Help - 4x5 Negative Developing Issue - Looking for Ideas

[tacomaken]

Hello -
I am struggling to understand what might be going on with my developing, and am looking for suggestions on what I should be looking for to solve the issue. The image was taken using Fomapan 100 classic. This image was using a Crown Graphic with a 150mm 6.3 lens at f/32 for 1/15 second.

Developed with Cinestill DF96 monobath at the recommended 80 degrees F. The developer is unexpired and had just 3 35mm rolls and 2 4x5 sheeds developed in it previously. It has been open about 2 weeks and kept at room temperature. I developed using a Patterson tank with MOD54 sheet holder and developed six sheets. Same issue on each sheet. I pre-rinsed with 80-degree F tap water until the water ran clear, then developed for 4 minutes 15 seconds, rinsed for 10 minutes. I then did a final rinse with photo flow (about 3 drops per 2 Liters of 80-degree water. I used tap water that is not considered hard water (Tacoma area water from local river watershed). This has also happened in a Stearman tank.

Thank you for your ideas.
.

[paulbarden]

My guess is that Cinestill monobath isn't a good match for this film.

[tacomaken]

Thank you - I'm planning on trying a more standard approach with D76 on the next images. I wondered the same as you suggested. - K

[nolindan]

You might try fixing the film. As in, worth a shot, not much to lose.

[tacomaken]

You might try fixing the film. As in, worth a shot, not much to lose.

I'll give that a go. Thank you.

[koraks]

It looks like an agitation issue, but I'm sure that the use of a monobath has exacerbated the problem. Rest assured that you can get pretty nice and even development with the mod54 and fomapan 100 using a normal developer and fixer.
I did use to have issues with unevenness along the edges of the film where the mod54's "claws" hold the film. I never really solved that issue because I moved to Jobo and tray processing fairly soon.

[lenshustle]

the cinestill monobath is very very very temperamental.

Some films need special treatment to get it right, but in the long run its best and cheapest to use a real film developer.

[j enea]

i have seen a lot of recent posts over the last few months in many different places with development issues and monobaths. hmmm, is there a correlation here? never really understood why people use it. is there something that it does that other normal development and fix don't/can't do besides saving a few minutes?

john

[jnantz]

warm chemicals and processing for less than 5 minutes can always lead to problems. I've never used cinestil but hear good things about it, is there any way you can use it at a colder temperature and develop for a longer length of time? good luck!

[Bernice Loui]

Give up the monolith developer, use a traditional developer with a development time of no less than 6-7 minutes..
Development tank used and agitation are other factors..

Why f32 as the exposure aperture?

Bernice