David Bivins , Jan 21, 2012; 08:01 p.m.
I developed two rolls consecutively using Rodinal 1+100 today. The first was an expired roll of Agfa APX400, 120, which I had shot this morning. The second roll was bulk-loaded Tri-X, 35mm, shot some weeks ago. The first roll is curled (twisted while hanging to dry), very dark on the edges, and sticky on the emulsion side. It should have straightened out and dried completely by now (over 2 hrs later). The second film is behaving as expected and looks fine.
I suspect that I did not shake up my Rodinal concentrate before mixing the first batch. I noticed an acrid odor from the dilute solution but thought that perhaps I hadn't noticed that before. With the second batch I did not notice an odor and I know for a fact that I did shake up the concentrate.
Any suggestions as to what I can do if anything to salvage the first strip? I've developed hundreds if not thousands of b/w rolls, but I'm not an expert on chemistry so I have difficulty troubleshooting when things go wrong (which is rarely, knock on wood).
Process:
6ml Rodinal + 600ml water
60 min stand development (agitation in first minute), then no touch
rinse
4 minute fix (Ilford Rapid)
rinse
30 sec Perma Wash
final rinse
Photo flo
hang to dry
Thanks!
David.
John Shriver 
, Jan 21, 2012; 08:31 p.m.
Is there any possibility that your fixer died? That's easy to test.
David Bivins , Jan 21, 2012; 08:44 p.m.
Thanks. I used the same fixer on the Tri-X roll, an hour or so later, just fine.
John Shriver , Jan 21, 2012; 09:47 p.m.
Worth trying to fix it for another 10 minutes. Can't make it worse. Is your fixer hardening? Although I'd expect APX100 to be pre-hardened.
Leigh B. 
, Jan 21, 2012; 11:20 p.m.
Proper use of Rodinal is 10ml of concentrate per roll of film, regardless of the dilution.
One "roll" is anything you can proof on a single sheet of 8x10 paper.
I've never experienced a problem like you described in over 50 years of using Rodinal.
It's not well-suited to fast films, but that wouldn't explain the curling problem.
- Leigh
Michael Axel , Jan 22, 2012; 02:27 a.m.
I suspect that I did not shake up my Rodinal concentrate before mixing the first batch
Normally Rodinal doesn't decompose in concentrated form. It does need to be thoroughly mixed with the water.
Proper use of Rodinal is 10ml of concentrate per roll of film, regardless of the dilution.
This is the common wisdom, but I constantly use very small amounts (much less than 10ml) for development.
How did you mix your Ilford? I think 1:4 to 1:9 is about normal. Also, this fixer can degrade pretty quickly in my opinion. Is it fresh? Finally, could the temperature of the developer or fixer been too warm, or could the developer have substantially warmed up throughout the stand development?
Leigh B. , Jan 22, 2012; 02:49 a.m.
This is the common wisdom, but I constantly use very small amounts (much less than 10ml) for development.
It's not "common wisdom", it's right off the manufacturer's data sheet.
You apparently know more about the subject than the manufacturer.
- Leigh
Chris Waller 
, Jan 22, 2012; 07:54 a.m.
I regularly use Rodinal at 6 ml per 36 exp. roll with perfect results. I have even used it at 4 ml per roll where compensating development is required, e.g. contrast control on shots of interiors of buildings. What you described sounds like a manufacturing problem in the film. I have used Rodinal now for about 30 years without a hitch.
Michael Howard , Jan 22, 2012; 09:52 a.m.
Leigh, there are thousands of people who use less than 10ml very regularly, and have been for 30-40 years. In fact, I have developed hundreds of rolls this way, with never a single one turning out bad. My tank holds 390ml for 1 roll of 35mm. At 1:50, that's 8ml. It is my standard dilution. I don't do it, but I know Larry regularly does 1:100, and gets beautiful, consistent results. Obviously Chris does too.
I regularly experience hyper-curling with APX400 expired. I still have about 10 rolls left, and they take forever to straighten out, even with heavy books sitting on them for weeks. Never had any sticky problems though. I've pretty much given up on these old rolls, they are impossible to scan, can't get them flat enough. Not too bad in the enlarger, though.
Michael Axel , Jan 23, 2012; 01:06 a.m.
It's not "common wisdom", it's right off the manufacturer's data sheet.
You apparently know more about the subject than the manufacturer.
Leigh, Well, I did work for the firm that was the official distributor for the manufacturer in the USA. I also develop at least 5-10 rolls of film and many sheets of film in Rodinal, each week, with stand development in as little as 3 ml.
