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.

Also, does anyone use tray racks? Any preferred brands or problems with them? thanks

-- Rebecca (rebecca@antart.com.au), January 31, 2002

Answers

I don't use tray racks, but use a Jobo tank with hand inversion and never have gotten air bells.

Do you process "rotary" or by hand? In any case: rap the tank on the counter after it's filled.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 31, 2002.

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.

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), January 31, 2002.

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

-- Rebecca (rebecca@antart.com.au), January 31, 2002.

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.

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), February 01, 2002.

>agitation during the prerinse

Continuous

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), February 01, 2002.