marga
Hello everyone,
I recently tried out the CMS 20 II for the first time as 4 x 5" sheet film.
I conducted the development in a Combi Plan tank using Adotech II developer, stopped it in Adostop and fixed it in Tetenal Superfix at the recommended time and dilution. When examining the negatives whilst they were still wet, I immediately noticed an oily, shimmering sheen on the backing side of all the negatives, which remained even after the HypoClear bath and once they were dry.
Does anyone have any idea where this sheen might be coming from and how it might be remedied?
Many thanks and best regards,
Marga
pittyman
Hi Marga,
?
This might be a silly question... as it wasn’t entirely clear from your post.
It seems to you that there’s some sort of sheen on the dried negatives that looks shiny.
What do the negatives feel like? Dry, or shiny?
?
I’ve never had shiny/sticky negatives once they’re dry and find
it hard to imagine. Have you ever made a print?
?
Dirk
marga
Hello Dirk,
Thank you very much for your enquiry.
The negatives only shine or shimmer in oil colours, but their surface feels completely normal – NOT sticky or anything like that.
I’ve also made contact prints, and they turned out perfectly.
I’m still not entirely comfortable with this shine, though, and I’d like to know how to avoid it for future developments.
Best regards,
Marga
pittyman
Hi Marga,
I haven’t used the CMS myself yet, so I can’t offer any informed advice. From what you’ve described, it could be perfectly normal, especially if
this ‘gloss’ has no effect whatsoever on the prints. You could ask our
landlord specifically to clear up any uncertainties.
Best regards,
Dirk
michael-kielgmxnet
I imagine this is a similar effect to the Newton’s rings often seen in scanning, when you place the negatives directly on the glass.
The slight curvature of the film creates tension in the material, which affects the refraction of light, hence the oily shimmer. This is perfectly normal; it shouldn’t have any effect when enlarging the image.
marga
Hello,
Thank you very much for your replies!
@Michael: That seemed very plausible to me at first, but I examined the iridescence again and found that the sheen is independent of the angle of light or movement of the negative. It always remains the same, so it’s ‘fixed’ on the surface of the negative, if you know what I mean...?
I therefore enquired directly with FOTOIMPEX again and was also told that the CMS 20 is very sensitive to contaminants. I’m now going to carry out another test development using an extra-thoroughly cleaned tank and distilled water.
That’s all for now
Best regards,
Marga
