Btzs tube film scratching

Started using Btzs tubes today, developed 6 negs and all came out scratched. All negs have multiple long scratches on them. Is scratching an inherent flaw? The tube edges seem pretty sharp and am sure it happened while removing the negs from the tubes. The scratches are over an inch and there are 4-5 on all 6 negs. I am going to go back to trays. The btzs film testing and expodev is great but these tubes are not working out. Of the few times I used tray development never had any issues like this. The btzs guy talked me into the tubes. I planned on using trays but he went on about how/why I need the tubes. Any one else have experience with the tubes and scratching? When I first used them for film testing there were bits of plastic from manufacturing coming off the tubes. Anyone else have similar issues? Any help appreciated. Thank you.

My 4x5 and 8x10 tubes are the old gray ones. Very smooth opening. No scratching issues ever. I have a newer black plastic 8x10 tube, which has a sharper edge at the opening. Cup the film much smaller than the tube opening, and slide in, keeping the film away from the opening edge. Not a big fan of these black tubes. Are your 4x5 tubes black?

I have the black 4x5 tubes and never had a problem with scratches. The inside of the tube lip is rounded to help prevent this, but I also take care to not let the negative rub against the lip as I'm inserting/removing it.

I'm getting much more even development and less risk of damage than I did with trays or dip & dunk with tanks.

I realize that this is the obvious, the emulsion faces inside, not touching the tube. I made mine, 4X5, very easy to do. Your not wearing anything sharp, jewelry of any kind. I finished mine off with emery cloth, 1000 I believe. Never had a problem. I used PVC and spray painted them black, could not find any ABS around here.

Tube edges

I have the black tubes. They are a bit rough/sharp on the edges. In fact bits of plastic is pealing off the edges of the threads. Found plastic bits inside when doing film testing. Its like they were not manufactured right.
Sent off an email to fred. Awaiting a reply.

At least it's not you. Fred's YouTube's are full of great information. I've learned much from watching and re-watching them. Opened my eye's first time I saw the video's.

Old_Dick said:

At least it's not you. Fred's YouTube's are full of great information. I've learned much from watching and re-watching them. Opened my eye's first time I saw the video's.

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Fred who? Can you post a link? Not all of us are mindreaders.

Fred Newman. View Camera Store Dead Link Removed

I must be missing something here. How do you scratch the negative unless you inserted it with the emulsion facing out instead of in? It can be a common mistake if you are not used to handling large format film. But that is not the fault of the BTZS tube. If you are really scratching the acetate or polyester film substrate on the backside then you are being really rough on those poor negatives.

There is gelatin on both sides of a 4x5, so it is just as easy to scratch either side. The tube threads and edges need some cleaning up.

Pioneer said:

I must be missing something here. How do you scratch the negative unless you inserted it with the emulsion facing out instead of in? It can be a common mistake if you are not used to handling large format film. But that is not the fault of the BTZS tube. If you are really scratching the acetate or polyester film substrate on the backside then you are being really rough on those poor negatives.

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Pioneer said:

I must be missing something here. How do you scratch the negative unless you inserted it with the emulsion facing out instead of in? It can be a common mistake if you are not used to handling large format film. But that is not the fault of the BTZS tube. If you are really scratching the acetate or polyester film substrate on the backside then you are being really rough on those poor negatives.

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It's certainly possible to scratch the non-emulsion side of sheet film, but usually harder than damaging the emulsion side. Maybe the OP can confirm whether he's developing in the tubes "emulsion-side-in" or not. I can't see how the film would develop properly if the emulsion side were in contact with the sides of the tube...

Doremus

sfaber17 said:

There is gelatin on both sides of a 4x5, so it is just as easy to scratch either side. The tube threads and edges need some cleaning up.

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??? If you say so...

No emulsion side in. I exchanged the tubes for new ones and the scratching is far less frequent and less severe when it does happen. The first tubes were not smooth inside and the Threads were poorly finished leaving rough edges on the lips and peeling shreds of plastic. The new ones are far better finished. For $175.00/6 tubes they should have been finished correctly. Better yet if the were stainless steel they would be amazing.