Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => The Wet Darkroom => Topic started by: stevegoldenberg on June 03, 2019, 10:06:51 pm

Title: Help tracking down errors processing Scala Reversal Film
Post by: stevegoldenberg on June 03, 2019, 10:06:51 pm
I processed rolls of Scala B&W reversal film recently and they were all screwed up. See the attached frames, there is a pattern in the same place on the first three images with different splotches that look like bright light points. It also looks more like a negative than a positive in those spots.

Image one: https://photography.stevegoldenberg.com/Private-Portfolio/Film-Examples/n-7qRKrQ/i-8SCdLD6/A
Image two: https://photography.stevegoldenberg.com/Private-Portfolio/Film-Examples/n-7qRKrQ/i-bwZqHGb/A
Image three, it almost looks like solarized film in spots: https://photography.stevegoldenberg.com/Private-Portfolio/Film-Examples/n-7qRKrQ/i-ZJLvbct/A

I am trying to track down my problem, if it was film handling (I flew on a couple flights with it and it went through check-in-bag X-rays a couple times), expiration (film expired in March 2019) or if I did something wrong with processing. Or all of the above. I used the Foma B&W reversal kit. Any advice would be awesome.
Title: Re: Help tracking down errors processing Scala Reversal Film
Post by: John Nollendorfs on June 07, 2019, 06:14:52 pm
Would help to know if all these were processed at same time? Did you use Nikkor reels and tanks? Looks like a problem with airbells? Did you give the tank a few sharp raps on the table top after each solution? Just a few things to think about. Have you had similar problems in developing regular negaives?
Title: Re: Help tracking down errors processing Scala Reversal Film
Post by: Rob C on June 17, 2019, 06:22:46 am
Film isn't always manufactured perfectly.

Rob
Title: Re: Help tracking down errors processing Scala Reversal Film
Post by: stevegoldenberg on June 24, 2019, 09:39:12 am
I think I tracked the problem down to old Bleach. The film has been fine in previous runs and it was only expired by a couple months, but it sounds like bleach can be fickle.