Please help me diagnose this..

[Nando]

Hi guys,

Yesterday, I got a roll of film developed at the grocery store and it came back with a light-streak going all the way down the middle of the film. The streak is stronger at the very beginning, the very middle and very end of the film. I was able to save three or four shots but the rest of them were ruined.

I used my M3 with a 35f2.8 Summaron and 50f2 DR Summicron. This is the first time something like this happened with my M3. I'm in the process of shooting a test roll now to see if the problem is still there. But in the meantime, do you guys think this is a film processing issue or an issue with the camera? Below are two photos. The last one was an accidental shot with the lens cap on the lens.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,
Fernando

 

[nikon_sam]

Can you see anything between the frames??? Or at the beginning or end of the roll...
Try a completely different roll of film and use another 1 hour photo store...
My first guess would be it's not the camera...

 

[Nando]

Thanks for responding Sam. Yes, the streaks are present in between the frames. The streaks are present throughout the roll but very strong at the beginning, in the very middle and at the very end. I'm currently shooting another roll and will be taking it to a different store.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I don't think it is the camera either. I suspect the film processing machine's lid wasn't on tight (the top of the machine hinges open to allow the racks to be removed and cleaned).

 

[Nando]

Thanks Christopher. I'm feeling a bit more at ease now.

 

[nikon_sam]

Sounds like it's the processor and not the camera...if you can see the blank area between frames (even though the streak is there) it rules out a light leak...
Better luck on the next roll and give an update...

 

[Nando]

Thanks same. I can still see the blank area. I'll keep you guys posted.