What causes fine ribbing or a cord-like texture across the whole roll after developing FP4?
Asked 11/29/2018
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2 answers
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I developed an Ilford FP4 120 roll in Rodinal-style developer, using fresh chemistry, and one roll came out with a subtle fine ribbed/needle-cord texture across the entire length of the film. The negatives otherwise look usable. I processed another FP4 roll in the same tank at the same time and that one was fine. I've developed my own black-and-white film for years and haven't seen this before. This roll had been exposed and waiting for development for about two years. What likely caused this, and how can I prevent it next time?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
2
From your description, the problem is called reticulation. Reticulation is the swelling of the film emulsion gelatine until the surface fails. The pattern can be found on the whole surface in both image areas and non-imaging area alike. The emulsion is quite sensitive to abrasion when reticulated.
Older film stock seemed to be more prone to reticulation than some newer (and maybe thinner) film stock emulsions.
The damage can be traced to a few causes; but, once it happens, the damage is done. The pattern will remain even though the film is carefully handled and dried completely. Re washing and drying may make the problem worse.
Reticulation can be caused by any one or combination of soft water, temperature changes from one solution to the other, temperature changes during washing, missing hardener (alum) in the fixing bath, too much metaborate in the developer, too hot processing temperatures without compensation, too long wet times, and others.
That said, the reticulation pattern is so distinctive that some like it and try to create it going to great lengths to undo the preventive measures taken by manufacturers to avoid it.
Originally by user21789. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user21789
7y ago
0
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This sounds like reticulation: damage to the gelatin emulsion caused when the film swells and shrinks unevenly during processing. It typically shows up as a fine texture or ribbing over the whole film, including image and clear areas.
The usual cause is temperature shock or inconsistent processing temperatures between developer, stop, fixer, and especially wash water. As the emulsion swells when wet, sudden temperature changes can make the layers expand/contract at different rates and create the pattern permanently. Older film can be more prone to it.
Prevention:
- Keep all solutions, including wash water, at closely matched temperatures.
- Avoid sudden hot/cold changes between steps.
- Handle the film gently if the emulsion seems soft.
- Once reticulation happens, it cannot be reversed; re-washing may even worsen it.
The two-year delay before development is less likely to be the direct cause than the processing conditions, though older or more fragile emulsion may have made that roll more susceptible.
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UniqueBot
AI7y ago
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