1/16th inch line (extra density) on 8x10 negs. What's causing the problem?

[bobbysandstrom]

I noticed the line, which is about 1/16 inch thick and about 1/8 inch in from the film edge, on a number of negs. The line is at the dark slide end of the neg, ie the top of the film holder. I'm thinking some sort of light leak or reflection from the bellows. Has anyone experienced this and if so how did you solve the problem? The holders are almost new and made by fidelity. Could a lens shade possibly solve the problem? PS, I know it's not in the processing as it has occured with tray and tube semi-stand.

thanks for your help

 

[Petzi]

A scan or photo of the negative would be helpful.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Possibilities might be light leaks or bellows flare (though this usually wouldn't produce a very precise thin line). A scan would help.

Does it happen with both horizontals and verticals? If it tends to happen with verticals and you're shooting in bright sun, then light coming through the light trap would be suspect, and you might just be careful not to pull the darkslide until you're ready to shoot, and cover the darkslide opening with the darkslide or darkcloth until you make the exposure.

 

[Jim Jones]

Could it be a reflection from the film gate of the holder or camera back? I agree with David, a bellows leak or dark slide light trap leak shouldn't do this.

 

[bobbysandstrom]

Now that I've thought about it for a while, I'm guessing it's light entering the opening after the darkslide is pulled. I remember waiting for wind with some of these shots and didn't have the end covered. (I'm aware of and turn the film holder/back away from the sun, however, there were bright rocks/clouds.) Do 8x10 fidelity holders leak at the darkslide end?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

They shouldn't leak, but if bright light is falling on the darkslide opening for a long time, it's always a risk with any kind of filmholder, just like you wouldn't want to leave an exposed and rewound roll of 35mm sitting out in the bright sun with the felt light trap open to the sky.

 

[Stephen Benskin]

I occasionally have this problem too. I believe it is cause by reflections off the inside edge of the film holder. Some recommend "matting" down the edge by filing, scratching, scrubbing, or what ever abrasive technique you fancy.

 

[sanking]

Is the line on the bottom or top of the film, or on both top and bottom. If on the top only, I would suspect first a slight light leak. To eliminate, keep the dark slide on the camera at all times when the holder is inserted. If on both bottom and top I would agree with Steve Benskin that is probably reflection of light from the film holder. I have experienced both conditions in practice.

Sandy

I noticed the line, which is about 1/16 inch thick and about 1/8 inch in from the film edge, on a number of negs. The line is at the dark slide end of the neg, ie the top of the film holder. I'm thinking some sort of light leak or reflection from the bellows. Has anyone experienced this and if so how did you solve the problem? The holders are almost new and made by fidelity. Could a lens shade possibly solve the problem? PS, I know it's not in the processing as it has occured with tray and tube semi-stand.

thanks for your help

 

[bobbysandstrom]

Yeah, I think it's from having the slide out too long. I was waiting for the wind for quite a while on some of the shots I remember. I'll cover the end with my dark cloth from now on and hopefully that'll cure the problem.

Thanks

Bob