Scratch on 120 film; somewhat baffled

lesd · May 14, 2007

I am repeatedly getting a linear scratch running ~1.5 cm from the left edge (non-emulsion side I think) of my 120 negative film and along the entire film.

I ran a test film through the camera (Seagull TLR giving 6x6) and could not detect any scratch on the undeveloped film. When I loaded and unloaded the blank film on my plastic Patersons spiral the scratch became evident. I cannot see how the scratch is being made as the film is not in contact with the plastic reel at the point where the scratch is being made.

I wonder if anyone has any suggestions? The film is Delta 3200.

Regards

Les

Nick Zentena · May 14, 2007

Take it one step at a time.

Develop an unexposed roll of film. If it's scratched then it's processing most likely.

If it's not scratched then it's the camera. But with paper backing I'm not sure how that could happen.

lesd · May 14, 2007

Yes, I have ruled out the camera since the scratches only appear when the unexposed film is put on the reel. But the scratch is well away from the edge of the reel, that is what is baffling.

wclavey · May 14, 2007

Are you using a sponge or a squeegee to clear the excess water from the film after processing?

jordanstarr · May 14, 2007

i had the same problem. it was my squeegee. switch to sponge or a new squeegee maybe?

Monophoto · May 14, 2007

I learned (the hard way) that squeegeeing film can cause scratches. Don't do it anymore.

Wash - PhotoFlo - shake the reel to get the big drops off, and hang to dry. No more scratches.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 14, 2007

To make completely sure, develop a piece of film that's not on a reel, but cut a 4" strip of film off and develop that in your tank or in a tray (total darkness of course).
How do you load your film? In a changing bag? In the darkroom? Is there anything in there that could scratch the film? The advice on squegees is a good one. My reels are the plastic kind with the really large catch for the film strip; it covers all of the width of a 35mm film as it passes through onto the reel. If that's what you use, something might get caught there to scratch your film base. Doesn't take much. It has to be in a stage of the process where the film is held steady, if it's consitently at an equal length from the edge of the film. Those stages are:
1. Loading film into camera (not for 120 film, since it has paper backing)
2. Loading film onto developing reels
3. Squegeeing film after development and rinse
That's all I can think of.

- Thomas

dpurdy · May 15, 2007

Yes make sure it didn't come from the factory that way. I have some test film (Arista EDU ultra) that has a factory scratch running through it. Ilford has had factory flaws before in my experience.

lesd · May 15, 2007

Thanks for the comments.

I am not sure I really explained this too well...

If I put a film through the camera and then take it out and immediately examine it on a light box there is no scratch. If I take that strip of film and feed it on to a spool and then take it off there is a scratch that is absolutely straight along the whole film about 1.5 cm from one edge.

Les

brian steinberger · May 15, 2007

Les,

Are you loading your reels by hand or with a reel loader? If with the loader, check for areas that could be scratching as you load.

Perfectly straight scratches are usually either from camera or factory.

Scratch on 120 film; somewhat baffled

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