B&J Watson Portrait cam - first outing, Hay Creek, and a problem…
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 5:26 pm
Finished everything necessary for shooting last week, took the rig out on Sunday last. Went to Hay Creek In Birdsboro. Have been there a million times, but it’s easy to get to, easy to maneuver (increasingly important these days), and almost always empty.
Everything fit nicely in the Gatemouth.

Shot four sheets, this is the best of them

So, everything worked great. HOWEVER, definitely a snafu: Boogered the developing on the first two sheets, the above being one. According to my exposure, should’ve been like 4:00 in HC-110 dil H (our tap water is warm right now). I screwed up and it went almost nine minutes. Scan looks pretty good, right? Minimal correction. I process the next two sheets at the correct conditions, and - yep - they’re at least 2-3 stops underexposed. Meter seems okay, though haven’t had time to check against another. Developer was opened 2017, but was used a few weeks ago with no problems, and is the original, non-water based formula, and I've had it work for a decade or more in the past. Film is labeled 100, I exposed at 100, and it’s new. Short of those things, I’m not sure wth. Will check the meter, buy new developer, and run a few test sheets, but otherwise, I’m befuddled. Any ideas?
Everything fit nicely in the Gatemouth.

Shot four sheets, this is the best of them

So, everything worked great. HOWEVER, definitely a snafu: Boogered the developing on the first two sheets, the above being one. According to my exposure, should’ve been like 4:00 in HC-110 dil H (our tap water is warm right now). I screwed up and it went almost nine minutes. Scan looks pretty good, right? Minimal correction. I process the next two sheets at the correct conditions, and - yep - they’re at least 2-3 stops underexposed. Meter seems okay, though haven’t had time to check against another. Developer was opened 2017, but was used a few weeks ago with no problems, and is the original, non-water based formula, and I've had it work for a decade or more in the past. Film is labeled 100, I exposed at 100, and it’s new. Short of those things, I’m not sure wth. Will check the meter, buy new developer, and run a few test sheets, but otherwise, I’m befuddled. Any ideas?