Feint lines at frame edge on Dynax 7

I have noticed a strange phenomenon on transparencies taken on my Dynax

(Maxxum) 7. Close to all 4 frame edges, although more pronounced on left and right

edges there appears to be a narrow strip of lower density and then a noticeable step

to the overall density of the slide. It is feint but noticeable and of course,

unacceptable.

 

I only first noticed the problem when starting to scan some tranny's on my Nikon.

 

The fault is visible to some extent on every frame of about 24 rolls of slide put

through the camera since new. Every roll has been processed by the same lab.

 

I am personally convinced that it's actually processing but I've had extensive

arguements with the lab concerned.

 

My theory is some sort of chemical imbalance causes the unexposed non-frame areas

to hold developer and create a depletion and local under-development of the

adjacent image area. It has an accutance type look to it.

 

I have not observed the problem on either B&W or colour negative (Different lab -

different process!), although neg has lower contrast (than slide) and it would be

harded to spot on the raw neg anyway.

 

The lab insist it's a camera fault, but I'd love to know how? Could it be a reflection of

the gate edge? Anything else?

 

Yes, I am currently putting test rolls through another lab, but what if...

 

a) Their processing is equally bad and the fault still appears - still doesn't mean it's

the camera.

 

b) The fault is still present and it IS the camera, what do I do then? It's not easy to

describe or even show to an untrained eye!

 

Your help and contributions will be gratefully received!

Is it only visible in a scanned image of a mounted slide? What type of maount. If you take a slide out of the mount and put it in a negative holder do you get similar results?

Plastic mounts sometimes interfere with the scan at the edges. Pretty hard to see how it would be related to problems with processing since the edges between the frames are in the middle of the film. You also need to post and example

The marks/lines are visible under a loupe on a lightbox. The slides are in uncut rolls.

The issue is not related to scanning. Further examination since the original post

shows the marking seems only to have occured on Fuji stock. I have one roll of

Panther that seems unaffected. This compounds my belief that it is a processing

issue.

If this was a reflection, the rim would be brighter, not darker.

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I shoot slides exclusively with the 7, and I never encountered this problem. nor did I ever hear of it.

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Please post an example.

The rim or edge of frame IS lighter (lower density) which can still be either a reflection

or a depletion issue in processing. Glad to hear you have had no problems. What

stock do you use? Fuji or Kodak? Do you know the chemistry of your lab, or do you

process yourself?

I don't process E-6 myself. I did process a few B/W films myself. For slide film I used both Fuji and Kodak, processed at different labs. Don't know what chemistry they use. I had one Kodak TMX processed in a lab, and I have processed different Ilford films myself. I never had the problem you describe. I seriously doubt it has anything to do with the camera.

<p>

What lens did you use? Again, posting an example could help a lot.

I've scanned the frame line between two frames. A low resolution and on a screen, it's

not as easy to see as it is on a lightbox. The arrows indicate the presence of the line

which is honestly worse than it appears on screen.

 

In relation to the query about lenses used:

 

AF 24-105 1:3.5-4.5 D

AF 100-300 1:4.5-5.6 D

 

Unfortunately there is also an issue with vignetting on these lenses. Apparent on Fuji

Velvia 50 ASA but wasn't immediately apparent on neg. But that's another story that I

have already contacted Minolta about and am waiting for a reply.

Here's a more aesthetic sample. I've included the top edge of the scan. You can just

see the density change along the top edge.<div></div>

Here's a more aesthetic sample. I've included the top edge of the scan. You can just

see the density change along the top edge.<div></div>

At what focal length and which aperture did you use? With wide-angle lenses and wide apertures you will almost always have vignetting, and using a high-contrast film like Velvia makes it even more visible. In your example it's not extreme. The only remedy is using a smaller aperture.

Firstly, apologies for the double post. The server informed me that the first post had

failed and that I should post again. Sorry.

 

In relation to the vignetting, I just got a test roll back from a different lab.

 

On my 24-105 D lens the 24mm end vignettes significantly at ALL apertures.

At 50mm vignetting still slightly visible even down to f22.

At 105mm vignetting only completely absent at f22

 

The test was conducted shooting 24mm, 50mm and 105mm settings at f4, f8 and f22

 

The 100-300 was similarly tested at 100mm and 300mm settings. Similarly,

vignetting significant at f4, reduced at f8 but only (completely) absent at f22.

The 300mm end was better than the 100mm but you really don't expect vignetting of

this magnitude on lenses of this length.

 

Test was also conducted for Skylight filter and (separately) a circular Polarizer. There

was no additional impact from the filters, which is nice to know.

 

The stock was Fuji Velvia 50ASA processed professionally using Tetenal Chemistry

which is manufactured in Germany. It's becoming increasingly hard to find a lab that

uses genuine Kodak or FUJI-Hunt chemistry. I guess Tetenal is cheaper.

 

Frankly, I'm deeply concerned about the possibility that this level of vignetting is

inherent in the design of these lenses and is exacerbated by the contrast of FUJI

50ASA. Don't tell me I simply can't use the 24-105 except at 105mm and f22!!!!!!

 

I've contacted Minolta who have thus far, generously offered to inspect camera body

and lenses gratis, they do seem genuinely concerned.

 

In relation to the feint line issue, lines still apparent on film processed in another lab.

I haven't given up on the idea that it still is a chemistry issue but Minolta have

suggested (on the limited information so far provided by me) that there may be an

internal reflection issue.

 

Bear(?) in mind that this phenomenon will never be visible to those who always get

their trannys mounted at time of processing. It is probably only the consistent

presence of the lines on about 24 uncut rolls that brought it to my attention.