Are these artifacts light leaks or expired film?

r-mm · May 8, 2014

I've just run my third roll of (expired) film thru my new used SQ-A. Partway thru the roll the back came open, just a bit. One photo has a clear white streak across it, predictable. However all the photos have an orange artifact running in roughly the same shape thru the middle of them. This is most clearly seen here

But also quite clearly seen here and here once you know what to look for.

Thoughts? Old film? Leak? Other?

I had the film processed at the same lab I always use, without incident, and I scanned myself on the V500.

DWThomas · May 8, 2014

It doesn't look like any of the patterns I associate with an SQ-xx light leak, but then it's possible I haven't seen them all yet!

A question that comes to mind: Does the pattern appear to carry through the spaces between frames or into the beginning/end of the film strip? Admittedly since they are rather weak and diffused, it may be hard to tell by eye. Were it me, I would probably run a fresh roll of film through as a diagnostic.

(But don't rush to do that, someone else may yet weigh in with some useful experience!)

snapguy · May 8, 2014

rule

My personal opinion is that it sure looks like a light leak. But I also think that is not the issue. I think you need to make a rule that if the camera is new to you, the first roll you run through it should be a well treated in-date one. You are using an I-don't-know roll of film with an as yet I-don't-know camera and, as we used to say, you are crusin' for a brusin'. Why make it harder than it should be? Good luck.

jp80874 · May 9, 2014

r-mm said:
Partway thru the roll the back came open, just a bit. /QUOTE]

In larger cameras, Sandy King taught me, you determine if you have a light leak by taking it in a darkroom (PITCH BLACK), putting a lighted flashlight in the camera with a closed lens and lens board on, and sitting down for a wait for your eyes to adjust. At about seven minutes by moving the camera around, I could see a tiny sliver of light. That sliver was enough to have a 1/2" of light on the left side of a 7x17" negative.

With that for perspective, consider your statement, " Partway thru the roll the back came open, just a bit. "

John Powers

gone · May 9, 2014

I agree, on a new camera you must use a new roll of film (unexpired). It's impossible to know what is going on otherwise. And if the back came open......start over.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 9, 2014

For what it's worth, I just recently blasted off four rolls of expired C-41 film, just to get started again with home color developing, to work out the kinks of my process, how to keep temperature stable, the lid of the tank from leaking, etc.
The 35mm film had some very odd color and density shifts, slightly more abrupt than in the photos posted above, but still something I attribute to the film. I also ran some fresh C41 film which came out pristine, shot in the same camera.

You will never know if it was the film or the camera unless you test with some fresh film to see if you can duplicate the problem. It is true, however, as has been said, if the back came off it's a good idea to suspect that the results will not be perfect.

r-mm · May 9, 2014

Thanks guys. Fresh Portra is loaded up and will get shot this weekend. I'll try to update this thread when I have some more data points.

whlogan · May 9, 2014

Light leak nothwithstanding you have some nice photos there....love the Bronicas, there.... just bought an old Bronica C as a trip down ol memory lane... my first one was in Vietnam in 67 and we both got shot at... very un-neighboly of them, I thought.

Logan

r-mm · May 9, 2014

Thanks! Still not satisfied with my V500 scans and amature post work, but I did like a few of the shots I got.

removed account4 · May 9, 2014

r-mm said:
Thanks guys. Fresh Portra is loaded up and will get shot this weekend. I'll try to update this thread when I have some more data points.

if you canfigure out how to get that orange stuff again, patent it, amazonjust patented "product photography"

John Koehrer · May 10, 2014

The discoloration is from being light struck when the back opened. Even with the backing in place. It can happen.

"It can't happen here", Repeat 3 times..............Credit to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.

Are these artifacts light leaks or expired film?

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