Gast
There are fine dark streaks running the entire length of the film (roll film), which are naturally also visible in the print. The negatives weren’t exactly handled with kid gloves by the lab – can anyone help me? The film contact sheet is clean, and I can’t see any irregularities on the rollers the film runs over either. What could be causing this?
Attached is a photo of the print. I used a new Ilford 120 film, and the camera is a TLR, a Yashica 124 Gmat.
Thanks for any helpful tips!
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
Here’s another (rather poor quality...) photo of the negative showing the streaks.
KlausWehner
Welcome to the forum!
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Unfortunately, it’s not really possible to determine the cause of the streaks from the photo you’ve posted.
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I wouldn’t be too quick to rule out the camera as the cause (but it certainly can’t be down to the pressure plate: that’s where the film lies with the light-protective paper on top).
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But actually, it doesn’t look like scratches either.
Perhaps you could post another photo of the film.
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Are the streaks on the emulsion side or the backing side of the film?
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Best regards
Klaus
highscore
Did you print that yourself, or did you get the print from a lab?
Because to me, it looks a bit like the halftone screen from a printer that isn’t of the highest quality?
Kind regards
Gast
The print comes from the lab. However, the streaks are already quite clearly visible on the negative, specifically on the matte side. They run lengthwise across the entire film, but do not look as though they were caused mechanically (scratches). As they are barely visible on the negative, I have not included a picture of it.
highscore
Well, if the streaks are on the negative,
I’m at a loss.
Although!
Just a guess. Was the film perhaps exposed to light or something?
KlausWehner
Without any information and without knowing the facts, it’s difficult to say anything.
How (where) was the film developed?
In a commercial lab?
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HG
Klaus
fototiger
Perhaps it’s ‘just’ a material defect in the emulsion layer? Or could it be a fault in the film’s development process? Mechanical stress that doesn’t leave scratches when the film is wet and the emulsion is softer?
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Do you have the chance to test the camera again with a different roll of film and the same film to rule out any faults with the camera?
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But really, I’m just speculating...
Gast
Hi Klaus,
The film was developed at a large lab (part of a chemist’s chain) and came back with a note saying the negatives had scratches and creases. I’m a bit sceptical about that, especially as there were large tear-shaped holes at the end of the film, as if someone had punched and torn them with a pair of pliers. But I just don’t know.
The films are new black-and-white films, ordered from a photography retailer – I assume I can rule them out as the source of the problem.
I’m currently in the process of conducting the exposure on another film (which I’ll then perform the development on myself) – let’s see if the problem persists.
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Many thanks in advance for your willingness to help!
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PS: And here is another image of one of the negatives where the streaks are visible – it was a bit tricky to ‘photograph’ it....
Lichtjahr
Hello,
The streaks look as though they’ve come from a rubber squeegee in a continuous-feed machine.
On some developing machines, the water is wiped off before drying.
This could be caused by dirty or worn rubber lips.
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There’s only one solution: develop the film yourself.
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Edi
KlausWehner
Yes, Edi, that’s exactly what I suspected too,
Perhaps the problem can be alleviated by watering it again.
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Growing your own is definitely a better option.
If you have any questions, I’d be happy to help.
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Best regards,
Klaus
Lichtjahr
Hi Klaus,
Tetenal used to make a product called ‘Repolisan’, which was applied thinly using a clean linen cloth.
This could be used to repair minor damage to the negative.
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Whether it’s still available anywhere – I’ve no idea.
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I’ve actually found something after all (extract from a Tetenal product description):
LIGHT PROTECTION VARNISH SPRAY
(glossy and matt)
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Area of application and mode of action
The light protection varnish absorbs the ultra-violet component of light that is harmful to the durability of the image dyes in colour materials (colour photographic papers). The colourless
varnish dries quickly and leaves a
protective film on the treated colour papers and films, which, in addition to UV protection, particularly improves the surface’s resistance to
mechanical stress. Glossy light-protective varnish spray can also be used as a film-protective varnish
.
Scratches on films that cause interference during projection or enlargement can
be eliminated or reduced, depending on the depth of the scratch
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using light protection varnish (gloss only).
Light protection varnish spray replaces the previously known Repolisan for this application.
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Contents
Light protection varnish spray, gloss 400 ml Item No. 105190
Light protection varnish spray, matt 400 ml Item No. 105192
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Best regards,
Edi
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KlausWehner
Hi Edi,
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It’s not entirely clear at the moment what caused these streaks.
Chemical residues?
“Rubber abrasion” from the squeegee?
Pressure marks?
Scratch marks from the squeegee?
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That’s why I would first take a ‘minimally invasive’ approach to the problem:
intensive rinsing (30 minutes) followed by a bath with wetting agent (several minutes).
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With this treatment, chemical residues would have the chance to dissolve.
The emulsion could swell, and superficial pressure marks and scuff marks would have the opportunity to spread out or fill in again.
If any rubber particles are adhering to the film, you may need to wipe them off with your fingertip, using great care and without applying pressure.
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Only if that proves unsuccessful would I consider other measures.
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Best regards
Klaus
Wolf_XL
...my approach would be:
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1. Provide exposure for a new roll of film – preferably a different brand or emulsion to rule out film defects
2. Develop it yourself
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Problem solved? Send the film with streaks to a large-scale lab.
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Problem not solved? It’s a camera issue...
Gast
So, I’ve finally developed a film myself – it took a while because I had to set up my ‘darkroom’ first – in an old shed, so keeping it dark wasn’t exactly easy!!! And – no more streaks on the negative – which means the lab messed up!!!
Thanks again for all the replies!
Ungern-Sternberg
I have exactly the same streaks on a 6x6 negative (from a Yashica 124G). Something similar happened to me once with a very old Rolleiflex, though that was down to my own mistake: after the camera had been left unused for a long time, I loaded the film incorrectly; it was clearly a mechanical issue, and it never happened again.
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It shouldn’t be down to the film transport in my Yashica; it’s as good as new, and it’s never happened before with several rolls of film (always Kodak Tri-X) in the camera. I’ve never had any problems with previous developments using Rodinal.
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The only change is the developer: Ultrafin (1+10) in a tilting rhythm according to the Massive Development Chart (internet/app).
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Can anyone imagine that it might be down to Ultrafin??
