Light leak or lab failures

[mimashita]

Although developing bw film by myself, I rely totally on minilab services for color film development. The last film I got from the lab has significant color stains. Since I have not so much knowledge about color process, it is hard for me to determine whether they come from a failed development or from a light leak in the camera.

Link to the pictures photographed:
https://mimashita.tumblr.com/post/169299227803/problems

The stains are blue and red in prints, and yellow and green on the film. They also cover more than just one frame. Unfortunately have no scanner at hand to produce decent evidence. However the stains are big enough to see from the phone camera pics.

Would be really lovely to know what caused the stains. Hopefully not the lab, as there is no nearby alternative But the gut feeling tells the opposite...

Thank you for advice!

 

[rpavich]

Light leak

 

[trendland]

Although developing bw film by myself, I rely totally on minilab services for color film development. The last film I got from the lab has significant color stains. Since I have not so much knowledge about color process, it is hard for me to determine whether they come from a failed development or from a light leak in the camera.

Link to the pictures photographed:
https://mimashita.tumblr.com/post/169299227803/problems

The stains are blue and red in prints, and yellow and green on the film. They also cover more than just one frame. Unfortunately have no scanner at hand to produce decent evidence. However the stains are big enough to see from the phone camera pics.

Would be really lovely to know what caused the stains. Hopefully not the lab, as there is no nearby alternative But the gut feeling tells the opposite...

Thank you for advice!

Is the spare between the leaked frames with the same seperation?
And is the leak on the film beginning much less and then becoming more and more?

with regards

 

[halfaman]

Agree. Light leak.

 

[mimashita]

Is the spare between the leaked frames with the same seperation?
And is the leak on the film beginning much less and then becoming more and more?

with regards

The spare is everywhere the same. There are altogether 5 affected areas on the film. The first one is minimal and concfined to the perforation only, yellow in color. All further affected areas are separated by an even enterval. The affecred area is increasing towards the last one. The last one is the biggest. So it is like you suggest, I think.

Common sense tells the leak might occur while the film was in the can, or in similar conditions when the film was rolled.

Thats why I do not think it was the camera...

 

[trendland]

The spare is everywhere the same. There are altogether 5 affected areas on the film. The first one is minimal and concfined to the perforation only, yellow in color. All further affected areas are separated by an even enterval. The affecred area is increasing towards the last one. The last one is the biggest. So it is like you suggest, I think.

Common sense tells the leak might occur while the film was in the can, or in similar conditions when the film was rolled.

Thats why I do not think it was the camera...

Yes you are right - your camera should be fine.
But let me ask : "Is it a possible case you opened your camera for a short time with this loaded film?
Pls. try to remember......

with regards

 

[mimashita]

Yes you are right - your camera should be fine.
But let me ask : "Is it a possible case you opened your camera for a short time with this loaded film?
Pls. try to remember......

with regards

Hahaha! I wish it were that easy I actually realise it still can be a leak when the film was on the taking spool in the camera, right? Have to check this part of the back lid. I bought this minolta xd with the seals already replaced by the seller. (I guess it was also him who opened the camera with the film loaded

 

[trendland]

Hahaha! I wish it were that easy I actually realise it still can be a leak when the film was on the taking spool in the camera, right? Have to check this part of the back lid. I bought this minolta xd with the seals already replaced by the seller. (I guess it was also him who opened the camera with the film loaded

Yes that may solve this case (if the seller has opened your camera with loaded film)
I have to state : It is no shame if that happend.
But to make sure you also should have a spare of 3 - 4 frames wich are from blank
film.

with regards

 

[trendland]

The prints should be blank of course !
with regards

 

[Sirius Glass]

It looks like a light leak to me.

 

[mimashita]

Thanks to everyone for fast reaction and diagnoses! I am off for the camera's back lid examination.

With kindest regards,
Mikhail

 

[trendland]

It looks like a light leak to me.

I have a feeling that you should (more often) open your loaded camera (with 135 film) Sirius Glass.
Just to become a more expert - like me.........

with regards

PS : with 120 films it is much more complicate .....

 

[Sirius Glass]

I
PS : with 120 films it is much more complicate .....

Just think of all the ways so screw up 4"x5" film which are not possible with 35mm and 120.

 

[trendland]

Just think of all the ways so screw up 4"x5" film which are not possible with 35mm and 120.

You are right - I forget - you are most in business with sheed film.
And I would not trust to advocate the opening of loaded 4 x 5 cassettes !
I also didn't this up to this point.
That should be my hobbyhorse with 135
Film !

with regards

 

[Chan Tran]

The spare is everywhere the same. There are altogether 5 affected areas on the film. The first one is minimal and concfined to the perforation only, yellow in color. All further affected areas are separated by an even enterval. The affecred area is increasing towards the last one. The last one is the biggest. So it is like you suggest, I think.

Common sense tells the leak might occur while the film was in the can, or in similar conditions when the film was rolled.

Thats why I do not think it was the camera...

I think it's the camera. I think it's the light seal on the right side of the camera is leaking. The side where the take up spool is. If you're in the shade the leak may not be noticeable.Most of processors now have a continuous processor so if there is light leak it would spread quite even overall because the film is traveling pretty much the same speed throughout unlike in the camera it wind then stop.

 

[mimashita]

I think it's the camera. I think it's the light seal on the right side of the camera is leaking. The side where the take up spool is. If you're in the shade the leak may not be noticeable.Most of processors now have a continuous processor so if there is light leak it would spread quite even overall because the film is traveling pretty much the same speed throughout unlike in the camera it wind then stop.

I think you are right! There is a small window with the indicator of the correct film transport right over the taking spool. The foam in the notch under this window was missing, so the light was entering through there occasionally, when the angle was right.
I fixed it now.

Many many thanks for the expertise! Always learn through people's advises.