- Joined
- Jul 16, 2012
- Messages
- 41
The few times I have used Portra 160/400 in 5x4, I've had long scratches on at least a couple of sheets per pack (non-emulsion side). Initially I thought this might be the Printfile sleeves, then I wondered if it's grit in the holders, then lab issues. The lab has been very good for many years with all manner of films and they assured me it couldn't be their end. After getting some back recently, there are more scratches - which at least rules out my post-dev handling/sleeves.
I painstakingly blow the DDs before loading, so I doubt it's anything in the holders. The only thing I wonder about is stacking exposed sheets together and putting them back in the box to be sent to dev. Is there even any other practical way to handle exposed sheets? I've never had scratches like this with any Ilford sheet film, but I do develop these myself straight from the DDs.
The second issue is wavy lines in skies. This does appear to be a potential development issue to me. It likely wouldn't be a problem in print as I can only make it out when drastically dropping levels in scans, but it's still worrying. If I don't see this in home developed B&W, I definitely don't expect to see it in £10 worth of lab developed colour neg.
Both problems described are shown the in the image attached. I'd really appreciate some advice as I feel like I am burning money with this film and terrified to do any serious work. It's been like night and day so far between Portra 120 and sheet, even in colour correction to an extent, so I am wondering about either lab or Kodak QC.
I painstakingly blow the DDs before loading, so I doubt it's anything in the holders. The only thing I wonder about is stacking exposed sheets together and putting them back in the box to be sent to dev. Is there even any other practical way to handle exposed sheets? I've never had scratches like this with any Ilford sheet film, but I do develop these myself straight from the DDs.
The second issue is wavy lines in skies. This does appear to be a potential development issue to me. It likely wouldn't be a problem in print as I can only make it out when drastically dropping levels in scans, but it's still worrying. If I don't see this in home developed B&W, I definitely don't expect to see it in £10 worth of lab developed colour neg.
Both problems described are shown the in the image attached. I'd really appreciate some advice as I feel like I am burning money with this film and terrified to do any serious work. It's been like night and day so far between Portra 120 and sheet, even in colour correction to an extent, so I am wondering about either lab or Kodak QC.