Film Process Problems

Problems

Description	Symptom	Image	Cause	Remedy	Recovery
Under development	Flat and low density negatives		Insufficient development, low replenishment, low temperature, oxidation	Replace Developer tank solution	None
Over development	Dark and high density negatives		Over development, high replenishment, high temperature	Replace Developer tank solution	None
Exhausted Bleach	Dark and high density dmin in negatives		Low Bleach replenishment. low film throughput	Replace Bleach tank solution, increase Bleach replenishment rate.	None
Retained Silver	Metallic look when looking at film base, especially in highlight (dark in negative) areas		Insufficient bleaching	Replace Bleach tank solution, increase Bleach replenishment rate.	Re Bleach,fix and wash/dry
Retained Silver Halide	Milky look in emulsion		Insufficient fixing	Replace Fixer tank solution	Re fix and wash/dry. Do not re-develop
Drying marks	Surface spots on emulsion or base side		Insufficient washing, low or high rinse concentration	Replace Rinse tank solution	Re wash/dry.

General troubleshooting steps

1. Re Wash and Dry.
2. Re Fix, Wash and Dry.
3. Re Bleach, Fix, Wash and Dry.