Scratches using a AP film loader

Peter^

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Just started using a new AP Film loader with new metal cassettes. The results are very disappointing.

Ideas anyone?
 

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Yep, the vertical looks more of a streak than a scratch.

Maybe a light leak or a shutter issue in the camera or an uneven development?

The horizontal look like scratches - maybe too forceful swiping off the water after you take off the film? I use JOBO rubber "snappers", keep it religiously clean (I have had similar scratched films in the past because of the dust get inbetween during the excess water swiping) and use almost no force when I swipe the water drops off the film - so don't push it with force. In fact I find often it's better to do it with your own fingers to have the correct feel of the force you apply since some films have VERY fragile emulsion (utterly prone for scratches when wet).

I have no experience with AP loader or cassettes, but no reel should touch this part of the film, they touch only the corners.
 
I have run into occasional problems with scratch lines on my loaded film. Usually the cause is my own forgetfulness when I forget to turn the light trap from closed to open.

I have also had problems with squeegees so I have pretty much given up using them. Now I use my own fingers to swipe the water off before hanging them to dry.

Those for me have been the biggest offenders. I have been told to watch for dust or dirt in the felt light traps but usually the felt traps start to fall apart. I have never had dirt in them that I have noticed.
 
The loader scratches I used to get (before IXMOOs) tended to waver a bit and varied in density along the length. Your horizontal scratches look very consistent - might be a scanner issue. Examine the neg carefully with a loupe. If the neg is really scratched, review your whole workflow and aim for best practice at every step. Be paranoid!
 
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