What have I done wrong: strange artifact on some frames..

wanderer_68 · Jul 20, 2024

hello everybody,
I just finished scanning a roll of Portra 160 (home processed with Bellini C41 kit in stainless steel tank).
Some of my pictures have this very strange artifact:

So the question for me is what have I done wrong during the C41 process?
Thanks in advance for your answers and your help
I wish you a good afternoon
Alain

thedancefloor · Jul 20, 2024

Maybe the film wasn't spooled onto the spools perfectly?

Ian Grant · Jul 20, 2024

Looks like some kind of contamination. Just check it is fully bleach-fixed.

thedancefloor said:
Maybe the film wasn't spooled onto the spools perfectly?

If that was the case, and the film was touching on the spiral, you would get the exact opposite.

Ian

wanderer_68 · Jul 20, 2024

thedancefloor said:
Maybe the film wasn't spooled onto the spools perfectly?

Ian Grant said:
Looks like some kind of contamination. Just check it is fully bleach-fixed.

If that was the case, and the film was touching on the spiral, you would get the exact opposite.

Ian

Ok, how do I check if it's fully bleach/fixed? What would be the indicator it is not the case?
could it be that my chemistry is getting too old?
I openned it about 3 weeks ago.
I did already 12 rolls with the first bottle of developper and I bought a second on on which I did 9 rolls (this one is number 9).
So the Bleach and the fixer have been use to process 21 rolls so far...

Thank you very much in advance for your answers

Ian Grant · Jul 20, 2024

If it's the bleach/fix there could be silver left in the emulsion, on drying and scanning this will darken. Try re-bleaching, increase the time, then re-fix.

Ian

wanderer_68 · Jul 20, 2024

Ian Grant said:
If it;'s the bleach/fix there could be silver left in the emulsion, on drying and scanning this will darken. Try re-bleaching, increase the time, then re-fix.

Ian

Ok, I will try and I'll let you know

wanderer_68 · Jul 20, 2024

Ian Grant said:
If it's the bleach/fix there could be silver left in the emulsion, on drying and scanning this will darken. Try re-bleaching, increase the time, then re-fix.

Ian

So, I just tried, I double the times recommended by Bellini and nothing changed...
Could it be bubbles during the development time?

MattKing · Jul 20, 2024

It could be a light leak.

Ian Grant · Jul 20, 2024

No it is not air bubbles, as I said initially it looks like some kind of contamination. As Matt says it could be a light leak, or possible stray light from an LED in the darkroom.

Ian

wanderer_68 · Jul 20, 2024

Ian Grant said:
No it is not air bubbles, as I said initially it looks like some kind of contamination. As Matt says it could be a light leak, or possible stray light from an LED in the darkroom.

Ian

For the light leak, I doubt it. I don't have a light room and I use a charging bag. And do that in a room with very low light.
And not from the camera as I have processed another film I shoot with it (film was shot after the one with issues)
So probably a contamination indeed...
I will process anothe roll later and see what is going on...

BrianShaw · Jul 20, 2024

I, too, have been seeing some similar artifacts lately with 120 Kodak Gold 200 and commercial processing. It's not regular but seems to be 1 frame per roll. And it too often seems to be the "best frame". Light leaks have been discounted and I'm in the process of eliminating weird glare from a spot on my lens hood where the black wore down to bare metal... which I think is a long shot but I'm out of guesses.

What have I done wrong: strange artifact on some frames..

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