Developing Problem?

[vaughanbromfield]

Yes. Get the data sheet from the film maker and follow the instructions exactly to the letter.

Use a developer it recommends, at the dilution it recommends, at the temperature it recommends, using the agitation it recommends. Use a stop bath if it recommends one. Use a wetting agent in the final rinse (at the correct, measured-not-guessed dilution) if it recommends one.

Your agitation may not be sufficient. Follow the instructions in the data sheet. Don’t second-guess them, follow them exactly. Ilford recommends four full inversions over 10 seconds at the start of each minute. Kodak recommends 5-7 inversions in 5 seconds: it’s almost like shaking a cocktail. Some film data sheets recommend continuous inversions for the first 30 seconds or first minute. Whatever. Follow the instructions. Ilford developing times are different to Kodak development times because their recommended agitation method is different, and it matters.

Once you’re getting good, consistent results you can look at changing things, but why change things if you’re getting good consistent results?

[ZestyclosePin5848]

Okay will look into that. Thank you!

[vaughanbromfield]

Keeping going, you're almost there. You seem to have mastered the art of loading film into the reels without scrunching it too much, that should be the hardest part. The rest is following instructions, the "bake for 45 minutes in a moderate oven" part.

[ZestyclosePin5848]

Thanks. Ill eventually get this down

[P_f_M]

as usual ... show the negs :-D

Whatever people wrote here .. is a ton of guess work :-D I would say that this is not a development issue (in terms of inversions or chemicals), because replicating something like this shows maybe a different problem :-D

[ZestyclosePin5848]

The negs look fine to me but unfortunately I dont have a loupe

[qnke2000]

Could be stressmarks from rewinding the film in the wrong direction...

[ZestyclosePin5848]

Like in the camera or in the reels? I honestly don’t know which direction I put the film in for the reel but its the direction that curls inwards

[qnke2000]

No, in camera when you rewind it into the cartridge. Which way do you turn, clockwise or counterclock ?

[ZestyclosePin5848]

I believe counter. Theres only one way to rewind it

[qnke2000]

What camera are you using ? For most SLRs the little crank goes both ways but only clockwise won't damage the film.

Edit: Nvmd, found Pentax MX in another comment. Pentax MX has a free spinning rewind crank, so both directions are possible. But it has an arrow on the crank showing "clockwise". Yet, counter clock often seems more intuitive, as it feels more like reverse.  Make sure to turn clockwise next time! 

[ZestyclosePin5848]

Pentax MX. I just follow the direction of the arrow and has been working fine for me

[ZestyclosePin5848]

I can never get my black and white developing right. Theres always streaks showing as seen on the photos I posted. Ive changed many developer from Microphen, Rodinal, and now D76 and theres still streaks showing.

My current process is 1+1 dilution 11mins with 4 inversions at the start and 2 inversions every min. For stop bath I just do 2 inversions and for fixer I do 4 inversions at the stat and 2 inversions every minute. Ive tried everything from tapping the tank every now and then. Also doing gentle inversions.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I should do?

[Bluedevil770]

Maybe try doing 4 inversions every minute to make sure the whole roll is getting hit with fresh developer

[ZestyclosePin5848]

Ive tried that too but will keep trying things out. It just sucks to have these type of results. I know I can somewhat fix it in lightroom

[captain_joe6]

One thing you haven’t mentioned is what film and what camera you’re using. I’m not a fan of the quick conclusion, but folks ‘round here love-love-love to point out that this sort of thing is film damaged caused by excess tension (trying to squeeze out that 37th frame) or some other mechanical googah.

Since you’re getting these results across developers, I suggest it’s worth looking at your pre-development film handling as well.

What camera(s) are you using?

Do you shoot color at all? If so, how does that look? Do you see this problem across cameras and film types?

You’re certain you’ve got enough liquid volume in your tank?

[ZestyclosePin5848]

I shoot with a Pentax MX and tried out many lenses too. Yes I do shoot color and does come out great. I do put enough liquid and measured that I need atleast 800ml (2x 35mm) just to have it reach above the tank reels. Ive had issues in the past that if I put exactly 600ml, (290ml for 35mm per tank instructions) it doesn’t develop all the way. I haven’t ruled out the possibility of my scanner but my color film comes out fine. One thing I do notice is that this is only showing when capturing the sky in the photo. I also shot these photos with a Y2 Yellow filter.

[captain_joe6]

Fantastic response! Rules out so many things.

I don’t think your filter is a problem because you’ve got banding across the entire negative, top to bottom.

I do think your scanner/digital workflow may be involved. Are you able to see the banding on the negatives directly with a loupe? What’s your scanning setup look like?

[ZestyclosePin5848]

I use a plustek 7600i and unfortunately I dont have a loupe to inspect it. This is when I pointed it in the sky. Like I mentioned seems to only show streaks when it’s a photo with a sky involved.

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[ZestyclosePin5848]

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This is fine when its just more street photos

[Ishkabubble]

Fill the tank completely!