Jobo 3010 drum- issue with foaming developer

[Colin Graham]

Using a 3010 with L-110 (HC-110 knock off, made by Legacy), I noticed a perfectly superimposed foam texture over the entire negatives. Almost like they were all double-exposed with shots of soap bubbles. What's striking is how well defined they are. It's faint with normal contrast- the shot above has a curve boost to make it easier to see.

I'm brand new to expert drums (this was my first attempt) but have been reading up. I added the developer while the tank is spinning, used 50-60 RPM (or as close as I could keep to it by hand), reversing every 3-4 turns, never stopped, not even for a second. Is this too much agitation? I'm using 700ml of solution. The film emulsion is facing inward.

I'll going to try a few different developers, try a pre-soak. Other suggestions would be great if anyone has them.

Nowhere in my searches have I seen issues with soapy developer. Leave it to me to invent a new screw up. Even if the developer was contaminated, or I didn't rinse the tank well enough, how can this sort of foam last long enough in such a rapidly spinning drum to leave such an indelible impression? Any ideas?

[Jim Cole]

I added the developer while the tank is spinning, used 50-60 RPM (or as close as I could keep to it by hand), reversing every 3-4 turns, never stopped, not even for a second. Is this too much agitation? I'm using 700ml of solution. The film emulsion is facing inward.

Is 50-60 rpm a typo. Did you mean 5-6 rpm? If you're doing 50-60 rmp, that may your problem.

[Colin Graham]

Interesting. Every video I've seen of a CPP/CPA in action, and posts about the proper speed indicate roughly 1/2 to 1 revolution per second. 1 revolution every 10 seconds seems pretty slow.

[Arne Croell]

Try a presoak. Those bubbles might have formed when you filled the drum, not during main processing. I always presoak with the Jobo drums. Btw, 50 rpm is ok, that is one setting of the ATL 2300 and I use it quite a lot. The equivalent 50 rpm setting for a CPP-2 is about "3.5" on the speed dial.

[Jim Cole]

I run my 3010 on a motor that gives me about 9-10 rpm with very even development. I didn't know about the recommended speed. Color me ignorant.

I agree with Arne about the prewash.

[Jon Shiu]

some reference materials:

[Colin Graham]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, pre-soak is on the list to try next. I'll try a slower speed too. 1 spin per second did seem a little aggressive, hard to keep it from surging unevenly in the rotation, even using two hands.

[ic-racer]

This is a brand new drum? Have you used the drum before? Did you wash it with soap? Did someone else wash it with soap? Try cleaning the drum well and do a test run without film.

[Colin Graham]

Yes, it was the first time I've used one. After cleaning it thoroughly I did a few practice runs. Practiced loading film, funneling solution in consistently, timing how long it would take to fill with developer and how long to drain the solutions. Also practiced getting the top on squarely so it would rotate properly. I made a roller tray, spent the extra time to level it with shims and put an anti-slip pad under it so it wouldn't move out of position. Tried to practice everything I could think of.

I never use soap on developing trays or tanks, and at no point during the cleaning or any of the practice runs did the water look soapy. The tank is used but it's in excellent shape. No leaks during processing. I even left the film in the dry tank for 10 minutes under bright room light while I answered a phone call, so it can't be a light leak- the margins are all perfectly clear.

Most developers get a little foamy if shaken really vigorously, so maybe that's all this is. I'll try a practice run with real developer to see if it gets frothy after a few minutes of this sort of agitation.

No doubt this is just a dumb goof, but I'm as interested in the artifact as the error. It's like a chemical snapshot of an single instance in the developer. Seriously, these bubbles look like I stand-developed the film in beer foam under a bug lamp. Not in a whirling, sloshing drum. Even a pinhole light leak in the drum wouldn't leave such a perfect static impression. Since it was just test film, it's kinda cool. But I imagine it'll get old soon enough!

[Ari]

Colin,
Might it be Photo-Flo? Recommendations are against using that in the Expert drums.
I fill a tray with water/Photo-Flo solution, and as the film comes out of the wash, I dip it in the tray, then hang it up to dry.

Also, I'm one of those who pre-soak every film in every tank, the 3010 is no exception; try that if just to rule it out, as others have said.