?airbells on 4x5 edges + tray racks

[rebecca1]

Hi

I occasionally get what appear to be little strings of oval shaped

airbells along the very edge of my B/W negs. I process in a

Jobo multitank, agitated very carefully by hand. Have been

cropping them out since they appear only occasionally and are

on the very edge of the image area, but I would prefer to

eliminate the problem. I heard somewhere that a prewet helps

with airbells? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

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Also, does anyone use tray racks? Any preferred brands or

problems with them? thanks

[charlie_strack]

I don't use tray racks, but use a Jobo tank with hand inversion and

never have gotten air bells.

 

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Do you process "rotary" or by hand? In any case: rap the tank on the

counter after it's filled.

[john_hicks___]

Use a one-minute prerinse, then of course bang the tank a couple of times after you pour the developer in, then agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds. The short prerinse will most likely eliminate the airbells.

[rebecca1]

John, I will try the prerinse, I do agitate for the 1st 30 secs dev

and tap after. How much agitation during the prerinse do you

suggest? thanks rebecca

[scott walton]

I agree with John. I also read that you are "tapping" after the initial

aggitation... change that to before the inversions! The airbells have

already had a chance to adhere and are doing their business by the time

you finish aggitations! Do the water presoak though also as John

suggests.

[john_hicks___]

>agitation during the prerinse

 

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Continuous