Is it me or Fuji processor?

[joeyk49]

I have been using an automated lab service (Fuji products) to develop my film (until I get my darkroom set up) and have been getting negs and prints back with a light band going vertically through the images. The color shows up red on the prints.

I first thought that I had a light leak in the camera. But it doesn't occur on every frame. and they are not the same intensity. Some bands are very strong while others are faint. The occurance goes all the way from one edge to the other of the negative, which tells me that its not coming from the lens side of the camera.

Someone told me that it may be the developer/processor; a dirty roller or something. Has anyone seen this before?

See scan of negative...

 

[joeyk49]

Oh yeah...I'm well aware of the poor quality of the shot. I was shooting on the fly and just hope to get something I could dress up later...the kids were moving and my 3xi, presto change-o, suddenly became a point and shoot...

 

[glbeas]

The times I've seen this is from light fogging through the felt trap on the 35mm cartidge. Maybe the cartridges were left under a bright light for too long before processing.

 

[clogz]

If you have a camera with a film window in the back, strong sunlight may get through the light seal surrounding this window. It happened to my F80 (only two years old)
Hans

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Definitely a light leak. If you only get this near the beginning of the roll, then I'd go with Gary's theory--don't load the camera or leave film in direct sunlight.

If it happens in various places on the roll, then I suspect it's time to send your camera to have the light seals replaced (usually a good time for a general CLA as well--the mirror damper is often made of the same material as the light seals). Light leaks like this will vary from frame to frame, because sometimes the leaky side of the camera isn't exposed to direct light, and leaks are more likely to show up when the film isn't advanced for a long time.

 

[joeyk49]

Thanks guys. Iguess 15 years is a little to long to expect light seals to last...

Yes, my 3xi does have a film window and inspection of the foam there make sme a little suspicious. It does look to me that this may be the culprit. In addition to a tune up, I think I'll take it out of service for a while, just to confirm my/our suspicions.

Joe

 

[clogz]

Hello Joe,
If it is the light seal that is crumbling and getting gooey you'd better replace all of it. It happened to some of my cameras from the internet I got some ready-made sets at www.kameradoctor.de
Regards
Hans