Fog on Negative

[rmjeswald]

<p>These is first negative taken on new 4x5 camera on portra 400 (1/2 image scan on Epson V500). Never have had such a poor experience in color results and worse; fog on negative on left side and darker contrast in upper right. Developing errors? Light leak? Insight appreciated!<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/18302751-lg.jpg" alt="" width="609" height="1200" /><img src="/photo/18302750&size=lg" alt="" /></p>

[john_shriver]

<p>Processing and the condition of the film can be tested by developing an unexposed sheet of film.<br>

Light leaks can be checked for by putting the film in the camera, pulling the dark slide, but never tripping the shutter.<br>

Dark corner could be vignetting.<br>

Looks possibly like condensation mottle. Did you let the film box warm long enough after taking it out of fridge/freezer? Could the film ever have been refrigerated/frozen without a suitable vapor barrier?<br>

Might be cheaper testing with B&W film...</p>

 

[rmjeswald]

<p>Thanks John will try that test. As I am thinking back, the film tank may have had some moisture in it from prior session after it was cleaned. Would that be consistent in what you observed? Also, my understanding is that a light leak would present more linearly as opposed to blotches . . is that correct. Thanks for your comments.</p>

[Jochen_S]

<p>Condensation mottle <em>must</em> be due to moisture acquired <em>before</em> you exposed that sheet. - No need to have a severely dried processing tank as long as you don't have a fixer puddle inside it.<br>

No clue about the rest.</p>

[rmjeswald]

<p>John attached is the negative that was exposed by just removing the dark slide as you suggested. Notice the light leaks that appear to be coming from the upper corners of the rear standard where the bellows are glued. I guess my question now is . . is this something to worry about as it doesn't appear to reach the image area. i.e. is it "normal" challenges with large format cameras or should I be thinking about getting it fixed. Again appreciate any advice. </p><div></div>

[James G. Dainis]

If you are like me you insert the film into the film holder with the notches at the top. That means the small light burnt areas would be on the film at the bottom of the film holder. The bottom gets inserted first so the leak is either along the left side of the bellow, (if holder is inserted horizontally) or on the bottom of the bellows (if the holder is inserted vertically.)

 

Those leaks look pretty sharp. I'm trying to figure if it could be a problem with the film holder(s) but I don't see how unless the dark slide is not setting well or there is damage to the folding flap part of the holder on the bottom. If you have the problem with all the film holders then it must be the bellows.

[rmjeswald]

<p>Thanks James, good insight</p>

[mark_miranda2]

<p>I've encountered this very thing more than once in the past, looks to me like your film holder has a light leak. If you've loaded your film bottom edge first, the issue most likely, is where dark slide slot is. I've seen this mostly in older or aged, film holders that I acquired over the years. Due to lack of attention on my part, I ran through a number of sheets of film before the "light went on". Try loading & developing a sheet of B/W in the suspect slot without removing the slide, if the neg developes clean, you're good. Next, again, load a sheet, insert the holder into the camera, pull the slide and the reinsert, without firing the shutter, and develop that sheet, if it looks like your example that you've shown here, you've most likely found the problem. As mentioned above, there's a possibility that it could be a bellows thing, but the pattern is sometimes a little different, it tends to show across the entire sheet in most instances.</p>

[rmjeswald]

<p>Mark thanks for the advice. I actually have done as you suggested (i.e. inserting film holder, pulling dark slide, put slide back in without triggering the shutter). I have another thread in the large format forum with a copy of the negative I produced. I then put flashlight in the camera in a dark room and sure enough, light leaks in the corner and top of the bellows upper rear standard. So my conclusion is the culprit is the bellows not seated properly. Would you agree with my conclusion? </p>

[James G. Dainis]

If the film is loaded into the film hold with the notches going into the top then when the film holder was inserted horizontally into the camera back the burnt areas you show in the image above would be on the top left side where you say you see the bellows leaks. Turn the photo you show above 180 degrees to see the way the film looks when it is place in the camera back.<div></div>

[mark_miranda2]

<p>can't disagree at all...but you better get those pesky gremlins outta your camera before they do more damage ;>)</p>

[mark_miranda2]

<p>By the way...I saw your image titled "Hope"...nicely done, color right where it should be, not oversaturated, excellent shadows...hats off! </p>

[rmjeswald]

<p>Thanks again Mark! Appreciate the kind words too!</p>