Defect on film or defect from processing?

Huss · Mar 26, 2021

Hello there!

I just had a roll of Kodak ProImage 100 developed by my local shop. Never an issue...
This roll though, when I checked the scans, has this unusual dimpling on it in very small patches. It is not on the entire surface of the film. It is only on the shiny side, and inconsistent where it is. It also is not on all of the images/film, but about the last 1/3 of them.

I've recently shot other rolls from this batch (it was part of a 5 pack) with no issues, using the same shop.

Here is a 150% crop from the image to show it:

So, flaw on the film or flaw somehow caused by processing? Film stored in fridge, current date etc.

wiltw · Mar 26, 2021

Your statement "This roll though, when I checked the scans, has this unusual dimpling on it in very small patches. It is not on the entire surface of the film. It is only on the shiny side, and inconsistent where it is. It also is not on all of the images/film, but about the last 1/3 of them."

You say it is on the shiney side of the film (base side), which would indicate mechanical damage to the base, at manufacturing or at processing or scanning.
It is variable in position, on some negs not others, only about 1/3 of the exposures. I would interpret that as merely indicative of a non-systemic issue, but nevertheless a problem in handling, either during roll processing (not in a dip tank) or during scanning (problem with mechanical feed of the strip of negatives. I somewhat doubt the likelhood of Kodak manufacturing issue.

Huss · Mar 26, 2021

I should clarify scanning. I am using a digicam. No mechanical feed, no running of the negs through some sort of track. So the film was not damaged in my possession post process.

wiltw · Mar 26, 2021

So we have ruled out damage during the scanning process...not a mechanizied scanner!

John Salim · Mar 27, 2021

They look like dryer roller marks from a minilab processor.

John S

foc · Mar 28, 2021

Something like this from a Noritsu film processor.

Huss · Mar 29, 2021

foc said:
Something like this from a Noritsu film processor.

View attachment 270854

The dimples are like tiny pin pricks, but in small patches. That pic would create way to big impressions.

Could this have happened if the film is put into the plastic sleeve too soon after developing i.e before properly dry?

foc · Mar 29, 2021

Huss said:
The dimples are like tiny pin pricks, but in small patches. That pic would create way to big impressions.

Could this have happened if the film is put into the plastic sleeve too soon after developing i.e before properly dry?

If the film was wet or damp and then put into the sleeving, it would stick to the sleeve.
One other idea I had but it might be off the wall. If after the film was processed and by mistake was dropped onto the ground and stood on, tiny particles of grit could cause damage like pinpricks.

Sirius Glass · Mar 29, 2021

Take the film back to the shop and ask.

wiltw · Mar 29, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Take the film back to the shop and ask.

And of course they will give an honest response ...when the guy is too new to know any different.

Sirius Glass · Mar 30, 2021

wiltw said:
And of course they will give an honest response ...when the guy is too new to know any different.

Like it cost you money to send it back?

Autonerd · Mar 31, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Like it cost you money to send it back?

To what end? Back in the day, if the lab botched development, their liability was limited to a replacement roll of film.

Although it'd be nice to think they'd want to find a problem with their processing.

Hopefully it's a one-time quirk, but if it happens again, time for a new lab.

Sirius Glass · Mar 31, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Like it cost you money to send it back?

Autonerd said:
To what end? Back in the day, if the lab botched development, their liability was limited to a replacement roll of film.

Although it'd be nice to think they'd want to find a problem with their processing.

Hopefully it's a one-time quirk, but if it happens again, time for a new lab.

Yes one may get a roll of film, but more important is an explanation. If an explanation is not forth coming then it is time to change the lab.

Huss · Apr 3, 2021

Apologies from lab, free dev for next roll, no idea what happened.
I actually dropped off another ‘test’ roll of ProImage before mentioning anything and no issues on that one.
I’ve had plenty of diff labs mess up film but have never seen this before so almost thinking the film was defective. Hmm. But would be weird that it would only be one roll out of the 5 pack.

foc · Apr 4, 2021

Huss said:
Apologies from lab, free dev for next roll, no idea what happened.

Glad you got it sorted.
It was good that the lab accepted responsibility but I would love to know what exactly happened.

Defect on film or defect from processing?

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