Film developing issue

[Photo_Gaz]

Ok, so, I've developed two rolls so far.

Issue 1)
Both rolls are developed fine until I get to the last few frames where they have not been developed. I followed the instructions correctly, as far as I understand.

Issue 2)
Roughly two thirds of the way through the film there are completely blank frames, although, the numbers and film name do appear along the sides.

I am using D76 for developer and the camera is a Minolta X-700. The first film was an Ilford FP4 125 and the second is an Fomapan 135 100.

Any ideas would be HUGELY appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Jüri]

If there are edge markings, but no image, then the area on the film was never exposed. I would shoot another roll with the camera and get it developed in a dedeicated lab to make sure the camera is functional.

[Light Guru]

Sounds like an issue with the camera. Liquid chemicals are not just going to skip parts of film. I bet the shutter on the camera is not working right.

[Gerald C Koch]

I don't think your problem is with development. If it were then you would not be seeing frame numbers along side the blank frames. It sounds like a shutter problem where the film is not getting exposed.

[Worker 11811]

By "completely blank" do you mean that the film is clear or is it opaque, black?

If the letters and numbers along the edges of the film appear normal then the film was developed correctly. It is probable that the frames in question were not exposed correctly or they were not exposed at all.

Depending on the camera, it is possible that the last frame of film, or two, will not be exposed.
Some cameras I have will expose all the way to the very end of the film. Some cameras will leave a frame.
If you are rolling your own film from bulk, a frame at the beginning and a frame at the end are likely to be spoiled in the process of loading film into the cartridge.

On one of my Pentax cameras, the first two frames are often not exposed correctly because there is an interlock on the meter mechanism that won't let it work until the frame counter gets to "1." The rationale is that you need to advance past the point where the film was exposed to daylight when you loaded the film but, if you are careful, those frames will be all right but you still can't shoot on them because of the interlock. (Unless you know how to shoot fully manual without the help of the meter.)

Like I said, if the lettering on the film is coming out the way it's supposed to then it's something in the camera or the way it was used that caused those frames to not be exposed.

There is a possibility that there is a faint image on the film that isn't apparent under full/correct development. In that case, it's something about the exposure those frames got.

[Photo_Gaz]

Thanks. I'll get another couple of rolls and see if the same thing happens again. I've tested the shutter at each of the various speeds at it seems to work correctly each time for well over 50 movements of the shutter each.

On the second issue: does anyone have any ideas as to how I am not managing to develop the final few frames of the film?

[Photo_Gaz]

By "completely blank" do you mean that the film is clear or is it opaque, black?

They appear completely clear save with the lettering along the sides of the film.

[Bob-D659]

Lettering all the way means they weren't exposed, if a developing problem you wouldn't see the frame numbers as they have to be developed as well.

[Sirius Glass]

Sounds like an issue with the camera. Liquid chemicals are not just going to skip parts of film. I bet the shutter on the camera is not working right.

Ditto. You have a hardware issue with the camera body or the lens or both.

[jeffreyg]

Is it possible that you thought the rolls had 24 exposures when they actually had 36 and you just rewound thinking you were at the end of the roll?

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/