Diagnose a problem for me please...
Discussion
Morning - was looking through some prints I recently got developed from an old Canon A1 and there seems to be a problem in quite a few of them, of vertical bands of light affecting the image.
They are most pronounced on this, under-exposed disaster of a photo, but also present in bright, well-lit daytime shots as well (though much harder to detect.
Any ideas? I'm hoping someone expert will spot the issue immediately and say "Aha! It's a damaged film!" or "Aha! The developers have made an arse of it!" but hopefully not "Aha! He'a cack-handed fool and has done something stupid" (though it would be good to know what) or ""Aha! His camera is broken"
Over to you...
They are most pronounced on this, under-exposed disaster of a photo, but also present in bright, well-lit daytime shots as well (though much harder to detect.
Any ideas? I'm hoping someone expert will spot the issue immediately and say "Aha! It's a damaged film!" or "Aha! The developers have made an arse of it!" but hopefully not "Aha! He'a cack-handed fool and has done something stupid" (though it would be good to know what) or ""Aha! His camera is broken"
Over to you...
markmullen said:
I'm guessing a light leak onto the film, either in the camera or in processing.
I'd agree with this... Almost 100% light getting in... could easily be in processing, but the only way to tell is to get another film processed, (somewhere else!) then if it's fine, at least you can complain!Disastrous said:
Thanks all. The camera 'ought' to be in good nick as it was my father's and well cared for.
As a further thought, not every image taken (I shot four rolls that weekend) has this problem, so my thinking was a camera problem would be constant?
Probably, though not necessarily - I've developed lots of wet film in my time and if you get it slightly wrong only some of the roll will be affected.As a further thought, not every image taken (I shot four rolls that weekend) has this problem, so my thinking was a camera problem would be constant?
...but 'tis most likely light into the camera. Best way to check is look over the camera, if it looks good, take another roll and send to a different lab.
GetCarter said:
Disastrous said:
Thanks all. The camera 'ought' to be in good nick as it was my father's and well cared for.
As a further thought, not every image taken (I shot four rolls that weekend) has this problem, so my thinking was a camera problem would be constant?
Probably, though not necessarily - I've developed lots of wet film in my time and if you get it slightly wrong only some of the roll will be affected.As a further thought, not every image taken (I shot four rolls that weekend) has this problem, so my thinking was a camera problem would be constant?
...but 'tis most likely light into the camera. Best way to check is look over the camera, if it looks good, take another roll and send to a different lab.
I think I'll fire off another roll and send it away. Any ideas where's good for developing?
I used Snappy Snaps before btw, if that means anything to anyone.
Doh! I put it out in B&W.
With film cameras, make sure the spring plate behind the film is sprung properly and clean. But don't put any greasy paw prints on it!
Go carefully round the sealing material to check it's not perished. IIRC the very, very, very lightest Vaseline type grease, from a slightly greasy clean cloth once a decade might be useful on a "hard" rubber seal.
Also check the metal edge around the door, both door and body, for any buckling - apply appropriate
to keep in shape (that last bit not necessarily serious 
)
With film cameras, make sure the spring plate behind the film is sprung properly and clean. But don't put any greasy paw prints on it!
Go carefully round the sealing material to check it's not perished. IIRC the very, very, very lightest Vaseline type grease, from a slightly greasy clean cloth once a decade might be useful on a "hard" rubber seal.
Also check the metal edge around the door, both door and body, for any buckling - apply appropriate
to keep in shape (that last bit not necessarily serious )markmullen said:
I find a changing bag useful
I haven't found one big enough to get in yet, so choose the right clothes before leaving...Magic919 said:
I've only seen foam light seals in 35mm cameras. They tend to break up and/or turn to goo over time.
From what I recall of such things, the seals were a sort of black velvet, not foam. Foam is always going to break up with time. Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff