My 1st blank film.

[pentaxuser]

Just last week I got a film back from the lab that was completely black! Including the frame numbers and brandname markings...all black.
I'm pretty darn sure the problem was not at my end of the film handling....the images were precious too...

Was this a B&W film? The edges of the film called rebates which are outside the film frame should be clear with black frame numbers and writing to indicate the name of the film

If all the frames are black like the film leader then the film was exposed to daylight before processing. If your film was wound back into the cassette by yourself then this suggests that the lab wrongly exposed it to daylight before processing.

If you need help with this can I suggest you scan the film that you got back and start a separate thread to avoid us dealing with what may be two different problems on the same thread

pentaxuser

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Thanks for the offer of help, but I think you described exactly what happened, Pentaxuser. It was a roll of Rollei Superpan 200 in 120 format by the way
Dropped off another roll yesterday. We'll see what happens.

 

[GarageBoy]

Check your rewind knobs! I noticed once (and of course, after 20+ shots) that it wasn't rotating...
Real curious how people keep ripping the rolls off the spool, I've went full force at the end of a roll on my Nikon F2 and not damaged anything

How did you get the film to the lab if it came off the spool?
I'd keep a reusable film cassette (or even a used roll with about an inch of film on it left) and a dark bag incase it happens again
Just go in your dark bag/ darkroom, tape the remains to the inch of film and rewind the whole thing in

 

[GarageBoy]

Thanks for the offer of help, but I think you described exactly what happened, Pentaxuser. It was a roll of Rollei Superpan 200 in 120 format by the way
Dropped off another roll yesterday. We'll see what happens.

Are you sure they're not dunking your B&W stuff into color chemicals

 

[Mr_Flibble]

That would've left the film clear, wouldn't it?

 

[AgX]

Yes. That scenario is even more likely than exchanging order of baths with that colour film of Girlafraid.

 

[pentaxuser]

Are you sure they're not dunking your B&W stuff into color chemicals

The OP has stated that the films were colour and were transparent - "it was as if there was nothing there" which I take to mean clear as in "clear of any image" . What she hasn't stated directly is whether only the frames were clear but had writing and numbers on the edges.

pentaxuser

 

[fotch]

Looks like Mr_Flibble has added his problem with B&W with girlafraid problem with color and are two different problems. Might be better for Mr_Flibble to start a separate thread? Left me confused for awhile:confused:

 

[girlafraid]

The OP has stated that the films were colour and were transparent - "it was as if there was nothing there" which I take to mean clear as in "clear of any image" . What she hasn't stated directly is whether only the frames were clear but had writing and numbers on the edges.

pentaxuser

To be 100% honest I didnt look to closely at the returned film. There was a note saying it was blank and I just took this to mean nothing survived me opening the camera back. I know it would help people if I could describe it better but I'm home now and I keep all my film stuff (apart from the scanned prints of course!) back at my parents. I should have photographed or scanned what came back as someone suggested which I can do or get done for me. As far as I can remember though everything looked as you would expect except there were no images. I can't be sure that's not me misremembering though or just seeing what I thought I should see.

How did you get the film to the lab if it came off the spool?
I'd keep a reusable film cassette (or even a used roll with about an inch of film on it left) and a dark bag incase it happens again
Just go in your dark bag/ darkroom, tape the remains to the inch of film and rewind the whole thing in

I wasn't able to get the film back into the cassette at all so after checking online desperately for help I got the film out of the camera rolled it and wrapped it in black plastic inside one of the pots film come in. This might be the wrong thing to do but I was clueless and it was all I could find.

The whole operation took quite some time though and it was only as dark as I could make it so my guess was this time out of the camera with at least some light is what causec the damage.

I've opened thd back of a camera on purpose before now in full daylight when I was experimenting with a film that wasn't going to come out and still got usable shots but that was a quick open and shut this was faffing about for some time.

 

[wblynch]

Well there are so many contributing factors it would be fruitless to try and determine the actual cause.

So, chalk it up to experience and move on to the next film photos which I'm sure will turn out great!!

 

[girlafraid]

Well there are so many contributing factors it would be fruitless to try and determine the actual cause.

So, chalk it up to experience and move on to the next film photos which I'm sure will turn out great!!

Thanks! Already got one in!!

 

[Sirius Glass]

We have all been there and done that.

 

[girlafraid]

We have all been there and done that.

I am feeling less stupid for doing it now thankfully.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I am feeling less stupid for doing it now thankfully.

Do not beat yourself up!