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It could have worked so well.... I was asked to take some portraits and shot mostly on digital and then took two sheets of 10x8 Ilford HP5.

The set-up was Calumet/Cambo 10x8 monorail with Symmar 300mm F5.6 lens, 1/15 second at f5.6.

Developed in a Paterson Orbital in Rodinal 1+50 for (I think) 13 minutes. I'd pre-soaked for a minute or so beforehand.

Are the semi-circular shapes on the right lens flare? It was an overcast day inside a church with windows either side, but I wasn't using a lens hood.

Could it be fogging from the Orbital processor. Also note the area of different density in line with the top of his head roughly where one of the fins of the processor is located.

I'm guessing I'll need to do some tests to find out the cause of the fogging - I suppose it could be a light leak in the DDS?

The top-right on the top one has to be a light leak because it's outside the masked area.

It could also be a light leak in the Paterson Orbital. Check the lid is closed fully before taking it into the light.

There also appears to be a circular pattern in the image, which I am wondering could be insufficient developer in the Paterson Orbital. Are you using the manual rotation base?

Thanks Joanna

I used 200ml of developer, but maybe I needed more. I did wonder if there is a light leak in the orbital - I used it manually.

I might try tray developing in complete darkness next time to see what happens.

Matt_Bigwood wrote:... I used it manually.

That's what I do but, did you use the manual rotation base? If not, you need to continuously roll the dish in a circular motion to ensure that the corners, which are higher than the middle, get covered with chemistry.

If there's a structural light leak in the orbital then surely you'd get the leak on both shots? Could be you didn't clip the lid quite shut on one though - I've done that.

I reckon you should try it with 100ml. Continuous rotation around 3-4sec per rotation.

I've been using DD-X @ 1:4 for 8 1/2 mins. Not tried HP5 though. I have used Rodinal @ 1:50 (102ml) and not had any problems with 4x5 sheets. I'd love to have a go if you have a 10x8 sheet to waste

Joanna Carter wrote:

Matt_Bigwood wrote:... I used it manually.

That's what I do but, did you use the manual rotation base? If not, you need to continuously roll the dish in a circular motion to ensure that the corners, which are higher than the middle, get covered with chemistry.

Yes, it does look like the chemistry has mostly just circled round the centre.

Thanks Joanna and Patrick - I didn't use the base, I just rocked it manually, left to right and backwards and forwards alternately, giving it constant agitation throughout the development.

Patrick - I'd love you to try developing a sheet or two of 10x8 in your orbital - then I can see if there's a light leak in mine.

No problem.

227447

Matt_Bigwood wrote:I didn't use the base, I just rocked it manually, left to right and backwards and forwards alternately, giving it constant agitation throughout the development.

I reckon that's the main problem.

Patrick Dixon wrote:I reckon that's the main problem.

Yes, rocking doesn't move the chemistry like rolling would. The vanes would get in the way when rocking across them. Matt, if you have the base, use it

My Orbital arrived this morning complete with red pegs, dome base thing (which I've just worked out how to use), a time/temperature scale and some pretty but rather too small, coloured plastic beakers. Perfect for serving whisky on picnics I think! I will wait until my motor base arrives before testing it out - plus I also received the Harrison Standard film changing tent from Bax this morning, which will be more suitable than my "Pup" tent.

Can't you just get the butler to rotate it in the meantime?

You Ebony users .....