Film or development issue?

[redsky]

Hey, Merry Christmas.
Hopefully you can clarify:

Kentmere 400 (first time I used it) shot with a Olympus EC, developed in Xtol 1:0. I got this banding that goes across the film width, including the sprocket holes, in every single frame. I thought that the camera had some weird leak or I had done something stupid during development, although it seems unlikely, since it happened in every frame in the same position.

I shot the roll just to estimate development times anyway, so I didn't care too much.

Today I shot a second roll in a Nikon FG, and this time I got a very similar - but not identical issue.

So, what could be causing this? My FG is very tight and I am sure there are no leaks. I cannot understand how I could have loaded the film in the reel in a way that would cause this same "overdeveloped" band in the same position in each frame. Is it a problem with the film?

I bought a box with 10 rolls, and I am afraid of using the remaining 8 now.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[eric rose]

almost looks like your film is touching in the developing reel.

 

[newsgrunt]

If the problem's in the EXACT same spot in EVERY frame then I'd consider processing issues unlikely.

Waste an unexposed roll, soup it and see if the issues remain.

 

[Roger Hicks]

If the problem's in the EXACT same spot in EVERY frame then I'd consider processing issues unlikely.

Waste an unexposed roll, soup it and see if the issues remain.

Equally, if it's in the EXACT same spot on every frame, can you think of a film fault that would create it?

Cheers,

R.

 

[FrankS]

No. If it's in the same place in each frame, then it's the camera.

 

[newsgrunt]

presuming the pressure plate is working, trying to figure out how would this 'leak' would spread to the sprocket holes ?

can you scan the entire frame and possibly a strip of frames from both cameras ? a simple digi shot would do.

 

[redsky]

Thank you for the answers.

I also thought at first the film was touching the reel walls or the film itself, but the repeating pattern makes it difficult to justify.

It's in the EXACT same place in each frame, this is true for both rolls, and this is why I find it so inexplicable. I cannot accept two different cameras have almost the same issue. The Olympus I had never used before, but the FG has always worked fine.

I will scan the film with the sprocket holes and will post it soon.

Thanks

 

[FrankS]

presuming the pressure plate is working, trying to figure out how would this 'leak' would spread to the sprocket holes ?

can you scan the entire frame and possibly a strip of frames from both cameras ? a simple digi shot would do.

True, but a light leak or developing issue with the film wound on the spiral, isn't going to coincidentally match up with the image frame.

 

[redsky]

Sorry for the crappy snapshots. Shot in front of a reflector to backlight it, that's why it's round.

FG:

Olympus:

You can notice how the Olympus one shows even for those two frames that the camera didn't expose at all.

Also, you will find that the density on the films is different - so the problem is not so apparent in one of these photos - because one was developed for 7min and the other for 4:30 min

 

[newsgrunt]

If you still have them, is there a batch #on the box ? I find it hard to believe that two separate cameras can have similar results even though the FG is more distinct and odd looking. Also can't see how anything processing related could result in this.

I'd be inclined to rule out xray damage in shipping as well and bet on something related to edge marking and cutting from the master roll.

 

[nikon_sam]

I would try developing an unexposed roll...
It's wierd that the band shows up almost in the exact same position in the frame from two different cameras...
Also try lining up (using the factory edge markings) the same frame numbers from the two rolls and see if the band lines up...my money is on the film...not the camera...

 

[redsky]

Thank you all who answered. Mistery solved:
Yes, the leaks in the two different rolls and cameras were pretty much in the same point in the film, maybe 1mm apart. I followed your advice and developed one foot of unexposed film, it came out clean. I put the film in my FG, exposed a few frames, developed, and yes...

After much searching I found out that the pressure plate is attached to a couple of hooks were actually made by punching the metal inwards, which produces literally four holes on the back of the camera. I had recently changed the leather of my FG, and I didn't glue the new skin close enough (like half 1mm) to the film memo; light was passing through two of the holes.

The problem with the Olympus is just the light seal that is worn.

Bad coincidence, that was it.

Thanks again.

 

[nikon_sam]

That's just too weird...I was sure it would be the film since it happened with two different cameras...I'm glad you found the problems...now back to the regularly scheduled program...