I just processed a roll of HP5+, when I opened up the tank for a final rinse, there was nothing, absolutely nothing!!!! Is this a manufacturing fault or is this a problem with my camera!!!! Help. Btw I was using Ilfosol Developer. Any ansers to my problem would be appreciated.

-- Kenneth Seah (seahnet@singnet.com.sg), January 04, 1998

Answers

If you got absolutely nothing, not even edge marks, the most likely answer is that you had no development occour. This could be caused by a number of factors, no developer, as in not adding the developer to the water if it is diluted from stock before using , using stop bath for developer, or fixer for developer. If the developer had any life at all to it there would have been some edge markings, even if they were very faint. I had this happen once to me, and it was indeed because I mixed up the fixer with the developer. My containers are now well marked, and used only for the solution for which they are designated. To verify that no development took place, take a piece of leader that you cut off and with out development, fix it until clear. You will see that within 4 or 5 minutes, at most, the film will be completely clear.

-- MTHOMPSON (MTHOMPSON@CLINTON.NET), January 04, 1998.

About 6 months ago, a pro photographer friend (here in Canada) had a similar experience with some Ilford film. I'll get the details shortly, but in his case his processing lab was able to show him that the Ilford package had contained the Wrong film. A subsequent call to the Ilford rep yielded the response `so that's where that lot of film wound up', and as far as I know, nothing further. Sounds like Ilford (whose products I use extensively ) has a few things to look into. I'll be back with an update. Mike

-- Mike World (mbworld@adan.kingston.net), January 04, 1998.

I would just add that you could take a piece of the cut-off leader, that is fully exposed to light, and put it in a dish of developer, paper developer would be fine. If it turns black, the problem was in your development. If it goes milky-white (and fixer then clears it), the problem is in the film.

Kenneth, could you please tell us the batch number printed on the film packet. If the problem was the film, it would probably apply to all films in that batch.

-- Alan Gibson (gibson.al@mail.dec.com), January 05, 1998.

I had exactly the same thing happen to me using Ilfosol developer. It was too old. I use it as a 'one shot' developer and the stock is only good for about 6 months after the bottle is first opened. Date it, and keep an eye on the color..if it gets dark, toss

-- Charles Kleesattel (kleesattelc@mason.k12.oh.us), January 06, 1999.