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Thread: Processing Troubles

  1. #1
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    Processing Troubles

    Just this month I now have a Kodak 2D 8x10 and a SP810 tank. I've made three attempts at processing some FP4+ in the SP810. I have been using the SP445 for the past year and consistently got great results with it. For the first round with the SP810 I did four sheets FP4+ 4x5 sheets. They came out OK. I only used 475ml instead of 500ml fluid, mainly because my measuring cylinder is marked for use with the SP445 and I forgot. I next tried processing two sheets of 8x10 FP4+, and those didn't come out so well. I think the problem was I used an uncoated Dagor 240mm lens and pointed it south on a sunny day. Sure looked like a lot of flare going on. Second pair was shot on a heavy overcast day. One shot was taken Nikon 300mm f9 M, the second with a 300mm Velostigmat c.1930. I had a light leak with the first shot on one corner and I'm assuming I didn't insert the holder correctly. Second shot had all kinds of weirdness going on. I'm not sure what it's from. Thinking back I did up the fluid from 475ml to 500ml (distilled water and HC110.) I sort of guessed at how much HC110 to add and filled the syringe with just a bit more than what I had marked for 475ml. Water temp was 69 F so I set the timer for 7:30 minutes. Checking the temp of the fluid right before I dumped it I found it to be 73 F. Not sure why it gained four degrees in less than 7 minutes. Did two stop baths with tap water like I always do, used PF 4 fixer (fresh batch) for 5 minutes as I always do. Negative came out with weird areas that should have been white (frosted rock wall to the right of the waterfall.) Not sure what caused this--haven't seen it before. I narrowed it down to either too long a time developing for the temperature + too much HC110, or my agitation wasn't correct. I did four lifts of the tray every 30s, or about 10-15s agitation every 30s. I do full inversions with the SP445 which is much more intensive.

    So, any ideas?


    Kent in SD
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails K2Dfalls1m.jpg   K2Dfalls2m.jpg  
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  2. #2

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    It’s a little hard to tell what’s going on, but it seems like the first picture looks correctly processed minus the light leak and the scanner is trying to correct for the extra density in the area of the light leak. The second looks like some of my negatives where I didn’t agitate enough. Having just started with 8x10 recently(maybe 30 sheets in), taking notes is extremely important especially when it comes to processing. There is nothing worse for me than taking the time to setup a shot only to not process it correctly. It might help to post pictures of the negatives.

  3. #3

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    Looks like uneven development, and overdevelopment, you could try a presoak for a couple of minutes, correct temperature water, and a pinch of sodium metaborate.

  4. #4

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    yeah, the whites look very dull. is these neg scans or prints ? possible to see the negatives ?
    notch codes ? I only use one film...

  5. #5

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    You need to tighten up your procedures if you want tests to mean anything. Seeing how "approximate" your procedures are I suspect the temperature gain is from that same approach and not allowing enough time for the thermometer to adjust in the first trial. What was the temperature of the added water? Guessing at amounts of developer concentrate to add can easily lead to unexpected results.

  6. #6

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    I've found, when developing sheet film in a tank, that a 5-minute presoak in a dilute Kodalk solution helps eliminate uneven development (like DMS206 says above).
    Agitation at less frequent intervals helps with that too. And as Mr. Noel says, consistent and correct technique is vital... although I have had to re-learn that lesson many times myself.

  7. #7

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    Re: Processing Troubles

    There may be nothing wrong with your processing... If you have a light leak and the scanner is somehow adjusting for that extra density, what we're seeing is no indication of what's really on the negative. How about a photo of the negatives themselves (edges included) on a light table?

    Doremus

  8. #8
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    Re: Processing Troubles

    Don't have a light table big enough for 8x10, but is there a way to turn my computer monitor white and tape negs to that? Could then photo with my Nikon D850 and 105mm macro. I did pretty much everything with the SP810 that I've been successfully doing with the SP445 for the past year, with exception of agitation. I assumed I could simply begin shooting 8x10 and processing the same way I've been doing 4x5 and 5x7 for the past 20 years but something is throwing me a curve ball. Will tighten up on the chemical mixing and water temp and see where that gets me.


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  9. #9

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    Jan 2017
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    Re: Processing Troubles

    Kent,

    You could open your email client and maximize it to get a white screen on your computer. If you're on a Windows computer, try opening Notepad full screen. Either of those should give you a white background and a down and dirty light table.

  10. #10

    Join Date
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    Re: Processing Troubles

    create a text document and make it full size on your screen. I do this if I'm processing on the road. or create a new PS image with white background.
    notch codes ? I only use one film...

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