Fine scratches on 4x5 film

BmurphyRZ67

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
21
Location
Wilmington,
Format
Medium Format
Hi all. I'm new to 4x5, and I have a question. For practice, I sacrificed a sheet of film to make sure I was getting a handle on the loading process for film backs, and I noticed upon removing the sheet that there are very fine scratches on the rear of the sheet (non-emulsion side). I would think that these would be inconsequential, and I would not see them except under very extreme enlargement. I just want to make sure I'm not botching sheets before I even shoot and develop. I'm very careful when loading, and I make sure that the sheet does not touch the bottom flap of the film back. There is no debris in the holder or on the film. As I said, they're very fine scratches, just a curiosity. Thank you!
 

clayne

Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
2,764
Location
San Francisc
Format
Multi Format
Fairly normal to pick up light non gouging surface scratches during the film handling process. They won't cause an issue.
 

George Collier

Subscriber
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
1,363
Location
Richmond, VA
Format
Multi Format
To minimize this, be sure to clean out holders before loading, every time. Some use a brush, some a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. I like to shoot some compressed air through the felt light trap. By compressed air, I mean canned, not from a compressor - unless the air from the compressor is absolutely oil and moisture free.
 
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