LOMO INSTANT WIDE - white defect spots

[Makamoto]

Hey there! I'm a new proud user of Lomo Instant Wide, I have some problems with overexposed images, and more important, I also have some photos with white spots in the border.

I don't know if I'm using some defective film (FUJIFILM Instax Wide) so I can claim to the seller for a replacement, or I have another issue with the film or camera (maybe dirt in the rollers, or light leak). In the back of the photo, in the same spot you can see a red stain.

I uploaded this photos so you can see it:







Maybe you can help me with this.

Thanks! Regards.

 

[sevo]

The developer did not spread evenly across the whole area. That is either due to dried-up film, or to dirt on the pinch rollers. Given the irregular pattern most likely the former - a dirt encrusted roller will cause a repeated pattern (unless the blob of dirt falls off after the first turn and does not make another pass).

 

[Makamoto]

The developer did not spread evenly across the whole area. That is either due to dried-up film, or to dirt on the pinch rollers. Given the irregular pattern most likely the former - a dirt encrusted roller will cause a repeated pattern (unless the blob of dirt falls off after the first turn and does not make another pass).

Thanks for you quick reply!

So, your advise is to check the rollers and clean it.
"Unless... and does not make another pass" I don't get it, you're saying probably the dirt falls off and the next photos I will take don't present any defect?

 

[sevo]

It is unlikely that it is a problem with the rollers. How long has the film pack been out of its wrap? Is the film expired?

 

[Makamoto]

It is unlikely that it is a problem with the rollers. How long has the film pack been out of its wrap? Is the film expired?

Brand new film, I bought it in Amazon, not expired (I think august 2018).

One day since I open it and put it on the camera, the next day I shoot all the photos with that defect (5 exposures, all with white spots).

¿Defective batch of film? I bought two packs bundle. Maybe the other 10 photos pack also have some defect...

Thanks for helping me, I'm a total noob with these.
I was shooting with an old Polaroid 635 CL and impossible BW film.

 

[JoeV]

Both the exposure and evenness of developing are problems with the camera. If you watch some YouTube videos comparing, for example the Lomo with the Fujifilm 300 Wide, you'll see that the Lomo over-exposing is a known problem. It's caused by the light sensor being recessed too far into its hole in the camera body. People have taken to manually adjusting the exposure to compensate.

The uneven development is the pressure rollers aren't uniform to the film back. Both the Fuji and the Leica Instax Wide cameras are probably better made, though they don't have the degree of manual adjustment of the Lomo. But I have seen examples online where even the Fuji itself can have this problem.

My own Instax Wide 200 doesn't show this problem so it might come down to the luck of the draw.

I would recommend returning the camera and getting it exchanged.

~Joe

 

[Makamoto]

I would recommend returning the camera and getting it exchanged.

~Joe

Thanks JoeV, I've already send a message to LOMO and ask for a replacement.
I will try another pack of film, and let see what's happen.

 

[pvdhaar]

Store your cartridges lying flat and not on the side.

 

[Makamoto]

Store your cartridges lying flat and not on the side.

Can you tell why? In every cartridge there is a warning message "do not press, dont touch this side".

Its just curiosity.

 

[pvdhaar]

Can you tell why? In every cartridge there is a warning message "do not press, dont touch this side".

Its just curiosity.

The developer gel is contained in a pocket at the top of the print. After exposure, it is spread over the image by the rollers. The more even it's spread, the more even the developing process.

Now even though the gel isn't a liquid, it's still viscous and can slowly flow downward if the cartridge is sitting on the side for a long time. The results is an uneven spread of the developer over the image area.

 

[Makamoto]

The developer gel
Now even though the gel isn't a liquid, it's still viscous and can slowly flow downward if the cartridge is sitting on the side for a long time. The results is an uneven spread of the developer over the image area.

Ok, I get it. And whats about storing film. Should I put the cartridges on the refrigerator? I keep the impossible film on it. But regarding Instax, Im not so sure

 

[RLG]

Hey there! I'm a new proud user of Lomo Instant Wide, I have some problems with overexposed images, and more important, I also have some photos with white spots in the border.

I don't know if I'm using some defective film (FUJIFILM Instax Wide) so I can claim to the seller for a replacement, or I have another issue with the film or camera (maybe dirt in the rollers, or light leak). In the back of the photo, in the same spot you can see a red stain.

I uploaded this photos so you can see it:

View attachment 105529

View attachment 105531

View attachment 105532

Maybe you can help me with this.

Thanks! Regards.

The two pictures: clearly overexposed. The Lomo'Instant Wide has a flawed metering system. It chooses aperture 8 or 22 automatically. Sometimes I have had almost complete white pictures with no detail due to the camera taking aperture 8. Exposure compensation -1 does not help. As far as I can say: only usable in sunny weather and make sure the complete picture has not to many light or dark areas, so more an equal lightning of all subjects. The exposures are not consistent. Have a look at YouTube and you will find some useful reviews about the Lomo'Instant Wide concerning the inconsistent exposure. Indoors without flash gives acceptable results. Also flash is usable indoors but make sure you have a background nearby. Some advice: buy a lens hood to avoid white circles in the picture due to lens reflections.

Concerning the film: it seems defective to me. I never had an issue like that with Instax mini or Instax wide film and I'm using Instax from around early 2000.

Best