Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/02/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Wendy, Many people on this forum use a tiny amount of Photo-flo in their final water rinse, the idea being that they don't want to leave any residue. I think many put the tip of a finger into the bottle and stick it in the final rinse, just enough to break the surface tension of the water. That has never worked for me, so I use exactly the amount that Kodak recommends, in distilled water. I'm sure that it leaves more residue on the reels, but SS reels don't depend on the film sliding in a groove, and stainless steel reels can be cleaned using pretty strong chemicals to remove residue should it become a problem. My problem is dust as my house was built in about 1850. It is a problem even in one of those hanging clear plastic film dryers. I may eventually buy an inexpensive lab incubator and just dry the film on the reels. Jeffery On Feb 28, 2010, at 7:11 AM, Wendy Thurman wrote: > Frank- > > Main problem is the reels. I've processed a lot of 135, 120, and > sheet film but it has been years since I've done it. I've ordered the > Hewes reels and that should go a long way to improving the process. > > I've got a two-reel Tundra SS tank. Temp is right at 70F, D76 for 7 > min 15 sec, Ilford Stop for 30 sec, Kodak Fix for 10 min, then a 30 > min wash followed by a few sloshes in a Photo-flo solution. Developer > and fixer are mixed with bottled water, stop from the tap. (The water > here is filthy, but it's bacterially filthy.) Omega Seamaster watch > for a timer :) Proper timer on the way. The issues other than the > reels were spotting on the negatives and some water streaking after > drying. Any tips certainly appreciated; I'm apparently re-learning > what I thought I already knew. > > Wendy