Why are my Tri-X negatives completely clear, including the leader, but the edge markings developed normally?

Asked 7/18/2018

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I developed a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400 in D-76 1:1 using my usual times. The film came out completely transparent, including the leader, but the edge markings are present and look normal. Because the leader is clear instead of black, I first suspected fixer might have been used before developer, but if that had happened I would expect the edge markings to be missing too.

I’m confident this was a roll from the camera, not an unused cassette, and rewinding felt normal. Afterward I tested the chemicals on trimmed film: developer turned it black and fixer cleared it.

If the edge markings are normal, does that mean development was actually fine? What would cause a roll to be clear all the way through, including the leader, while still showing the manufacturer’s edge markings?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

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I will speculate: In the darkroom, you grabbed the wrong film cassette and developed a roll that was never exposed.

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

8y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes—the normal edge markings strongly suggest the film was developed properly. Those markings are pre-exposed by the manufacturer and should appear if development worked.

A roll that is otherwise clear usually means the film received little or no image exposure in the camera. The most likely explanations are:

  • the wrong cassette was developed (an unexposed roll), or
  • the camera didn’t expose or transport the film correctly.

The clear leader does not point to a chemical failure if the edge printing is present. Your chemical test also supports that the developer and fixer were working.

Most likely, the issue is with the camera rather than processing. Check:

  • whether the shutter actually opens,
  • whether it stays open for longer shutter speeds,
  • whether speeds change appropriately, and
  • whether the take-up spool/film transport is really advancing the film.

If those checks fail, you’ve found the cause. In short: normal edge markings + clear film = development probably fine, camera exposure/transport problem more likely.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

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