Dark lines on negatives

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George Orwell - 18 Jan 2005 21:08 GMT

I develop T-Max film in Xtol in Patterson inversion tanks. In my last
batch of 3 rolls, the roll that was on the bottom came out with dark lines
throughout the roll on the side that
was nearest the bottom of the tank. The
lines go through the spaces between the frames. The other 2 rolls came out fine.
It seems to be a problem with the developer or agitation. However, since I always develop the same way
and I have only had this problem this once, I do not know what the problem is.
Any ideas?

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Richard Knoppow - 20 Jan 2005 01:40 GMT

>I develop T-Max film in Xtol in Patterson inversion tanks.
>In my last
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> what the problem is.
> Any ideas?

What format is this? What exactly do the dark lines look
like? Is any of the edge printing in the dark area, if so,
how does it look in comparison to the edge printing elswhere
on the roll?
I am assuming you mean between frames and not between
sprocket holes of 35mm film. If the description is accurate
I would be more suspicious of fogging in the camera than of
development, especially if the lines are pretty dark. Note
that since there is no exposure in the frame there will be
only fog there. If the fog level is low there should not be
much visible effect from developer surge.

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Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

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Louie Powell - 20 Jan 2005 12:28 GMT

>>I develop T-Max film in Xtol in Patterson inversion tanks.
>>In my last
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> lines go through the spaces between the frames. The other
>> 2 rolls came out fine.

I understand you to mean that the lines run the length of the film. Are
these sharp lines or bands. Sharp lines could be scratches that occurred
either as the developing reels were loaded or from grit in the felt light-
trap in the 35mm film canister. Bands sound more like a problem with
stratification in the development process, possibly as a result of the form
of agitation you were using.

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Nomen Nescio - 20 Jan 2005 18:20 GMT

This is the original poster. It is 120 film, somewhat dark-not VERY dark-
wavy lines about a half inch thick throughout the length of the film, not
sharp.

Maybe it was because I was reusing the
developer too many times. But why would it occur only at the bottom of
the tank?

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