What happened here? Low Contrast and Muddy

[Geoffsco]

I rarely have issues processing film, and am unsure what caused today's poor result, as there were a few unknowns. The results were low contrast, with muddy tones. The edge of the film around the sprocket holes is very dark, I'm guessing it is most likely that my film is fogged? It was in a bulk film loader I bought, so I have no idea how old it is, or how it has been stored.

I used FP4+, R09 1:50 for 9 mins.

My fixer was near the end of its life, though worked fine earlier in the week, I noticed the state of the film after about five minutes of it being out of the tank. I mixed a fresh batch of fixer, and gave it an extra 10 mins.

This was the first roll with a 'new' to me but well used camera and lens. Not encouraging, though it couldn't be the cause.

 

[Athiril]

Try fixing one more time.

It seems completely odd that film in a bulk loader would be fogged equally on both sides of the film like that but not so much in the middle.

I find FP4+ in Rodinal 'R09' 1+100 at 20min for EI 50/64 and 25min for EI250, agitation every ~3 min is just right.

 

[Anscojohn]

If you continue to use that film (and, for myself, I would give it a few more attempts) try HC110, which has a reputation for good results with outdated film. Or try some Potassium Bromide restrainer in the film developor. Do tests.
It is my understanding (My memory may be false) that film ages first on the edges.