The Magic Lights

[Stephen Frizza]

Hmm just an observation of a little light I love.

Has anyone else here noticed the strange yellow, green or sometimes blue light which medium format film makes when you remove the tape off the film in the dark? Its has to be some form of static discharge? maybe as the glue bonds break? I have no idea but its awesome and its bright enough to expose the film where the tape once was.

Anyhow just an odd light observation.

~Steve
The Lighthouse Lab

 

[Chazzy]

I don't know what anyone else does, but I just remove the tape from the paper. I don't attempt to remove it from the film--instead, I just fold it over. It slightly stiffens the end of the film and makes it a little less floppy when I am putting it onto a reel.

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Some machines in commercial labs require the tape to be removed.

 

[domaz]

I can't remember what the name of this is but it's a well-documented effect where the action of ripping off the tape makes light. I don't think it's even related to static electricity.

 

[arigram]

Could well be just the LSD you know...
Do you also hear voices in the dark?

 

[Stephen Frizza]

I have no idea of the science behind it. my best explanation is magic hehehehe but im glad im not the only one who sees it. there inst a day go by where i don't go ohhh and ahhh as im loading film hehehe.

 

[rwyoung]

Scotch Magic Tape (the frosted stuff that "dissapears") is great at making this triboelectric effect light show.

Stick a piece down to some plexi. Leave yourself a tab for pulling. Get dark and pull fast. Lots of masking tapes also do this.

And while you are at it, get some wintergreen lifesavers (the orignal kind in the roll) and chomp down on those in front of the mirror, in the dark.

 

[Frank Szabo]

Hmm just an observation of a little light I love.

Has anyone else here noticed the strange yellow, green or sometimes blue light which medium format film makes when you remove the tape off the film in the dark? Its has to be some form of static discharge? maybe as the glue bonds break? I have no idea but its awesome and its bright enough to expose the film where the tape once was.

Anyhow just an odd light observation.

~Steve
The Lighthouse Lab

It's static -

 

[Lee L]

Could well be just the LSD you know...
Do you also hear voices in the dark?

Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who created LSD, died earlier this month at the age of 102.

Lee

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who created LSD, died earlier this month at the age of 102.

Lee

overdose?

 

[Lee L]

overdose?

Accidental, the Haight in 1967. Drugs kill.............................. eventually.

Haven't seen the cause of death. Maybe running with scissors?

Lee

 

[rwyoung]

overdose?

Underdose?