Yellow stain on negatives not solved by re-fixing

[markaudacity]

I just developed a roll of Tri-X that upon inspection showed yellow fogging around the sprocket holes. Assuming this was inadequate fixation, I re-spooled the film and re-fixed for ten minutes with no improvement.

The negatives are largely clear, but have a slight yellow mottling that is pronounced around the sprocket holes and at the cut ends of the film.

What gives?

 

[snapguy]

yellow?

Hummm. Seems to me the sign of inadequate fixing should be a milky, cloudy look, not yellow. Have you washed the film properly after fixing?

 

[Xmas]

load and unload in shade keep cassette in dark agitate between dev and fix use two fix baths still get similar ocassionally...

 

[markaudacity]

I use two fix baths to make sure I get adequate fixation. The stain is primarily on one edge of the film, so I am wondering if my daylight-loading Jobo tank may have a small light leak.

 

[Xmas]

Borrow different tank or load and use tank in darkroom.

 

[jochen]

Hello,
maybe a dichoitic fog caused by contaminated dirty reels in the tank. Residues of fixer in the developer can cause dichroitic fog.

 

[Photo Engineer]

If you underfix and underwash, then expose to light you can get a yellow stain. This is Silver metal and cannot be removed from the film.

That is my first thought reading this.

PE

 

[markaudacity]

Photo Engineer , I believe you're right. I played with the Jobo day load tank some more, and it appears that if the center tube that slices the film off the spool isn't screwed down to the stop, it allows a light leak along the bottom edge of the reel, which corresponds exactly with the marks on my film.

Thanks to everyone who offered their expertise and advice! I had seen this once before, years ago with this tank, then not again until recently, so it's good to track down the source of the problem once and for all.