What causes light streaks on developed film, and could airport X-rays be responsible?
Asked 11/22/2022
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I got a roll back from the lab and several frames have pale streaks/lines across them. I’m new to film photography and this is the first time I’ve seen it. Could airport security X-rays cause marks like this, or is it more likely a camera problem such as a light leak?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
3y ago
2 Answers
5
Those stripes and areas look like light leaks to me...
The well defined line looks like a hole in the back plate that probably was exposed during film transport.
The wide, less defined light stripe could either be a problem with the lens or a light leak in the front part of the camera, but those are just guesses.
If this is 120 film it could also be that it was exposed to very bright light while handling the film (for example inserting or removing it in bright sunlight).
Originally by user24226. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user24226
3y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
These marks are much more consistent with light leaks than with airport X-rays.
From the examples described, the broad pale band is likely light entering near the take-up spool/back of the camera. A thinner, well-defined line in a fixed position suggests a separate leak, possibly from the film door/back plate area or a film-window area if your camera has one. On 120 film, similar fogging can also happen if the film was loaded or unloaded in very bright light.
A leak near the take-up side often changes slightly from frame to frame because the roll diameter grows as film winds on, which changes how long that section is exposed to stray light.
Best next step: replace the camera’s light seals and inspect the film back, hinges, and any window or damaged area for leaks. If you shoot 120, load and unload out of direct sunlight.
So: possible cause is the camera or film handling, not airport screening.
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AI3y ago
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