black on the edges of 35mm negatives; light leak? m4-p

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

Hi there,
My negatives have a very thin black smear along the edges, what is the cause of this?
leica m4-p

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

just the very edge, nothing on the actual image.

jerl · May 15, 2011

Can you post a scan of the negatives so we can have a look?

Newt_on_Swings · May 15, 2011

It could be from any number of things. Light leaks usually leave streaks across the image since even a small hole can project a larger image, a continuous edge might be from your processing reels most likely. what manufacturer is the film? and how was it processed? and do you bulk load?

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

kodak tx400, stainless steel reels and tank, not bulk loaded.

tomalophicon · May 15, 2011

Are you using enough developer to cover the entire film?

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

yes, of course, I fill it to the top.

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

it happens to both reels.

tomalophicon · May 15, 2011

I'd try another camera, or put some cheap colour negative film in to get developed and see if it happens there too.

Luseboy · May 15, 2011

I have had this problem, well not really a problem, but result with bulk-loaded films before. I don't think its anything to worry about as long as it doesn't affect the actual image.

Worker 11811 · May 15, 2011

Same thing happens to me with bulk loaded Legacy Pro regardless of the camera I use.

I have to assume that it is some kind of leak in the Watson loader's shutter or in the cartridges.

Rolling film in subdued light and protecting the cartridges from direct light seems to lessen the problem for me.

desi8888 · May 15, 2011

it is not bulk loaded, but you are right, nothing to worry about since it does not affect the image. I'm just curious as to what could be causing it.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 15, 2011

desi8888 said:
it is not bulk loaded, but you are right, nothing to worry about since it does not affect the image. I'm just curious as to what could be causing it.

The idea of sending a color film to a lab makes sense.
If the problem is still there - camera problem.
If it's gone - process problem.

It would at least tell you where to start looking if you really wish to solve it.

hoshisato · May 16, 2011

I have this issue when using plastic reels, I always assumed that not too much developer makes it in the grooves of the reels.

Worker 11811 · May 16, 2011

There's a thought.

Could it be because the film is getting bruised along the edges as it is being fed through the ball bearings and onto the reel?
I'll have to go back and look at the patterns on some of my film. It doesn't happen all the time. Maybe I have one reel that is bruising the film?

black on the edges of 35mm negatives; light leak? m4-p

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