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Problem with film or processing?


WillD

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I've recently had a roll of Kodak TX400 processed and some of the images came back with some imperfections visible (see attached - and top of image). The lab suggested there was a problem with the emulsion and wondered whether the film was old. However the expiry date is 2013. Has anyone come across anything like this before?

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As a matter of experience, if there is an argument between a lab and Kodak's film - bet on the film.

 

My thought exactly.

 

I have been shooting rolls of Tri-X with a 2013 develop by date for six months now and have had not one problem. But then, I develop it myself.

 

I would recommend developing your own Tri-X - it is not at all difficult. B&W film is not nearly as temperature sensitive during developing as C41 and E6 are. You will get better results and you will save 90% of the cost of having someone else develop your film. Tanks, reels,, thermometer, changing bag, etc. cost a few dollars up front but will quickly pay for themselves.

 

In 20+ years of photography, I have had exactly two "bad" rolls of film: One got bound up and wouldn't rewind; the other dropped a sliver of film into the clockworks of my MP, resulting in a road trip to visit Sherry Krauter. The first was Fuji RVP, the second was Kodak Tri-X. Both were physical problems (damage or defect) with the film and/or film canister or spool inside the canister.

 

I have had no problems with either Fuji or Kodak in terms of defective film emulsion. Ever.

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If you send some of the affected film to QC at Kodak they will report on the problem with a definitive answer. It could be a film problem but the chances of a manufacturing defect are vanishingly small more likely if it is the film it is a storage issue. The odds though are weighted to the lab being at fault but Kodak will investigate as would Ilford. This from personal experience. They are able to examine the emulsion using electron microscopes if required establish the defect.

Please report back.

 

01442 261122

Kodak Limited

Kodak House

Station Road

Hemel Hempstead

Herts. HP1 1JU.

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Thanks to all for their thoughts on this. I found it hard to believe that the film would have been at fault. It's the first time I'd used this lab, so I shall try again short terms and then start to look at developing my own film.

 

I've just spotted a recent thread on starting out developing your own B&W so I shall follow that and give it a go.

 

Thanks again.

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