Lomography film backing paper problems

[Ces1um]

So I just developed a roll of Lomography lady grey 400 iso film and several of the photos show frame numbers/dots on the picture. To be clear, it does not show on every photo while some are markedly pronounced. This is the same issue as two other threads, but these were related to Kodak products. As I understand, lomography black and white film is foma/arista. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this issue with lomography brand 120 film, or with arista's/foma's 400 iso 120 film?

Since it's not every single frame that's affected, could it have been something that I did rather than the fault of the film? I typically cover over the red frame counter window between exposures.

 

[MattKing]

When you look at the negatives, are the frame numbers lighter than the surrounding area, or darker than the surrounding area?
The first indicates the problems that Kodak has been/was having, while the second indicates a problem with light.

 

[R.Gould]

I use nothing but Foma 400, I have not as yet come scross this problem, but Foma recently changed their backing paper to the same as Kodak/Ilford Ect, so I suppose their coud be a problem similer to Kodak, but as yet I have had no problems

 

[Ces1um]

On the negatives they are lighter- darker in the printed/scanned and reversed photo. Why would it only affect a few photos and not the entire roll though? Any thoughts?

 

[MattKing]

On the negatives they are lighter- darker in the printed/scanned and reversed photo. Why would it only affect a few photos and not the entire roll though? Any thoughts?

Sounds like more of a light leak than the problem with the Kodak backing paper.
When it comes to leaks through the window, they are usually related to how much light hits the back of the camera.

 

[removed account4]

was the film stored in a fridge or freezer where moisture could have been entrapped in the film -backing?

 

[Ces1um]

was the film stored in a fridge or freezer where moisture could have been entrapped in the film -backing?

yes- I have kept all the film I've ever owned in a dedicated film refrigerator for the last 5 years. I've never seen any issue prior to this- but my fridge is only opened to get film out. Do you think that's it though? My 120 film is kept in a box, and it's sealed in it's own foil package.

 

[tezzasmall]

I had the same problem with some ILFORD 120 film but I put that down to long storage and maybe a bit too warm at times.

I'm having to bin a few rolls and buy in, but I will now only buy a few rolls at a time to keep it all fresh.

The next lot will be used quicker than before and will be kept in the fridge to keep it cool.

Terry S

 

[removed account4]

yes- I have kept all the film I've ever owned in a dedicated film refrigerator for the last 5 years. I've never seen any issue prior to this- but my fridge is only opened to get film out. Do you think that's it though? My 120 film is kept in a box, and it's sealed in it's own foil package.

no clue if it is related to cold storing film. but it wouldn't phase me if cold fridge or freezers totally mess wtih
the emulsion and the paper ... and the similar problem reported of the last couple of years with EK film ..
seemed like the film went through temperature extremes hot cold hot cold fridge freezer then use . i know if
*I* was the film i'd be kind of cranky.

 

[Ces1um]

no clue if it is related to cold storing film. but it wouldn't phase me if cold fridge or freezers totally mess wtih
the emulsion and the paper ... and the similar problem reported of the last couple of years with EK film ..
seemed like the film went through temperature extremes hot cold hot cold fridge freezer then use . i know if
*I* was the film i'd be kind of cranky.

That's something to think about for sure. I'm going to try and make sure I'm very careful with my red window and loading/unloading the film and see if that was the culprit. I'm usually fairly cautious but it's possible I wasn't paying as much attention as I usually do. If I still get issues then I need to look into storage I suppose. I always put my film in a dedicated fridge because I was told heat is the enemy of film. I tried keeping it in a cooler, temperature stable environment until I went to use it. I haven't had issues before, but I currently have a lot of film, much more than I've ever stocked before so some of the stuff has sat there since Christmas. It's all years before it's expiration date though.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

That's something to think about for sure. I'm going to try and make sure I'm very careful with my red window and loading/unloading the film and see if that was the culprit. I'm usually fairly cautious but it's possible I wasn't paying as much attention as I usually do. If I still get issues then I need to look into storage I suppose. I always put my film in a dedicated fridge because I was told heat is the enemy of film. I tried keeping it in a cooler, temperature stable environment until I went to use it. I haven't had issues before, but I currently have a lot of film, much more than I've ever stocked before so some of the stuff has sat there since Christmas. It's all years before it's expiration date though.

I have film that's been frozen at around -15f since the 90s, some late 80s, mostly sheet film but no problems with the 120 which is Efke kb14, Tech Pan, and Panatomic. All slow films though. And it's pretty curly...