Odd developing pattern

[RoboRepublic]

Hi folks,
Was curious if anyone may have experienced a similar issue with odd circular shapes on their 4x5 sheets after development?
I used a 20th century reel, which I've used for over a 100 sheets with out any issues such as this. I believe I shot this through my Horseman 45FA along with a fidelity elite holder.

4/6 sheets exhibited this issue in the developing run. I used a jobo silverbase for development along with Xtol at 96F.

Thanks!

 

[Kevin Allan]

Could it be insufficient developer to cover the whole sheet ?

 

[RoboRepublic]

Hi Kevin, its developed in the Jobo Silverbase, which is a rotary process on its side, and the symmetrical pattern seems not to implicate a lack of chems. I suspect that low chemistry in rotary would mean uneven development along the longer edges, though I've never experienced that so far (fingers crossed)

 

[Ian Grant]

Looks like the sheet was bowed and touching either the edge of the tank or the sheet in front, so undeveloped on the edges.

Ian

 

[David M]

Yes, it looks as though the face of this sheet was touching the back of the next one. Either a rare mistake in loading or an equally rare surge in the developer, I would guess. It does happen to everyone, sooner or later. Wet film does stick together very firmly.

 

[RoboRepublic]

Thanks everyone! I will do an examination of my tank to see how I managed to get these marks.

 

[John]

Just to throw another possibility into the mix. I have had very similar negatives where the top of the image displays a semi circle of darkness similar to the one in the image by the OP. I eventually found this to be the bottom of the bellows intruding into the image area. I only mention this as it was also a Horseman 45FA. I now "stretch them out a bit " particularly if using a wider lens and actively look for it as it is easy to miss in the excitement of the field !

 

[David M]

That’s an interesting possibility. I’ve had intrusive bellows too, but at long extensions where they have drooped. I cut a short length of pipe insulation as a support.
I suppose this is another reason for bag bellows, as well as the problem of the bellows folds jamming together.

 

[John]

I have found with my Horseman 45FA the problem occurs more readily at short extensions (the bottom of the bellows kinda bunches upwards) and that pulling the front standard free to stretch the bellows pre-shooting to be helpful. It just becomes part of "the dance" after a while.

 

[RoboRepublic]

This seems to be the most plausible case, I was shooting with very little extension!

 

[John]

I had a 90mm on my FA only the other day........and yes....still bunching up at the bottom of the camera. One day I will get the bellows changed....for a lovely red set !