Help! Dark spots on my negatives.

Hi everyone!

 

I'm new here. I created this account because I've had some issues lately regarding development of my B/W films and I didn't know where else to ask.

 

So I've had this issue for the second roll in a row now, and I'm clueless. My negatives are completely covered in small dark spots, mosty visible in darker (more developed) areas like skies.

 

After the first roll I thought maybe the developer was not well dissolved (because it seemed logical to me that black spots mean undissolved particles of developer), so I made sure to stir the developer well enough on the second roll. However, this didn't make any difference at all.

 

Both films are Kodak TMAX100, developed in HC-110 Dilution B (6m30sec, agitation every 30sec).

 

Does anyone has an idea what could be the cause of this? I've been developing film for 3 years now and I haven't had these issues before. Many thanks!

 

 

 

How old is your fixer?

What are the actual amounts of water versus chemical for developer and fixer you are using? It seems that there is something wrong happening in developing and fixing. If the chemicals are new, then I would check to make sure my ratios where correct. That is why I am curious as to the actual volumes you are using.

I have seen similar due to improper storage of film. I am talking about high humidity coupled with high temperature. It is possible these artifacts are due to improper fixing. You can re-fix by swishing a frame in fixer and then re-washing. Fix time is twice the time it takes for the film to clear. In the light, snip off a piece of the tongue of another roll and swish in small bowl of fixer. Watch the film as it turns milky and then clears to transparency. Time this reaction. Fix time twice the time it takes to clear. In any event, just in case your problem is under fixing, swish one of your negatives in fixer. This can be accomplished in normal room light. Keep the film in the fixer for twice the clear time and then wash and dry. Examine this re-fixed film and report back if the problem is abated.

Developer particles can be ruled out by the use of HC-110 - a purely liquid concentrate.

 

Poorly stored or fungus-infected film is a distinct possibility.

 

Crud in the fixer? Maybe, but I would have thought it would be very noticeable in the solution.

 

Strangely, the spots don't appear to affect the lighter densities as much. Almost as if it was some light sensitive contamination.

 

Has the film been frozen or refrigerated? Maybe condensation on the film during exposure could be the cause?

If this is 120, I would suspect that the film was used in higher than usual humidity or had been frozen and wasn't allowed to warm up slowly before being put in the camera. The paper can cause mottling like this if there's too much moisture.

Thanks so much for all the answers! I'll try to respond to as much remarks as possible.

 

How old is your fixer?

 

It was freshly mixed.

 

 

It is possible these artifacts are due to improper fixing. You can re-fix by swishing a frame in fixer and then re-washing. Fix time is twice the time it takes for the film to clear. In the light, snip off a piece of the tongue of another roll and swish in small bowl of fixer. Watch the film as it turns milky and then clears to transparency. Time this reaction. Fix time twice the time it takes to clear. In any event, just in case your problem is under fixing, swish one of your negatives in fixer. This can be accomplished in normal room light. Keep the film in the fixer for twice the clear time and then wash and dry. Examine this re-fixed film and report back if the problem is abated.

 

I fixed for 9 minutes with fresh fixer (which is twice the amount of time required for normal film).

 

 

What are the actual amounts of water versus chemical for developer and fixer you are using? It seems that there is something wrong happening in developing and fixing. If the chemicals are new, then I would check to make sure my ratios where correct. That is why I am curious as to the actual volumes you are using.

 

The chemical ratios are correct, as far as I know. The developer was 15ml of HC110 / 485ml of water if I remember correctly. Overall the density of the developed negative is very good.

 

I have seen similar due to improper storage of film. I am talking about high humidity coupled with high temperature. It

Has the film been frozen or refrigerated? Maybe condensation on the film during exposure could be the cause?

If this is 120, I would suspect that the film was used in higher than usual humidity or had been frozen and wasn't allowed to warm up slowly before being put in the camera. The paper can cause mottling like this if there's too much moisture.

 

I bought the film in April of 2016 and stored it immediately in my refrigerator upon arrival. I removed the film from my refrigerator about a week before shooting it.

 

Expiry date of the film is August 2017, but I've never seen such dramatic effects when using film which is only expired for 1.5 year.

Perhaps the film was stored improperly before you bought it? Do you have a fresh roll you can try from a different batch?

Film bought in 2016 with an expiry date of only 2017 would have had at least 2 years in goodness-knows-what storage conditions.