Strange Wally World "scratches" ...

[dmr]

This has certainly been a strange week as far as DO/CD jobs.

Today I dropped off a roll at a convenient Wally World for a DO/CD and picked it up on the way back to the hotel. When I put the CD on the laptop I was very disappointed to see what appeared to be at first one really bad and one kinda bad scratch. 🙁 (see attached)

I was just about to drive back to Wally World and demand my $$$ back and a free roll of film, when I took a good look at the negatives. When I had film scratched at the old Target' mini lab I could see the scratches clearly with the naked eye. These were very clean on both sides.

I then used my normal lens as a loupe and gave them a very careful inspection, and yes, there were two dark marks running across the negatives. These were not scratches, but looked like an EXTREMELY fine felt pen. I took some bottled water and a cotton ball and sure enough, they came off!

Has anybody else seen this before?

I'm sure they would re-scan them at no charge, but quite honestly I'm afraid to let them or their machines touch them again. 🙁

Oh well ...

 

[Aardvark Aallen]

I've never had anything like you recount. Maybe I'm lucky. What about an actual photoshop chain doing your work? Or one of the franchised / licenced Fuji or Kodak labs?? I guess there could still be 'pilot error' on the equipment but most operators are at least exposed to some level of pro supervision and training.

 

[jlw]

It looks as if it might be something "tracking" off one of the rollers that move the film through the equipment. This could happen with any type of roller transport machine (which is one reason custom labs still develop film on reels.)

You might try asking them to scan the negs again, but clean the equipment first.

 

[dmr]

I've never had anything like you recount. Maybe I'm lucky. What about an actual photoshop chain doing your work? Or one of the franchised / licenced Fuji or Kodak labs?? I guess there could still be 'pilot error' on the equipment but most operators are at least exposed to some level of pro supervision and training.

Actually, I've had good luck at both Walgreens and Walmart. This Walmart was right on my way and they have done a good job for me before. This is a rare exception, but I don't want to chance it again, maybe new people or a machine that needs cleaning.