[3dem] Problems with Kodak SO-163 film

[Thorsten Mielke]

Hi all,

since quite a while we do observe strange 
artefacts after developing Kodak SO-163 films 
recorded on our Polara. I put 2 images on our web 
server. The following link should start an 
automated download using any web browser.

http://www.molgen.mpg.de/ws/050261/SO-163-artefacts.ZIP

Many images show stripes or other non regular 
features like "waves" as you can see on image no. 
2. Strangely, when developing 28 negatives in one 
rack, not all of them show the artefacts, but 
mostly 5 - 10 negatives in a row show very 
similar features/stripes/artefacts. In rare 
cases, negatives look like image no. 1, where the 
emulsion seems to be exploded.

We checked our dark lab, developing conditions, 
film handling ....but we have no clue what might 
cause these artefacts. They occur on different 
film batches, different users observe them....

We handle the films as follows:

Film boxes are opened in the dark room equipped 
with red safety light (we checked already that it 
is really safe!) and packing foil is removed. 
Films are pre-dried in a desiccator and P2O5. 
Loaded cameras are stored in a desiccator for a 
couple of days. Exposed films are developed 
within one day using full strength D19 developer 
for 12-15 minutes and fixed after washing in 
water for 10 minutes or even longer. Films are 
rinsed in a water tank for at least 20-30 minutes 
and dried in a cabinet at 40°C. Some users 
additionally use Kodak PhotoFlo as deteregent.

Did anybody of you observe similar artefacts 
indicating a manufacturing problem? Any idea what might cause the artefacts?


Regards

Thorsten






***********************************************************
Dr. Thorsten Mielke
- UltraStrukturNetzwerk -
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics
Ihnestr. 63-73
D-14195 Berlin

Tel.: +49-(0)30 8413-1644/1141
Fax: +49-(0)30 8413-1385
E-mail: mielke at molgen.mpg.de