Uneven Tray Development or Light leak?

[Dignum]

Hey Guys,

I'm slowly developing film from my trip overseas. So far 2 of 8 sheets have the exact same black mark and they were both in the same holder. This is 16x20" film developed in a 20x24" tray. This camera and holders are brand new to me from Chamonix, and unfortunately I did not test them before I left. I have a total of 3 holders... Hopefully no more suprises. I'm hoping this is just uneven development but again I'm using a 20x24 inch tray so edge unevenness shouldn't be a problem. What do you think?

Shane Dignum

[Dignum]

Here's the second sheet...

[Dignum]

And here's a closer look. It doesn't start exactly on the edge..

[Wayne]

You're not giving us very clear views, all of them have windows, color backgrounds, liquids, etc competing for attention.

But it isn't light leaks, thats for sure. What kind of film and what are you developing in? First and second pic looks like contamination to me.

[ic-racer]

Obviously development can't make the film black unless it is exposed to light first. Either the film holders, the camera or the area between them leak light. It is coming from the side near the darkslide slot. Was the film holder pushed in all the way and engaged properly.

[Jim C.]

+1
Took me a while to see what you are referring to. Did you remove the dark slide completely out of the film holder ?
If you pulled the dark slide out and let it rest in the slot you may have caused a light leak, the dark edge is angled.

And I must say that's a huge sheet of film !

[Dignum]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll post another photo once the film dries. I always pull the dark slide completely out of the holder before making an exposure. And yes, the holder was definitely fully inserted into the camera. The dark area is where the slot for the dark slide is located. This is FP4+ developed in HC-110. I should also mention I've never had any issues with my 8x10 for 6 years, so it's probably not user error. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't simply uneven development before I waste more film to figure out which holder has the issue.

[Dignum]

[Tracy Storer]

ULF is NOT 8x10. It is really necessary to keep a darkcloth over the camera to shield the end of the holder when you withdraw and replace the darkslide. Not generally necessary with 8x10, but it is Standard Operating Procedure for ULF, new holders or not, doesn't matter, it is too long an opening with too little material strength under too little spring pressure to RELIABLY keep the darkslide slot tight. I suggest this for all ULF formats, it is extra work, but when the film is $20 or more per exposure, that's how it is done.
Sometimes it is a good idea to also rotate the back of the camera AWAY from light sources IN ADDITION to shielding with a darkcloth.
Hope the rest of your sheets don't have too many problems.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll post another photo once the film dries. I always pull the dark slide completely out of the holder before making an exposure. And yes, the holder was definitely fully inserted into the camera. The dark area is where the slot for the dark slide is located. This is FP4+ developed in HC-110. I should also mention I've never had any issues with my 8x10 for 6 years, so it's probably not user error. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't simply uneven development before I waste more film to figure out which holder has the issue.

[sanking]

ULF is NOT 8x10. It is really necessary to keep a darkcloth over the camera to shield the end of the holder when you withdraw and replace the darkslide. Not generally necessary with 8x10, but it is Standard Operating Procedure for ULF, new holders or not, doesn't matter, it is too long an opening with too little material strength under too little spring pressure to RELIABLY keep the darkslide slot tight. I suggest this for all ULF formats, it is extra work, but when the film is $20 or more per exposure, that's how it is done.
Sometimes it is a good idea to also rotate the back of the camera AWAY from light sources IN ADDITION to shielding with a darkcloth.
Hope the rest of your sheets don't have too many problems.

+1.

I was going to add that taking a trip with a new ULF camera and expecting to get good results is the definition of optimism. Did that myself in 2002 with a new 12X20 camera, and exposed some 200+ negatives in Spain. Swiss Air destroyed about half of the negatives, of the remaining half about 40% had light leaks because the holders were not seated correctly in the back. I should have known better since I was fairly experienced with ULF at the time, but a brand new camera inspires an excess of optimism.

Fortunately, I made duplicate shots of most of the scenes, in color, with a Fuji 6X9 cm camera!!

Sandy