Robert Ridyard Posted August 3, 2008 Share #1 Posted August 3, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have recently started to scan my negatives and have noticed straight, horizontal lines on my negatives. These lines, scratches, always appear in the same place on the negatives. I do not wipe the negatives with anything after development; I use photo-flo and allow the film to simply hang and dry. The camera is a M4-2. Has anyone else experienced this kind of problem? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 Hi Robert Ridyard, Take a look here Sratches on negatives. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Photoskeptic Posted August 3, 2008 Share #2 Posted August 3, 2008 It would be helpful to know what type and brand of scanner you are using. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Ridyard Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted August 3, 2008 I use the Nikon coolscan IV (2900 dpi). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent M10 Posted August 3, 2008 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2008 I had the same problems with a Nikon Coolscan 5000 (the first model). I switched to a 9000 and all is well. It seemed that the scratches showed up on the best pictures. Go figure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleeson Posted August 3, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2008 I'd suspect the camera first, or dirt in the felt of the film cassette if you self-load bulk film. If you turn the negative around and rescan and the scratch stays in the same place in the image, this would be the answer. If you turn the film over and scan it again, you should get a second scratch if it's the scanner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Ridyard Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted August 3, 2008 I scanned the same negative twice, once on one side, then on the other, as suggested. No new scratches appeared, so this rules out the scanner. Two possibilities are left, the camera or the film cassette. If the problem is the camera, what could be the cause? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted August 3, 2008 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) The cause of scratches within a camera is often dirt/grit on the film transport rails. Suggest cleaning the interior of the film transport and take-up with a cotton bud and alcohol. You might also want to lubricate the rails delicately. It would also be a good idea to shoot a roll and get it developed elsewhere; this will help determine if the scratches are caused by something you're doing in processing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleeson Posted August 4, 2008 Share #8 Posted August 4, 2008 I scanned the same negative twice, once on one side, then on the other, as suggested. No new scratches appeared, so this rules out the scanner. Two possibilities are left, the camera or the film cassette. If the problem is the camera, what could be the cause? I suspected that. I've actually opened a Coolscan IV to clean the mirror and didn't think there were any contact points in there. Agree that cleaning the film rails and a different processor will further help narrow down the cause. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted August 4, 2008 Share #9 Posted August 4, 2008 If the scratches are on more than one roll of film and always in the same place then it is caused by your camera not the processing. If the base of the film has the scratches then it is your pressure plate causing it. It is hard to picture what would come in contact with the emulsion other than the film guide next to the shutter opening. You process your own film. Some labs pull the film back through the felt trap of the cassette and this adds to the potential for scratching. The best technique is to remove the film from the cassette when loading it into the processor or onto a reel. I don't think a scanner touches that part of your film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATB Posted August 4, 2008 Share #10 Posted August 4, 2008 I kept getting horizontal scratches on my negatives -- but these scratches are only visible when scanning using a Nikon Coolscan V, NOT on darkroom prints. I discovered that in my case, the problem was with the Printfile negative holders. I changed my workflow to scan before putting anything into the Printfile -- no more scratches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Ridyard Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted August 4, 2008 Thanks for the input. I think the camera is the culprit. I guess it's due for a good overhaul. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSV Posted August 5, 2008 Share #12 Posted August 5, 2008 It has happened to me as well my friends. To be honest I had this experience also using my Nikons years ago but I never discovered the truly faulty stuff. Personally I think that sometimes the scratches were caused by some dirt in the felt of the negative cassette and some other by the lab or by the camera film rails. Nowadays, at least for me, I'm afraid that is the lab the one to blame! Nevertheless, there's one other aspect I take in great consideration as well, using my M6 I take care not to force at all over the rear film camera lid while rewinding the film, I can't be sure but... who knows! Have a nice day. PS: It seems strange to me that the original "printfile" holder could damage the film, I don't hope so, I use them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted August 5, 2008 Share #13 Posted August 5, 2008 Given the length of them I sometimes wonder whether they are got during the continuous movement of rewind rather than in frame by frame advance. Academic though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Ridyard Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share #14 Posted August 5, 2008 I (gently) wiped the pressure plate with an Ilford anti-static cloth, shot a roll of film and... no more scratches! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleeson Posted August 6, 2008 Share #15 Posted August 6, 2008 Excellent! A simple solution... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iglinari Posted August 6, 2008 Share #16 Posted August 6, 2008 Hi, I have a similar problem with an M6 and Coolscan V. I took a film strip with no scratches and ran it through the scanner once. When I examined it afterwards, there were light scratches on the film. Going to try this again, and the described technique also. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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