Just got film back from a local lab with black dots all over it.

[gxace7]

Greetings!

I've recently got back a roll of box speed Portra 800 from a local lab and upon scanning, I noticed a bunch of black dots all over every image. I noticed a different sheen to the film as I was loading it into my scanner, a little but more textured than usual, and thought something might be up.

I've actually just recently got back two rolls, one of Vista 400 (new) and an expired roll of Kodak Max 800 and they both have had similar issues. There were used all in different cameras and environments from the same lab.

Is there anything I can tell the lab to try and fix their machine? Has anyone seen this issue before?

Thank you for any help!

 

[sepiareverb]

There is a known issue with the Kodak cassette felts bleeding dust in the camera and on the film. I'm not able to see anything on that scan you've uploaded tho, besides one white hair.

 

[Bendj]

I've experienced similar in the past due to old stabiliser becoming crystallised. Looks like Fuji or Agfa Vista film judging by the stripes.

 

[Huss]

When the lab messes up like this - and they did - the only thing you can do to 'save' the images is to post process them creatively to use the flaws in the image. Own them.

 

[gxace7]

Sorry, I didn't realize how low quality that photo I uploaded was. Here is a larger resolution version where you can clearly see the issue.

This image is Portra 400 and the negative image I posted was indeed Agfa Vista.


https://imgur.com/a/hXEpw

 

[Bendj]

Do the negs feel grainy to touch? If so you could always give them a wash and see if you can remove it.

 

[underlord]

They look like tadpoles but very uniform in their spread. No help at all, I know.

 

[Pete B]

I had an issue with my Perkeo 2 shedding paper fibres from its bellows causing this effect. Could also be caused by an issue such as that described by Sepiareverb in post #2.
Pete

 

[gxace7]

I have tried washing the negatives with film cleaner to no avail.

Also, this has happened in multiple cameras, with multiple film stocks. The only non-changing variable is the lab.

They are also not a dip and dunk lab.

 

[shimokita]

I had the same problem with Portra 160... it was a mess, and the follow-on roll that I ran through the same camera had the same problem... as mentioned it seems to be a known problem with Kodak / Portra. In my case the development was done at a Kodak lab. To make matters worse the lab left a yellow stain on about 4-5 frames. I sent it back but they could not correct the problem.

For now I am off Kodak films... YMMV

 

[Huss]

..this has happened in multiple cameras, with multiple film stocks. The only non-changing variable is the lab.

1. Ask the lab for a refund as they messed up your film. Many times apparently.
2. Use a different lab.

 

[sepiareverb]

Sorry, I didn't realize how low quality that photo I uploaded was. Here is a larger resolution version where you can clearly see the issue.

Ugh. Time for a new lab.

 

[dtcls100]

What lab is it? Want to make sure I never use them!

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

Sorry about your troubles, it's not like you can just go out to the lighthouse tomorrow and get a do-over.
The lab I use for color is why I want to shoot only B&W now, if the development gets messed up, I'm the one to blame, and there is less grumbling, and less money spent.