Curled film

[valtof]

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As my workflow consists in high-res scanning my rolls for final editing and printing,

getting perfectly planar films back from processing is crucial, given that I scan with the Epson V700.

Until recently I’ve always got my negs processed by my pro lab and the results were perfect :

totally planar film, not even slightly curled.

Then the scans were really perfect, sharp, in focus on the grain,

at the same level of quality compared to the test scan my lab did with their Imacon.

 

Unfortunately, six of my seven last rolls went back from the lab really curled to such an extent

that of course it’s impossible to get a perfect scan with a flatbed.

I don’t know what happened and my lab doesn’t either, as nothing changed from their part.

 

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Therefore here are several thoughts and questions :

 

- In what conditions and/or for what reasons a film can get back curled from processing ?

 

- Why everything was perfect until now… Is the changing season can be the reason (wetness, temperature…) ?

 

- I mainly use TriX at 400 or pushed to 800 and my rolls are in the fridge at 8°C ;

 

- Once the films are shot, I keep them at home in ambient conditions (quite dry and 21°C)

and no more than 4 or 5 days until I have at least 2 or 3 rolls to give to the lab ;

 

- Apart of preventing, is there a way, any kind of post-treatment, kind of “old recipe” to recover a curled film

and end up with its totally planar shape afterward ?

 

- Is there some type or brand of film that could be less prone to end up curled after processing ?

 

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I have ordered an insert at “betterscanning.com” for test purpose but as far as I understand,

the workflow gonna be much slower since the insert “cuts” one frame on six.

 

Please don’t advice me to take the dedicated film scanner route which I can’t afford and which I don’t like.

Scanning frame by frame (or even six by six) sounds a pity to me compared to the excellent enough results I get with the V700,

scanning 24 frames at the same time.

 

I really need help there so any suggestions or advices are really welcome.

Cheers

Christophe

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[cocker]

Christophe,

 

Tri-X is not a film I particularly associate with curling. I develop my own and always get flat film (unlike some films - Rollei retro, and some of the East European stuff - Efke/Adox, Fomapan etc that curls terribly). If you are not developing them yourself you are at the mercy of what the lab does. Drying in too dry an environment can, i understand, increase the prospect of curling. Perhaps discuss the problem with the lab?

 

Since you are not prepared to consider a film scanner with holders that will increase the flatness of your film I think the only thing you can do is put the negatives into sleeves and press them for several week beneath some weight (Large books etc). Good luck

[valtof]

I think the only thing you can do is put the negatives into sleeves and press them for several week beneath some weight (Large books etc).

Thanks Keith,

I've already tried this but only during one night in order to scan the day after.

It helped a bit but one night is obviously not enough.

To be honest I have also noticed that after several weeks, 3 of my initially curled rolls are now ending up totally planar without doing anything.

But you understand that when I get my films from the lab, I’m quite impatient to see what’s the holly grail looks like.

What I need is more to prevent this phenomenon than to find a solution afterwards. But where to start ?

Cheers

[tobey bilek]

Leica brass film cassettes.

 

Get the film back uncut, roll into a emulsion out circle 6 inch dia for 24 hours.

 

Put in sleves and under a book for 24/48 hours.

 

Three choices, take your pick. If you take film out for processing do not use brass. They will be lost or damaged and people do not know how to operate them.

 

When film is stretched thru tight velvet seals, the sprocket edges get stretched and it will not lay flat.

 

Humidity in drying has something to do with it. Humid air seems to make more curl.

 

Differencial drying between base and emulsion makes a difference.

 

Different film emulsions dry differently.

[usefeet]

Check with the film-processing (senior) operator.

 

My lab manager explained you need the right humidity on the day, ..not too high and not too low.

 

On a dry day he places a bowl of water in the processing machine.