AndrewNYC
Established
I have consistent scratching of my film from my Leica m2. Has anyone had this happen? What are the options for fixing it? Thanks. The line appears in similar spots running the length of the roll of film.
Film Scratches
- Thread starter AndrewNYC
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jordanstarr
J.R.Starr
If they're straight lines, it will be on your pressure plate. Either replace it or clean it up. I'm in the same boat, but they're light enough not to show on prints, so I suffer and endure until I can find a replacement I can afford.
AndrewNYC
Established
Is that the only place it could be? Is the fact that I can neither see nor feel anything on the pressure plate meaningful? Or is the imperfection likely so slight I couldn't tell?
jan normandale
Film is the other way
I'd definitely clean the pressure plate with a moist jcloth not wet and spend about 5 minutes gently wiping the plate. A jcloth's fibres may detect or catch onto anything that has affixed itself to the plate. Also check the edges of the plate because the culprit could be on the portion of the plate closest to the take up.
If there's no evidence of matter on the plate I would check some other forums like the LUG to see if it has been discussed there. Good luck!
If there's no evidence of matter on the plate I would check some other forums like the LUG to see if it has been discussed there. Good luck!
AndrewNYC
Established
Just checked with loop and flashlight
Just checked with loop and flashlight
and the scratches are on the non-emulsion side. Does that change the potential culprit?
Just checked with loop and flashlight
and the scratches are on the non-emulsion side. Does that change the potential culprit?
Fred R.
Established
Are you using reuseabe cassettes? Could be that.
AndrewNYC
Established
Nope. No self loading. Although the M2 is old fashioned loading type with the piece that needs be threaded in.
fates
Established
Never put it past your developer to have done it. Got one roll back the other day that was scratched, I looked up and down on the m4-p thinking there had to be something along the pressure plate that was doing it. Nothing. Thoughtless developer was to blame.
Chris101
summicronia
When I was experiencing a single scratch on the long side of all the frames, I reasoned that it must be something on the base side of the film, in my M4-P. I could feel nothing, but of course there are a couple parts of the film path where my fingertips cannot get.
I took a piece of matte finish printing paper, and used it to rub the entire path of the film - every surface. It took me about half an hour to get everywhere with enough strokes to dislodge any bits of dust, or whatever. It HAS to be the camera. I have eliminated every other source of concern.
Hopefully that did the trick - the roll to test it for cleanliness is currently half done. I seem to shoot extra slow during the summer. Maybe cause it's a hundred and ****teen out there.
I took a piece of matte finish printing paper, and used it to rub the entire path of the film - every surface. It took me about half an hour to get everywhere with enough strokes to dislodge any bits of dust, or whatever. It HAS to be the camera. I have eliminated every other source of concern.
Hopefully that did the trick - the roll to test it for cleanliness is currently half done. I seem to shoot extra slow during the summer. Maybe cause it's a hundred and ****teen out there.
charjohncarter
Veteran
If you are using a lab to develop, their machines can scratch film. I've had it happen.
Fred R.
Established
More likely a film processing error than damaged pressure plate.
JohnTF
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I would try another lab, and talk to the first.
I have a friend who runs a mini lab at Campus Camera, and they clean the rollers daily or anytime they see a scratch.
Some mini labs have rollers that get swapped out on a regular basis, and then out there, there are a lot of variables in other labs.
Scratches on the base, sounds like pressure plate, I would put a loupe on it to begin with. If you can overlap your negatives from different rolls and they match up, it should give you an idea where to look, obviously don't forget the image is "upside" down as are all real images.
Regards, John
I have a friend who runs a mini lab at Campus Camera, and they clean the rollers daily or anytime they see a scratch.
Some mini labs have rollers that get swapped out on a regular basis, and then out there, there are a lot of variables in other labs.
Scratches on the base, sounds like pressure plate, I would put a loupe on it to begin with. If you can overlap your negatives from different rolls and they match up, it should give you an idea where to look, obviously don't forget the image is "upside" down as are all real images.
Regards, John
ChipMcD
Well-known
This has happened to me as well with an M6. Very frustrating. I haven't been using the camera for awhile but will take it out to see if I can see what's up.
AndrewNYC
Established
Has to be the camera
Has to be the camera
I've gotten film back from LA and NYC processors with the same problem. It's going to Youxin anyway for a CLA and recover. We'll see if he can figure it out.
Has to be the camera
I've gotten film back from LA and NYC processors with the same problem. It's going to Youxin anyway for a CLA and recover. We'll see if he can figure it out.
JohnTF
Veteran
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Have you tried a scrap roll of film? Just a thought, if you run some film through it, and check with a loup on the base for marks, possibly all done in the light, you might nail down a spot for a bit of polishing? Yeoxin should set it right.
Regards, John
Regards, John
