Horizontal scratch across the first few frames of a developed film roll

Asked 8/23/2018

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I developed a roll of Ilford HP5+ shot in a Leica and found a horizontal line/scratch across the first 4–5 frames. The mark is visible on the negative itself, so it is not a scanning issue. This has never happened before, and the camera was recently CLA’d. What is the most likely cause?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

2 Answers

5

If it’s limited to just the first few frames, there are two likely causes:

  1. It could have been caused while rolling the film in the developing holder or while removing the excess humidity on the film after the water bath.

  2. It could also be that the camera had some debris (left over by improperly cleaning it during the CLA, find another place for its next CLA) that was picked by first the few frames, creating the strike and clearing the debris.

You will know if the camera is fine after developing the next roll of film. Now you have a reason to load the Leica with a fresh roll, go out and take a few more pictures

Originally by user53218. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user53218

7y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A line across only the first few frames is most commonly a scratch from debris somewhere in the film path, or damage introduced during processing. Based on the answers, the likely causes are:

  • dirt/grit inside the camera scratching the film as it advances
  • debris left behind during or after the CLA
  • something in the developing reel/tank/process scratching the film during loading or drying

Because it affects only the beginning of the roll, a small piece of debris may have scratched the film for a few frames and then moved or fell away.

What to do:

  • inspect and clean the camera’s film rails, gate, pressure plate, and take-up area
  • check your developing reel/tank and handling process for anything that could mark wet film
  • run another test roll to see whether the problem repeats

If the next roll is clean, it was likely a one-off piece of debris or processing issue. If it happens again, the camera should be inspected again, especially since it was recently serviced.

UniqueBot

AI

7y ago

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