Repeated emulsion scratches on film

[cbarber]

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Thank you in advance.

After 20+ years of digital I have recently purchased a Leica M-A. I have not yet gone back to processing my film, and have visited a couple of labs to test them out. I was hoping this last roll of film would be the end of my camera and lab testing. 

If you look at the three images I have posted, you can see tiny marks that have scratched off the emulsion. These marks are repeated and equally spaced (about every 4cm.) along the roll of film. Two marks are inside the frame area while a third mark is near the edge of the film outside from the sprocket holes. The film was not supposed to be scanned.

To me they don't seem to be from the camera. I don't have them on my other test rolls, just this one.

Any suggestions?
 

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[madNbad]

Those are probably from the lab. If you want to test if your M-A is scratching the film, start with a fresh roll, the most inexpensive film you can find will work, load it, advance it all the way to the end then rewind it but not all the way. Pull the undeveloped film out of the cassette and check the base side of the film. If there are any scratches, they will be towards the end of the roll. 

Welcome back to film and have a discussion with whoever is processing your film.

[250swb]

If it's not one of the big brand films the quality control may not be as good as you'd like. Or a lab fault, but I agree, doesn't seem to be camera related.

Edited November 9, 2023 by 250swb

[cbarber]

Thanks for the replies and agreed opinion. These particular marks are on the emulsion side and very faint to the touch. They do not appear on my other test rolls so I am inclined to believe they are not the fault of the camera. I’ve tested the camera for the usual scratches from cassette and camera, all good so far.

The film was Portra 400 and the thought of these marks being made during manufacture came to me too. But I think it is more likely they came from the lab. Not sure how though.

It’s hard finding a lab these days you can rely on. The only alternative I suppose is to start processing my film again.

[a.noctilux]

10 minutes ago, cbarber said:

The only alternative I suppose is to start processing my film again.

Best decision.

Don't wait too long.

Tetenal Colortec C-41

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