Can 120 film be damaged by impact?

Steven550 · Mar 3, 2016

Hi everyone, new to APUG, please go easy on me lol, I know this might seem like a daft question

I received a 5 pack of Portra 160 in the post today, and the box looked to have been hit quite hard on one edge, and had a slice along one side (Thankfully this hasn't penetrated the plastic wrapping or film beneath). Is there a chance that this could harm the film in such a way that it would be visible in the results?

I'm sure someone's going to say shoot it and see, but I don't want to put the time in taking the pics only to be disappointed should there be any defects in the resulting negatives.

Thanks in advance

Prest_400 · Mar 3, 2016

I've a still full pack of Portra 400 here in my desktop and looking at it seems that there is a bit of leeway between the rolls themselves, and the edge rolls with the box. At most, I think that the edge roll could have a slight bent spool (though it's plastic and should have no problem) and perhaps would help have edge light leaks, if there is a gap between spool head, film and the core. Still, I think it should be fine.

Steven550 · Mar 3, 2016

Thanks for your prompt reply

The spools all seem in good shape, I was wondering wether there could be any effect on the emulsion / substrate?

bdial · Mar 3, 2016

It's possible, but it's most likely fine.
You could open the roll that was nearest where the box was hit and see if there are any indentations in the backing paper.
It's not likely you will find anything though.
There are 3-4 layers of paper before you get to the film, which would cushion and disperse any pressure. A hit hard enough to cause pressure fogging on the film would probably be visible in the outer layer of backing paper.

If the spool flange is deformed you may get slight fogging, I have a roll I recently processed which got mashed in a car door.
I didn't notice the damage for a few days, the end of the spool was split and pulled away from the edge of the film.
The roll had a little bit of fogging in the rebate which didn't extend into the image area.

Steven550 · Mar 3, 2016

Thanks for your help, it looks fine 'externally', so I'll give it a go and see what the negs end up like

I'm surprised that your film survived being smashed in a door, I guess it's a lot more resilient than I would ever have expected haha

Thanks again!

BrianShaw · Mar 3, 2016

I've never worried about damage unless the paper shows crushing or the spoil is broken. But a good question!

Sirius Glass · Mar 3, 2016

Welcome to APUG

Old-N-Feeble · Mar 3, 2016

I would use the roll closest to the dent on photos that are less important. The most important thing is don't drop or otherwise impact the film after it's exposed lest you knock your images out of focus.

Truzi · Mar 3, 2016

You should be fine as long as there was no hard pressure to the emulsion - nothing strong enough to "squish" it. It's fairly resilient.

Old-N-Feeble said:
I would use the roll closest to the dent on photos that are less important. The most important thing is don't drop or otherwise impact the film after it's exposed lest you knock your images out of focus.

LOL, I was going to say that.

MattKing · Mar 3, 2016

If the film itself was dented or crimped it may very well be damaged.

It is, however, quite difficult to make that happen to a tightly rolled sandwich of film and paper backing surrounded by a foil wrapper and centred on a plastic spool.

Can 120 film be damaged by impact?

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