I just finished open tray development of 4 sheets of 4X5 TMX and discovered 1 mottled area of underdevelopment on three of the four. The spots were circumscribed, oval or roundish, perhaps 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size, and of variably lower density than the surround. It is as if the developer didn't reach these areas to the same extent as the rest of the negative.
My technique is as follows: 1 minute pre-soak (shuffled twice in tap water to initiate the pre-soak), then constant agitation in Xtol 1+2, followed by the usual acid stop bath, fix, wash aid and wash. The Xtol was mixed fresh 18 hours prior to use. This technique has served me well for hundreds of negatives in the past.
Thanks to all for any insight into this problem.
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