[Leica] OT: What went wrong? (B&W developing resulting in transparent negatives)

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Marc Osborne said:
Subject: What went wrong? (B&W developing resulting in transparent 
negatives)


Hello Marc,
Simple answer......... you poured the fix in first and it was over right 
there! You could've turned on the light and thrown the film away! :-(

Let me suggest: Pour the developer in the can first.... with the lights 
on!!!!!! Before you load the film reels, then you know you have the right 
solution in first.

Turn off lights and do the following in complete darkness!  load reels, drop 
in can, put lid on, hit timer, agitate for 30 seconds, turn light on, 
continue correct agitation through out developing time, lights out, dump 
developer out in dark......... FORGET STOP BATH!!!! pour in fixer, put lid 
on can, shake the daylights out of the can for  30 seconds or so. put down, 
turn on lights and shake can again and if you're using Rapid Fix it only 
needs to be fixed a few minutes. While the can with fix and film is sitting 
there, wash up some things, shake can, tidy up more , shake can, continue 
clean-up.

Prepare hypo eliminator in separate container, pour fix back in "FIX BOTTLE" 
rinse can and film a couple of times with water at same temperature, pour in 
prepared Hypo Eliminator, shake the daylights out of the can, prepare 
running wash water temp, 68-70 degrees and wash for 2-3 minutes.

Photo-flo bottle in hand...... this is very important.... ONLY A FEW DROPS 
IN CAN WITH WATER & FILM...... ONLY A FEW DROPS!!!  Agitate reels, dump it 
down the sink.......... do not save photoflo not worth it as it's only a few 
drops and you should always have clean Photoflo each time!!! NEVER MIND WHAT 
ANYONE ELSE SAYS ABOUT KEEPING IT! FORGET IT!

Now remove reel, hold tightly between thumb and fingers and sharply snap it 
towards the floor several times flicking as much solution off reel and film. 
Hold reel firmly as not to flick film off reel.

Remove film and hang to dry......... DO NOT SQUEEGEE UNDER ANY 
CIRCUMSTANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never mind people telling you to do it with your fingers simply because 
anytime you squeegee you are asking to scratch your film....... PERIOD!

Now if you do this successfully you should have beautiful clean film, no 
water marks, no scratches or anything else other than your beautiful well 
taken and exposed negatives.

It works trust me.
ted