Huge Kodak numbers appearing inside actual negative, whats going on?!

I've never seen this problem before, there are large numbers on the actual negative inside the frame, for multiple frames of this T-MAX 400 film. I have tried to exaggerate it as much as possible, does anyone know what the hell is going on?!


T-MAX 400, D:76 1:1 9 minutes at 68F, TF-4

Why would these numbers be present?!

You're getting exposure from the back side of the backing paper.

Essentially light is going through the backing paper where the numbers are, and exposing onto the film. This can happen if you have light leak in your camera which this appears to be, or it can also happen from old film that's aged, essentially the ink from the paper that's touching the film can cause the exposure chemically but we are talking 20 year old rolls. So it's probably light leak in your camera causing light to expose through the backing paper.

Does that make sense?


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StoneNYC said:

You're getting exposure from the back side of the backing paper.

Essentially light is going through the backing paper where the numbers are, and exposing onto the film. This can happen if you have light leak in your camera which this appears to be, or it can also happen from old film that's aged, essentially the ink from the paper that's touching the film can cause the exposure chemically but we are talking 20 year old rolls. So it's probably light leak in your camera causing light to expose through the backing paper.

Does that make sense?


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Click to expand...

That doesn't seem logical, the backing paper is dark and opaque, how could light pass through it and only pass through the numbers as if they were cutouts? They are ink, not cutouts. I have TMAX 100 and Portra 160 rolls from the same exact session with absolutely no issues, no light leaks, no watermarks. A light leak would at least show up with organic light shapes, which is not present in this problem roll anywhere. These are new TMAX400 rolls from B&H...this is not a light leak.

Edit: these folks at APUG were recently diagnosing this same exact issue, this is no light leak
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

moodlover said:

That doesn't seem logical, the backing paper is dark and opaque, how could light pass through it and only pass through the numbers as if they were cutouts? They are ink, not cutouts. I have TMAX 100 and Portra 160 rolls from the same exact session with absolutely no issues, no light leaks, no watermarks. A light leak would at least show up with organic light shapes, which is not present in this problem roll anywhere. These are new TMAX400 rolls from B&H...this is not a light leak.

Edit: these folks at APUG were recently diagnosing this same exact issue, this is no light leak
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Click to expand...

I mentioned light leak because of the apparent streak of light across the entire corner of the film, that looks like light leak to me, but what do I know?

I did also mention a possible chemical problem where the ink from the numbers could chemically develop a latent image on the film. It does appear from your link that there's a Kodak issue at hand, though I've bought new film from Kodak recently and so far haven't had an issue, I'll have to test a roll from the newest order now, either way be sure to load the camera in the shade and not expose the rolls to unnecessary light, seems the paper might be too thin, remember backing paper isn't light proof, just light resistant.

Good luck, It can be an ink and chemical exposure issue if the whole roll is the same.

If in fact the roll starts stronger at one end and gets weaker as the numbers go, then it's probably a backing paper light leak THROUGH the paper backing when rolled up issue, in which case, stay out of the light.

Seems like a possibly large issue based on the linked thread though, sorry to hear. Best of luck.


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FYI, I just went trough a box of Kodak TMY-2 dated 09/2017 and it seems just fine, so just thought I would let people know that it is safe.

Perhaps there's a humidity issue going on? Was the film stored in the fridge after being shot?



I'm still curious to discover the mystery, mostly because I want to know how to cause it to happen.

I know this can be done with light leak from the back of the camera but wondering how else it can be done if this is a post shoot mishap somehow.

Anyway just figured I would update everyone.

don't think its a post issue

your post on apug gives you the explanation that kodak has offered up
it has to do with excessive heat.
call their customer service number, and find out who to send your negatives to
and send them the film so they can analyse what happened. the same thing has happened
with others with the same film.

nice portrait btw !