Reducing Problem

[Bill Smith]

Recently I returned from a shoot and processed my 4x5 film in Ilford Ilfotec DDX . As I never used this developer before I followed the data sheet supplied with the developer so I thought. As it turns out I read the wrong line and over devel oped my film so that is barely prints with a 00 filter.

Since I shot 2-3 negs of each scene I figured I would reduce the negative withou t worry since I subsequently processed the extra negs correctly.

I reduced the negative using a Darkroom Cookbook formula with Potassium ferrocya nide and Potassium Bromide. Under subdued light I re-developed with PMK Pyro. I figured the stain might help the highlights. The negatives looked great. The den sities were wonderful and the image printed with a grade 2 filter.

The problem is, I printed on a 16x20 sheet and when I turned on the light I foun d numerous bright spots. Like small splotches of chemicals had been scattered ac ross the negative and etched away the image. Not uniformly, but scattered random ly across the negative.

Has anyone else ever had this occur? I reduced the negative until no dark silver was visible. Perhaps I reduced too much.

Any thoughts.

Bill

[Bill Smith]

Dan,

You hit the nail on the head. I mixed up the reducer and used it about 10 minutes later.

After reading your post, I just reduced and re-developed another negative. The reducer has been sitting since I mixed it a few days ago. I hot air dried the negative and examined it on a light box with a loupe. None of the chemical spots were evident.

I guess it is true "Haste makes Waste"

Thanks for your help.