Black Spots

greenspun.com : LUSENET : B&W Photo - Film & Processing : One Thread

My last roll of Ilford Delta 400(new),35mm 36 exp, has some puzzling opaque black spots on one or two frames. They almost look like the type of pinhole that is evident on Kodalith type films. Film was developed in XTOL 1:1, at 75 deg F, I use Indicator stop bath at 1/2 recommended dilution, Fixed in a hardening fixer, treated in Orbit Bath, washed for 10 min, treated with photo-flo and air dried. My question is: Could the stop bath be too strong especially for an emulsion sofetened in 75 Deg developer for several minutes, causing the pinholes. I must say that these pinholes dont look like the stop bath induced pinholes I am accostomed to seeing (I had pinhole problems before but halving the stop bath dilution fixed it for Tri X, Plus X and old Delta 400). These are perfectly round with a very sharp edge. I don't think they are air bells because they are opaque and I give the developing tank many hard raps during processing. Any suggestions?

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), October 01, 2001

Answers

Pinholes are clear areas in the emulsion. Black spots are usually something that has gotten on the emulsion. Maybe using distilled water or getting a good water filter can prevent it in the future. We would need to see the negs to get a better idea as to what the spots may be.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), October 02, 2001.

When I refered to black spots they are on the print so I am assuming that there are clear pinholes on the neg. I'm sorry I was misleading.

-- Robert Orofino (Minotaur1949@iopener.net), October 02, 2001.

Ilford recommends no stop baths for their films now. Rapidly changing water instead.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), October 03, 2001.

I've had the same problem. I always use distilled when mixing developer and fixer, and use a plain water stop. The clear spots only seem to occur on the best negatives!

-- John Fleetwood (johnfleetwood@hotmail.com), October 03, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ