Scratches on Rollei 400 Infrared

[brian_mk]

I recently developed a couple of 120 rolls of Rollei 400 Infrared film shot using my trusty 6x4.5 Bronica ETRSi.
I found there are some annoying scratches on a couple of frames near the middle of one of the two rolls.
See the attached scanned image section.
I can seen no scratches on the other roll.

The scratches are perfectly straight lines in the direction of the long side of the film strip.
The scratches are invisible when using reflected light (either on the emulsion or the shiny side of the negs). They are easily seen when using a light box and a loupe.

I did not use a film squeegee to wipe the film before drying.
The film was only handled by the edges when loading the roll onto the dev tank spiral.
I have used the same film back in the past (including several rolls of Efke and Rollei Infrared) and never had a problem. I would not expect to get film transport scratches when using 120 roll film because of the protective paper backing.

I have no idea what may have caused the scratches.
I have read that this film is more susceptible to scratching than some other B&W films.
Could it be a film manufacturing defect?
Has anyone else experienced a similar issue?

 

[Craig75]

The film is very thin very tricky to load on a paterson reel and very easy to scratch from the one and only roll i shot.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Wish I could help you but I only use this film in 4x5. The scratches look mechanical... and sady, probably from your end.