Strange markings

[acjtucson]

I am rather new to large format. I shot some desert images with Velvia and a

Fuji Quickload. I also shot some Tmax with a Kodak Readyload. I was surprised

that in each corner of the negative (or pos.) there were 5 dots in a line, each

arranged vertically (with the image viewed in the horizontal)with the dots about

1mm apart. There was one of these in each corner. They did not match up in

precisely the same location on each image so I am guessing that it is not a

problem with the filmholders. Sometimes the dots were on the image, sometimes on

the black border and sometimes outside the border. Do I need to find a new lab?

[david_papas]

No matter where you get your film processed, those marks will be there, they are from the

clips they use to attatch them to the hangers that go into the E6 machine. It's normal.

[acjtucson]

Thanks a lot for the response. I am relieved to know it is not my equipment but kind of bummed out to learn it will be on every image. Do most labs do a good job of keeping the marks outside of the image or is it really hit and miss all the time?

[ilkka]

You can develop yourself and use either trays or a tank that does not need clips to hold the film.