Strange problem with my developed film

[koraks]

Images on that Leica forum are only visible to registered users, so I can't see it, but it's certainly very interesting that a similar issue seems to have popped up.

 

[Sharktooth]

It clearly looks like Ilford has a problem. They should step up and share their information, especially considering they're a partner with Photrio. I'm sure they're trying to figure out the cause and extent of the issue, and getting useful feedback from Photrio users would be a benefit to both them and us.

As users, we'd like to know if there's some visual way to inspect the light seals for potential issues. Is it usually only the first couple of frames that are affected, or could more of the roll be at risk? What batches have been affected so far, and over what timeframe?

It's good that they've acknowledged the issue to an individual user, but they're going to lose credibility fast if they don't act quickly to protect the whole user base.

 

[logan2z]

Images on that Leica forum are only visible to registered users, so I can't see it, but it's certainly very interesting that a similar issue seems to have popped up.

The OP in that thread hasn't received his negatives back from the lab yet so no pictures of those, but his scans do show a fogging pattern that is similar to what I've been seeing (copied here from the Leica forum):

It's possible the cause of his issue is different than mine, but the fact that he's also shooting 35mm HP5 got my attention.

 

[koraks]

Hm, yeah, looks somewhat similar, especially the second one. I'm a little less sure about the first, although it could still be consistent with a felt light trap malfunction. It's interesting for sure that a similar issue pops up at roughly the same time with the same film and also a Leica rangefinder.

 

[MattKing]

The possibility exists that the problem relates to both the felt and how the cassette is positioned in the camera. I can't remember - do you have another quite different camera and more film from the batch to do another test?

 

[logan2z]

The possibility exists that the problem relates to both the felt and how the cassette is positioned in the camera. I can't remember - do you have another quite different camera and more film from the batch to do another test?

All of the film from those batches is either already developed, waiting to be developed or in a camera and not yet finished.

One of the rolls waiting to be developed and one in-camera were/are loaded in a Nikon FM so I guess it'll be interesting to see what those look like once developed.

 

[Sharktooth]

It would probably be easier to just start using a different brand of film for your next shooting sessions. This would definitely clear up whether the issue is related to the film, or something else.

 

[logan2z]

It would probably be easier to just start using a different brand of film for your next shooting sessions. This would definitely clear up whether the issue is related to the film, or something else.

Not a different brand, but I have a roll of FP4 in another camera that I'll finish and develop.

 

[logan2z]

This is getting more interesting by the minute...

M6 Weird Flares / Rolling Effects?

Hey Guys, Fairly new M6 shooter here, I got the Camera about a month ago and have put about 8 rolls of film thru it thus far and super happy. This morning I got back scans from my lab on 2 rolls of HP5 shot at ISO 800, and from the total batch of 72 pictures, all of them were fine in the sense of...

www.l-camera-forum.com

 

[Sharktooth]

Looks like Ilford's got some 'splainin' to do.

 

[logan2z]

Well, the problem persists - I just developed another roll of HP5+ from a completely different B&H order and the leader and the first three frames are fogged. Everything after that appears to be fine. I used a new Harrison changing bag (that I checked with a flashlight for leaks and didn't find any) and, just for sanity sake, rewound the film all the way back into the canister rather than leaving the leader out. None of this helped.

This problem has now occurred with multiple cameras, changing bags, and Jobo 1500 series tanks. The only thing left for me to do is try a completely different film. I'm going to order a couple of rolls of Tri-X and see what happens. I just recently switched to HP5+ and had no issues with it for the first 10+ rolls, but then this started happening. Very frustrating.

 

[Don_ih]

This problem has now occurred with multiple cameras, changing bags, and Jobo 1500 series tanks.

It might be time to take Ilford up on their offer to replace the rolls. Then perhaps advance past the first two or three exposures when you load them, as insurance.

 

[logan2z]

It might be time to take Ilford up on their offer to replace the rolls. Then perhaps advance past the first two or three exposures when you load them, as insurance.

I think you're right, I'll contact Ilford again and ask for the replacement rolls, as well as do as you suggest and toss the first few frames on each roll.

 

[BradS]

It might be interesting to load and unload the camera in the changing bag. Doing so only eliminates one variable but it might give you peace of mind to find out "it's not you".

 

[logan2z]

It might be interesting to load and unload the camera in the changing bag. Doing so only eliminates one variable but it might give you peace of mind to find out "it's not you".

Unloading the camera in the changing bag I can handle, not sure I'm skilled enough to load the camera 'blind'

 

[Don_ih]

Unloading the camera in the changing bag I can handle, not sure I'm skilled enough to load the camera 'blind'

Along with the risk of putting your thumb through the shutter curtain....

 

[logan2z]

Along with the risk of putting your thumb through the shutter curtain....

Almost a certainty, where I'm concerned

 

[Nopo]

It might be time to take Ilford up on their offer to replace the rolls. Then perhaps advance past the first two or three exposures when you load them, as insurance.

I don't remember the last time I reached 35 frames on a purchased roll, due to my work methodology. But it doesn't seem reasonable to me, to lose frames due to a problem related to the manufacturing of the material used.
It's just my opinion, don't take it as an attack to your position. I would change film.

Along with the risk of putting your thumb through the shutter curtain....

+1

Carlos

 

[Don_ih]

I would change film.

Well, Ilford will replace the rolls of HP5+ with more rolls of HP5+. Not much reason to not use them.

Anyway, whatever problem there is with the cassettes, it won't last forever.

 

[pentaxuser]

Unloading the camera in the changing bag I can handle, not sure I'm skilled enough to load the camera 'blind'

I don't know which camera you are using but most have the film holder space at one end and the take-up spool right at the other end. Dropping the film into the holder end with the leader out should not be that difficult. If you then pull enough film to get to within a finger's width of the other end and hold the film by its sides I think you will be able to feed it onto the take-up spool without any real danger to the shutter curtain. Try the wind on lever and if the films moves you know you have done it correctly. Just shut the back and wind it on to frame one

Honestly I am sure that you will be able to do it

pentaxuser

 

[logan2z]

I don't know which camera you are using but most have the film holder space at one end and the take-up spool right at the other end. Dropping the film into the holder end with the leader out should not be that difficult. If you then pull enough film to get to within a finger's width of the other end and hold the film by its sides I think you will be able to feed it onto the take-up spool without any real danger to the shutter curtain. Try the wind on lever and if the films moves you know you have done it correctly. Just shut the back and wind it on to frame one

Honestly I am sure that you will be able to do it

pentaxuser

What I'll do is try this with my Leica that has the quick load system. That doesn't even have a real take-up spool into which the film needs to be inserted. I just need to push the leader into the middle of the 'tulip' and then attach the camera back and advance the film. I think I can do that without doing any damage to the shutter.

 

[logan2z]

I spoke to Ilford again and they've sent me replacements for the fogged film rolls. They had already sent them out before I even contacted them this last time (great company!).

They said they had heard from some other people who have had the same issue and they believe the problem occurred during manufacturing of the film cassettes.

I'll post back once the new rolls arrive and I've shot and developed a couple.

 

[Kino]

I spoke to Ilford again and they've sent me replacements for the fogged film rolls. They had already sent them out before I even contacted them this last time (great company!).

They said they had heard from some other people who have had the same issue and they believe the problem occurred during manufacturing of the film cassettes.

I'll post back once the new rolls arrive and I've shot and developed a couple.

Rare customer service in this day and age. Well done, Ilford!

 

[logan2z]

Rare customer service in this day and age. Well done, Ilford!

Their customer service really is shockingly good. In contrast, I sent Kodak a technical question several weeks back and have had no reply.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I spoke to Ilford again and they've sent me replacements for the fogged film rolls. They had already sent them out before I even contacted them this last time (great company!).

They said they had heard from some other people who have had the same issue and they believe the problem occurred during manufacturing of the film cassettes.

I'll post back once the new rolls arrive and I've shot and developed a couple.

Another Photrio success story.