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Strange low contrast in middle of negative Fuji gsw690ii

Filmfan101

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Picked up a new to me Fuji gsw690ii, on first inspection the negs that came out of it were good but after scanning (which I’ve attempted with different light sources and different cameras) I’ve noticed a strange low contrast circle in the middle, it seems to be around the middle of the roll on both rolls I’ve shot with it so far, any ideas? I’ve edited the image to accentuate problem. Some of the images are perfect
 

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Flare perhaps?

Try setting the shutter to T, open the shutter and then shine a flashlight through the lens and look at it backlit. It's amazing how a lens that looks good will look hazy when the light is shone through it.
 
I am a bit confused. You say the flare is in the middle frames of the roll? Do you think this is related to the subject matter or light? Or related to development? Scanning? Any ideas why it is the middle frames on a roll?

Anyway, looks like lens ghosting. Light source like the sun, along with wide open skies, coming into the front of the lens but maybe not having the source directly in the frame. A wide angle lens will be more prone to this. You may have just found that combination of lighting to create this.

Or the rear of the lens is dirty/hazy.
 
Not sure how anyone on a forum who by definition is "remote" from being able to pinpoint the cause can really help. Yes you will get a lot of "have you tried this as a check"? In total there will be many replies which may or may not pinpoint the cause but I'd take it to a camera repair shop who may, with the camera in its hands and its knowledge will be able to pinpoint the answer more accurately and if necessary effect a repair to what ever the fault is

pentaxuser
 

I just thought I’d pop it on here incase anyone said, yes I’ve had that problem, “its this”
 

Hi thanks for the reply, I mentioned the middle of the roll because I noticed it was same frame numbers on 2 rolls therefore wasn’t sure if it was a case of slack in the film or something. 1 frame was with sun setting on left and the other was with sun rising on the right.
 
Craig said:
Flare perhaps?

Try setting the shutter to T, open the shutter and then shine a flashlight through the lens and look at it backlit. It's amazing how a lens that looks good will look hazy when the light is shone through it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did have a look against a light when I first got it and seemed okay, will check again when the latest film is out
 
Are you using the lens hood?

But cold mornings and a warm camera bag or being held close to the body can cause a lens or filter to fog over internally or externally until the temperatures even out, and it being a rangefinder you can miss it.
 
Have you ruled out scanning? Scanning the negative in different positions to see whether the problem "moves" with film or not?

I once had a similar problem but it wasn't as localized as yours (mine had a larger affected area and was less defined). It was because to the lens haze. Well, not exactly haze inside the lens, but some stuff accumulated on the rear element and it was easy to remove.
 
Looks like lens flare from the "hot spot" in the sky. Is that the Sun setting, causing that bright spot?

Do you have another photo to post for further assessment?
 
film4Me said:
Looks like lens flare from the "hot spot" in the sky. Is that the Sun setting, causing that bright spot?

Do you have another photo to post for further assessment?
Click to expand...

Hi there here’s a couple more with sun at different heights and directions
 

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Are you really using a lens for scanning that has such severe distortion? If this is a result of negative not being flat at scanning this could maybe create internal reflections at scanning (although it does seem a bit much).
 
The first thing to exclude is a scanning/digitization problem as noted above.

I'd expect lens haze/flare to not be isolated to such a small area. Is there any sign of damage to the front or esp. rear elements of the lens? Look at the lens also from the back of the camera with the back open.

Another thought that comes to mind is the shutter on the lens not being perfectly closed; inspect in a dark room by shining a light onto the lens with the shutter closed and see if there's a pinhole of light coming through the shutter.

Statistically, a problem during digitization seems the most likely culprit.
 
Filmandfile said:
Hi there here’s a couple more with sun at different heights and directions
Click to expand...

I can only see one more example Can others see another couple?

Just to be sure we are all seeing the same "problem" I see what appears to be a purple patch in the middle of the field in the first example and the same but much less obvious patch in the second example. Is that what you see and is that what we all see?

Under a light box with a loupe or even with the naked eye is that what you refer to as the issue or can you see nothing on the actual negative?

Thanks

pentaxuser
 

second pic didn’t upload, yes the neg is denser in the middle so showing more exposure
 
Taking a photo of a evenly lit, out of focus wall should better demonstrate the extent of the problem, although it looks like there is some problem in or on the lens, like a smudge or coating worn off.
 
Last edited:
Filmandfile said:
second pic didn’t upload, yes the neg is denser in the middle so showing more exposure
Click to expand...

Where in the middle? Can you put a red circle around the area in question so we can all be sure which area of the middle we are talking about? Can I take it that the answer to Andrew's question is " Yes" you can see it on the negative with either the naked eye or a loupe?

Thanks

pentaxuser
 

Yes with both make eye and loupe on two different light boxes. Photo attached of marked spot
 

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