Sticky FP-4+

Cybertrash · Jan 10, 2013

Today I was loading my 5x4 film holder with some Ilford FP-4+ sheets, and as I was removing a sheet from the box, it appeared to be stuck to the sheet under it, with a bit of coercion it came loose, with a tearing "sticky" sound. At first I thought it was some sort of protective paper placed inbetween the sheets, but when I'd loaded the holders (with the next sheet from the box) and opened my changing bag I found a strange looking sheet of film.

I scanned in the sheet (the image) and as you can see it appears as if parts of it has simply torn off, and there's a wet-looking darker blotch covering quite a bit of it. Does anyone know what might have happened here?

polyglot · Jan 10, 2013

Looks like it got moist. Likely cause being refrigeration after the pack was opened, which means you can get condensation in the pack.

cliveh · Jan 10, 2013

It sounds like the previous post was correct, but if so, why refrigerate black & white film?

Cybertrash · Jan 10, 2013

I certainly haven't refrigerated it... Could it be due to air humidity as well? I keep the pack in a box in the laundry room, but it doesn't generally get that humid in there...

henry finley · Jan 10, 2013

No telling. But where there's 1, there's bound to be more.

Cybertrash · Jan 10, 2013

henry finley said:
No telling. But where there's 1, there's bound to be more.

That's worrying, I've only shot 2 sheets of it so far...

ROL · Jan 10, 2013

I freeze and refrigerate plenty of FP4+, as well as other films, and have never experienced anything undue. Return the film to your seller and get your money back.

Cybertrash · Jan 11, 2013

ROL said:
I freeze and refrigerate plenty of FP4+, as well as other films, and have never experienced anything undue. Return the film to your seller and get your money back.

I'll pop in there tomorrow and check with them, I bought it some time ago though, and had it lying before I managed to get a hold of a proper film holder (had a 12x9 film holder that said 5x4 on it...), so I'm not sure I can return it.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Simon R Galley · Jan 11, 2013

The film itself, inside the double box has obviously been compromised by moisture and not an insignificant amount. Does the box itself feel wet or damp ?. Obviously do not use the film. Regardless, you need to return the film to where you bought it along with the box ( as it has the batch number on it ) it will be returned to our distributor and then to us, we will then examine the actual film and the box. As in all these matters, I check the QC records, we have no QC complaints on FP4+ sheet film outstanding, or on any sheet film product. If you are concerned about how old it is ( out of date? ) let me know the batch number and I will tell you on what date it was made.

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Cybertrash · Jan 15, 2013

Simon R Galley said:
The film itself, inside the double box has obviously been compromised by moisture and not an insignificant amount. Does the box itself feel wet or damp ?. Obviously do not use the film. Regardless, you need to return the film to where you bought it along with the box ( as it has the batch number on it ) it will be returned to our distributor and then to us, we will then examine the actual film and the box. As in all these matters, I check the QC records, we have no QC complaints on FP4+ sheet film outstanding, or on any sheet film product. If you are concerned about how old it is ( out of date? ) let me know the batch number and I will tell you on what date it was made.

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Hello Simon, thanks for answering!

The box itself doesn't feel damaged in any way, but it probably isn't too far-fetched to say that the damage was caused by improper storage. As such I can't help but wonder if I should return it at all? If the damage is my fault, it seems like returning it would only yield a loss of film for my part, whereas if I keep it I could try to figure out how much damage has been done and perhaps salvage a few sheets. I'm certain the box isn't out of date.

Simon R Galley · Jan 15, 2013

Dear Cybertrash,

If you promise to ditch the box and ditch the film inside and send me your details ( PM me ) I will replace the box free of charge, ensure the replacement is kept in a dark and dry place....

Thank you for using and valuing ILFORD photo products.

Simon.

ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

polyglot · Jan 16, 2013

Simon R Galley said:
Dear Cybertrash,

If you promise to ditch the box and ditch the film inside and send me your details ( PM me ) I will replace the box free of charge, ensure the replacement is kept in a dark and dry place....

Thank you for using and valuing ILFORD photo products.
:

I can't think of any other company that will even think about replacing delicate perishables of unknown provenance and sight unseen!

MattKing · Jan 17, 2013

polyglot said:
I can't think of any other company that will even think about replacing delicate perishables of unknown provenance and sight unseen!

In my youth, Kodak did this all the time .

Because happy customers were far more valuable than a replacement roll of film or some free processing.

Cybertrash · Jan 17, 2013

Simon R Galley said:
Dear Cybertrash,

If you promise to ditch the box and ditch the film inside and send me your details ( PM me ) I will replace the box free of charge, ensure the replacement is kept in a dark and dry place....

Thank you for using and valuing ILFORD photo products.

Simon.

ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

That would be *incredibly* kind, I'll send you a PM.

Sticky FP-4+

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