very light negs,,,all most posatives??

[lisa_marie_harper]

Hi..

I have just developed 3 rolls of film,,Ilford FP4 Plus...in both tmax and the othe on ilford plus developer,,,all rolls have turned out very light like you almost can't see the image(no Contrast) and when hell up to the light the almost look like a positve rather than a neg..what could be the problem,,perhaps the film was underexposed at the time of takind the photos??? Help

[christian_harkness]

Lisa, sounds to me very much as though the film was underexposed. I

recommend shooting a test roll. Noting the exposures and bracketing

[towards overexposure for each subject].

 

<p>

 

chris

p.s. You can tell if it was underexposure, rather than

underdevelopment. If you have no details in the shadows it was

underexposure. If there is shadow detail, as well as highlight

detail, but the negative is just very thin, then it was

underdevelopment.

[ted_kaufman]

I have a feeling your film is underdeveloped. It might also be

underexposed, as well. But usually, even with underexposed images,

you'll have some areas of significant density--skys, bright

highlights and so forth.

 

<p>

 

If the entire negative is dull and flat, it sounds more like the film

just wasn't developed enough. I would recommend you check carefully

the temperature and time and developer concentration. You could have

bad thermometer, so compare it to another. Also, check to see that

your dilution ratios are correct for the developer.

[joe_miller2]

Lisa, look at the printing on the film edges (outside the sprocket

holes if 35mm). The numbers and etc will be black if the film was

fully developed. If these are a light grey the film was most likely

underdeveloped.

[nigel_smith2]

I actually use this method to look at negatives when I want to see a

positive image for some reason. Hold the negs emulsion side up to a

strong light source with a dark background behind them and you get

the positive look. Works best with thin negs, which is why you

probably noticed it.<P>

I agree with Joe, check the edge markings 1st, that should point you

in the direction of underexposure or under development. I'm guessing

underexposed since you have the problem with both developers. Also,

don't jump to the conclusion that they're no good. I under exposed

some APX-25 one time by going the wrong way with my filter factor

corrections (2 stops the wrong way... so 4 stops underexposed!), and

the negs are so thin but still produce prints.<P>

For the record, what development dilution/time/temp did you with the

Ilford Plus? I use a fair bit of this combination and expose FP4+ at

100asa, then develop in Plus for 1:29 dilution for 6mins @ 20C with 3

inversions per minute.