Re: [Leica] Agitation problem

[George Hartzell <hartzell@cs.berkeley.edu>]

I've been trying to find a lab in town that does a good job for me
with Delta 3200.  I just tried a new one (they claim to use Ilfotec,
but will use anything I want for an extra $3.00 per roll) with a roll
shot at 1600.

The *last seven frames* of the roll have a a similar look to Johnny's
problem, but a bit more severe.  The rest of the roll is fine, if a
little low contrast.

Sound like the same problem?  Should I look for yet another lab, or
try to educate these folks?  I'm a little bit suspect because they
called 1600 a -1 pull, and didn't believe me that the film was rated
by Ilford at 1000....

g.


Mike Johnston writes:
 > I have also put up a page about a negative problem that I can't seem to
 > shake. Is it over or under agitation, or something more subtle? A reward
 > (!)
 > is offered to anyone who finally helps me nail this. Details at:
 > 
 >     http://www.cinematic.freeserve.co.uk/Pages/filmdev.html
 > 
 > 
 > Johnny,
 > That's bromide drag (streaking) from the sprocket holes, caused by
 > underagitation. I'm betting you fill your developing tank all the way to
 > the top. This is what's causing the problem. Stop filling the tank all
 > the way--leave an airspace, the more generous the better. The problem
 > will go away.
 > 
 > I'd also recommend that you dilute your developer further and use a
 > longer developing time--longer than 5 minutes at least--but that's up to
 > you. The airspace should solve the problem.
 > 
 > George Post did a very nice and incredibly thorough article called
 > "Shake It Up!" published in the old _Darkroom Photography_ in the '80s.
 > That's the best article on agitation I've ever read, just in case you
 > want to read up on the issue further.
 > 
 > - --Mike
 >