SX-70: bad film or bad rollers?

[Theo Sulphate]

This is somewhat similar to the "Green bands on FP100C" thread.

I'm using up the last of my 2006-dated Time Zero film in my SX-70. A few years ago, I noticed the colors largely bleached out, but lately, with the hot weather, the colors have come back quite nicely. However, there is a central band in my photos about 60% of the time that has a "flame" appearance: a wavy sort-of orangish band from top to bottom with various "hot spots". At first I attributed this to the old film, but now I'm wondering whether it is the rollers. If you look at the back of a Polaroid SX-70 print, you'll notice on the bottom (where I believe the developer is) that it is divided into three regions (a, b, c) like so:

_________________________
¦____a___\ __b__/ ___c __¦


The affected part of the photo always seems to be in the central area, top to bottom, and in line with the "b" region. I still have a bit of the old Time Zero film left -- I suppose I could pop some fresh Impossible film in and answer the question, but if it is the roller tension - then I want to fix the problem first.

I should mention that back when the film was still fresh, I had no such issues.

 

[fedupwithdigital]

I think expired TZ is known for this effect - I don't think it's your rollers (although as Impossible's Dr Love always says, keep your rollers clean!). See this shot from flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/joepsx-70-freak/21960426779/in/faves-124745439@N04/

Perhaps not the most pronounced example but look through the Polaroid SX70 and 'Roidweek pools and you'll see lots more.

Hope this helps.

 

[Xmas]

You could try an impossible film if cleaning the rollers does not help?

 

[Photo Engineer]

This is a typical defect of pod/goo failure. The goo in the pod has started to go bad, or the seal has started to fail and thus the goo spreads unevenly. You can check this out under some circumstances. Some failures cause red spots or streaks on the pod. Taking the sealed package apart and examining the pod will reveal these streaks.

If this is the problem, there is nothing that can be done.

PE

 

[Fixcinater]

Almost guaranteed to be old chemicals aging differently in the pods.

 

[cuongtd]

Agree without any doubt