Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/07/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yama, I just use the top of our washing machine and clothes hamper, no dedicated darkroom here. Regarding the bath, I have bottles with the right quantity of each chemical and the tank itself sitting in the bath with a thermometer in the bottle of developer. When I get to the right 20 Celsius, I dump the water and then just start. I don't measure the temps after I start. Even through summer here, I have never noted a problem. You are starting with the tank body cooled to the same as the chemicals and then the developer is the most temp critical. Consistency is the key word. The less variation in your process the more control you have. I have read all sorts of exotic agitation routines. I just used the recommended routine from the manufacturers. As recommended to me by Marty when I started film processing again after a very long hiatus- take notes, stick with one developer until you know what it will do for you-start 10-20% under the recommended times. To those I would add - chemicals are cheap, don't scrimp by using them over and over. (Dilute XTOL developer is one shot anyway) especially be consistent with your agitation and have fun! Cheers Geoff http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ -----Original Message----- Subject: Re: [Leica] A Questionable Haze? It seems like the reasonable solution to my problem would be to develop somewhere where I can get some reasonable room temperatures, or to experiment with an ice bath. I have tried using an ice bath before to lower temperatures, but I am always afraid of the temperature getting *too* low. (Not to mention, it is kind of tough checking the temperatures of the developer when I have approximately 25 seconds to get a temperature reading, and i have to remove/put the tank cap back on. I want to abstain from developing at higher temperatures, which is why I think I am getting such high contrast. I am indeed trying to achieve those 'delicious highlights' and where I am developing right now certainly isn't helping. Thanks everyone for your help and tips. I'll do some more practicing and see where it takes me. Leonard Taupier wrote: > Hi Yama, > > I'm not sure what the "haze" is but I have a couple of questions. > > During development what is your agitation or inversion timing. Your > prints look a little too high contrast. There is no detail in the dark > hair. > Do you use a stop bath between development and fixing? > What film, what developer? > A 3 degree rise in temp seems high in a 9 minute period but except for > a slightly denser negative it shouldn't cause a problem. I would only > worry if you were developing color. What's the temperature in your room? > > I would use a 30 sec dip in a Photo-Flo solution and then hang the > film to dry. Don't use a squeegee. That can lead to emulsion scratches > with some films and also lead to spotting on the negatives after they > dry. > > Len > > > On Jul 17, 2008, at 11:12 PM, Yama Nawabi wrote: > >> I'm still going at the "street photography" thing (however subjective >> that may be) and loving it. This was an attempt at a hipshot, which >> seemed to work pretty well. Exposure was good to my eyes, however, I >> notice when I scan in these negatives, they look a little funny. >> >> I have gotten rid of that milky white look by fixing my negatives >> longer, this was a problem I used to have before. However, I do not >> really know how to maintain my developer temperature. The temp went >> up from 20 C to 23 C and I had developed at ASA 400 (9 min, 30 >> seconds). Fixed for 10 minutes. The other change I had done during >> this develop was using a film squeegee, however I doubt that really >> had caused this haze. >> >> What I am trying to figure out is whether this developing error had >> caused that funny black haze above the asian lady's head ( in the >> left side of the photo ) >> >> http://flickr.com/photos/helloyama/2672482550/ >> And here is another example, to the left of the lady w/ the >> stroller's head. >> http://flickr.com/photos/helloyama/2671662789/ >> >> Anyone have any clues? Danke >> >> -- >> ------------ >> Yama Nawabi >> www.helloyama.com >>