · Jul 5, 2017

Wiping with fingers can cause scratches.

graciemansion · Jul 13, 2017

Allright, now I'm getting frustrated. I just tray developed a sheet of 4x5 film. I washed it for a few minutes in a tray with distilled water and a little bit of photo flo, agitating every 30 seconds or so, and I still had drying marks. What am I doing wrong now?

RauschenOderKorn · Jul 13, 2017

graciemansion said:
Allright, now I'm getting frustrated. I just tray developed a sheet of 4x5 film. I washed it for a few minutes in a tray with distilled water and a little bit of photo flo, agitating every 30 seconds or so, and I still had drying marks. What am I doing wrong now?

Probably nothing - sometimes these things happen for no apparent/ clearly identifiable reason. Depending on film type / fixer type / process temperature I have had problems with marks, too. Seems the local water at my place is not helping.

I have taken 2 measures:

1.) Hardening after fixing - I had problems with soft emulsion on Rollei RPX400 - which seems to have greatly increased the problem.
2.) Final wash in DW, then Photoflow bath (with DW) and then a few rounds in the salad spinner.

The film comes out wet but without any drops and dries quickly, without significant spots.

tron_ · Jul 13, 2017

Is the film drying in a similar climate (temperature + humidity) each time? I've noticed issues when drying environments change and there is more moisture in the air.

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2017

graciemansion said:
Allright, now I'm getting frustrated. I just tray developed a sheet of 4x5 film. I washed it for a few minutes in a tray with distilled water and a little bit of photo flo, agitating every 30 seconds or so, and I still had drying marks. What am I doing wrong now?

Did you use PhotoFlo or an equivalent? Do not wipe or squeegee the film. Instead use a paper towel at the corner to draw off the water.

bdial · Jul 13, 2017

How much photo-flo? a little goes a long way, and it's really easy to get too much.

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Did you use PhotoFlo or an equivalent? Do not wipe or squeegee the film. Instead use a paper towel at the corner to draw off the water.

bdial said:
How much photo-flo? a little goes a long way, and it's really easy to get too much.

Follow the directions on the bottle. There are two different types of PhotoFlo: one dilutes 200:1 and the other dilutes 600:1. Use those ratios, putting a drop or two in water is not accurate enough.

Photo Engineer · Jul 13, 2017

And the third type dilutes 1200 to one!

Sirius Glass · Jul 13, 2017

I never bought one of those.

Photo Engineer · Jul 13, 2017

I just realized.....

Two of them use propylene glycol and one uses ethylene glycol. The latter is a poison! Take care.

PE

Pat Erson · Jul 14, 2017

YMMV but I stopped having dirty negs as soon as I switched to Ilfotol diluted per maker's recommendations (1+ 200).
Use very gentle agitation and feather-light manipulation after dipping the negs into the stuff. Otherwise the agent will foam and you'll get stains on your negs.

Mark the date you 1st open it on the bottle. After 1 year it's time to dump it and buy a new one.

Saganich · Jul 14, 2017

I'm betting your using too much photoflo. After I quit using that I never had another problem with drying marks or streaking. I hang the film and squirt both side of film top to bottom with distilled water (or DI) using a fine-tip squeeze bottle.

Sirius Glass · Jul 14, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Follow the directions on the bottle. There are two different types of PhotoFlo: one dilutes 200:1 and the other dilutes 600:1. Use those ratios, putting a drop or two in water is not accurate enough.

Pat Erson said:
YMMV but I stopped having dirty negs as soon as I switched to Ilfotol diluted per maker's recommendations (1+ 200).
Use very gentle agitation and feather-light manipulation after dipping the negs into the stuff. Otherwise the agent will foam and you'll get stains on your negs.

Mark the date you 1st open it on the bottle. After 1 year it's time to dump it and buy a new one.

Saganich said:
I'm betting your using too much photoflo. After I quit using that I never had another problem with drying marks or streaking. I hang the film and squirt both side of film top to bottom with distilled water (or DI) using a fine-tip squeeze bottle.

When all else fails, RTFM and follow the directions.

pentaxuser · Jul 14, 2017

Pat Erson said:
Mark the date you 1st open it on the bottle. After 1 year it's time to dump it and buy a new one.

What goes wrong with Ilfotol after a year that makes it unusable or at least suspect to the extent of exhibiting problems? Thanks

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass · Jul 15, 2017

Pat Erson said:
Mark the date you 1st open it on the bottle. After 1 year it's time to dump it and buy a new one.

That is totally unnecessary. Ilfotol and PhotoFlo do not oxidize. You are just pouring money down the drain. Just send the money to an APGger who really needs the money.

Pat Erson · Jul 15, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
That is totally unnecessary. Ilfotol and PhotoFlo do not oxidize. You are just pouring money down the drain. Just send the money to an APGger who really needs the money.

Okay who wants a big fat check... of roughly 3 Dollars per year?
Seriously now: I never toss an "old" bottle of Ilfotol I use it for the final wash of my contact sheets. Makes 'em nice and glossy...
But yes I prefer using fresh Ilfotol for my negs (you're never too careful). And btw the one year limit is recommended by Ilford...

Photo Engineer · Jul 15, 2017

AFAIK, Kodak sets no limit on Photo Flo. And, there is nothing degradable in any of the stock solutions, but the working strength can degrade due to bacteria.

PE

MattKing · Jul 16, 2017

michael_r said:
Bottles of Photo Flo do have expiration dates printed on them.

I expect that has as much or more to do with the qualifications for ISO certification and the longevity of the bottles themselves as it does with their contents.
The old glass bottles didn't .

Photo Engineer · Jul 16, 2017

Hmmm, I never noticed the expiration date. I have several bottles of the stock solutions on my shelf too. I guess I'll have to look.

I never ever had a problem with any of them despite age.

PE

Sirius Glass · Jul 16, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
Hmmm, I never noticed the expiration date. I have several bottles of the stock solutions on my shelf too. I guess I'll have to look.

I never ever had a problem with any of them despite age.

PE

Ditto

Ditto

What are these Streaks on my Negatives?

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