Start mark on Foma roll film

[kraker]

Just back from developing a Fomapan 200 rollfilm. Well, it sure has played a trick on me. I normally use Ilford rollfilm. There's a very clear start mark on them: after UNEXPOSED, there's nothing that can be considered confusing, then there's the arrow. Perfect start mark.

Fomapan? Not so. They really had me fooled... At the beginning of the paper back, there's a text, "START". Well, I thought, it's not as exact as an arrow, but probably that's the way they do things in Czechia (no offence meant ), I'll just line up with that and get going.

In the process of developing, it turns out that about 10 cm after this "START", there's a very nice arrow... so I ended up with 10 1/2 shots instead of 12 (6x6). (By the way: no important shots, no harm done.)

I've learned my lesson, at least for Fomapan. Don't get confused by the "START" text, just continue until there's an arrow.

Does anybody know of other confusing brands / types of film? Or will there always be an arrow as start mark?

 

[eumenius]

As far as I know, all the Eastern European rollfilms had a plenty of things printed like START, arrow, then arrows down (film's end coming), + -------- - mark (real sticky tape position). Looks like they got their backing paper design from a very very old AGFA 120 film - I have a roll of Zeiss Ikon Panchromatic, light-fogged long ago, and its backing has plenty of things to say Some old 120 film standart, probably.

Cheers, Zhenya

 

[Fotohuis]

All the Fomapan 120 roll films have the arrow start mark on their paper.

I am working with the M645 pro where the arrow should be aligned with the (red) mark on the upper spool. Never had any problems with the 15 negatives on their 120 roll films.

 

[Jordan]

I've been burned by this before too, with Fomapan 200. Ignore the word "START" -- it's the arrow you want.

 

[kraker]

I've been burned by this before too, with Fomapan 200. Ignore the word "START" -- it's the arrow you want.

Glad to see I'm not the only one... I'm sure I'll remember it from now on.

(And if I ever doubt - now I can search APUG and find the answer! )

 

[Donald Qualls]

FWIW, the crosswise double headed arrow, and its position relative to film start, is part of the ANSI standard and *all* 120 film, from any manufacturer, should have this arrow. However, the ANSI standard doesn't specify any other markings than this start arrow and the actual frame numbers; any other markings on the backing can (and do) vary considerably from one manufacturer to the next. The arrow is all you can depend on.

 

[kraker]

FWIW, the crosswise double headed arrow, and its position relative to film start, is part of the ANSI standard and *all* 120 film, from any manufacturer, should have this arrow.

FWIW? That's worth a lot. It means that whatever 120 film from whatever manufacturer I buy next, I'll continue winding it until the arrow. No more lost frames

Thanks!