Kodak Ektar 120 Exp. 09/2026 Estar Base CURLS MISERABLY

[BurntOutElectronics]

I found an instruction sheet on it. The called it an Estar AH base, whatever that is. But I do remember it having a different feel about it.. It was clear and had no anti-light piping dye in it.,like regular Kodak film. Seems like it might have been a bit thinner too, but I can't be sure of that. Not sure if it pertains to the OP's question, other than he said 120 film, which is thinner than 35mm, as far as I ever knew. All film is made in rolls. The people whose film came from the outer layers of the master roll naturally go flatter film than the ones who got the inner layers. Maybe he was just unlucky and got a roll cut from the first layer.

I've shot HIE recently and can confirm what you say about the look and feel. Still, I was able to dry it fairly flat. Curl was worse than some films but not terrible

 

[mshchem]

I believe the early non curling films had an extra gelatin layer applied to the non- emulsion side to even things out.

The current films are certainly fit for intended use, not sure about making a direct contact sheet. Clearly this is not a impossible problem to solve. I have 70mm Plus-X coated on polyester base, it doesn't do this.