Developing issues... Help!

[Axle]

I've never heard of Clayton Chemistries until now. But they look decent.

Reading up online the chemicals. Yes they need to be mixed in a 1+9 ratio, that could be the problem that you're having with the way it developed all weird.

Which Tmax did you use? 100 or 400, because looking at the data sheet ( http://www.claytonchem.com/pdfs/Dark...MDEVELOPER.pdf )

Shows 100 for 7 minutes at 68F (20C) and 400 for 8min at 68F (20C) - B/W has a lot of latitude for temp, usually 1.5 +/- won't affect your developing times.

Pre-Wash - I usually let my film soak while I prepare my chemistry, a good five minutes and then pour out, the water will turn a different colour, don't worry about it, that's just the anti-hailation layer washing off.

Developing - Try a different agitation pattern. I use the following with good results, Constant agitation (inversion method) for the first 1 minute and 10 seconds. Then agitation for 10 seconds every minute.

Stop Bath - I've never used Clayton so continue to use a chemical stop bath. I usually run Ilfostop. One Minute, constant agitation.

Fix - tmax doesn't need a hardening fix, a rapid fixer without hardener will do just as well. Five minute fix, following the same agitation method as with developing.

Hypoclear - There's two camps on this, I'm in the use Hypoclear camp, it really helps clean the excess fixer off the film and improves the archival quality of the negs. Add in the Hypo, and let it sit for 2 minutes.

Wash - I use a hybrid Ilford Wash method, Fill the tank, add a wetting agent (PhotoFlo, Ilford Wash Aid, Camp Soap) invert five times then dump, fill tank, invert ten times then dump, fill tank, invert twenty times then dump. Then I let clean water flow through the tank for another two minutes then remove the film.

Also smart moving taking notes, I have a binder filled with data sheets, and just lined paper. Good luck, and be sure to share your results.