Response to streaks on film

I had a problem with surge marks on 35mm film developed in a small tank. Surge marks are streaks radiating from the sprocket holes in 35mm film in toward the center of the film. They are most obvious on even toned areas like sky or water. In my experience, they are not caused by pouring developer in, but by improper agitation technique. They appear most often if the tank is agitated solely by holding it in one hand and inverting it. I solved the problem for myself by giving the tank a twist each time it is inverted so that the developer moves sideways against the negative, and not just up and down. This is the technique recommended by St. Ansel in his books on darkroom technique. Since I started developing this way, no more surge marks.

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