what happened to this roll of b&w film?

[marc_zhao]

<p>Hi everyone. I had a roll of 36 frame 35mm black and white tmax400 film developed at a lab recently and it came out terribly, and I am eager to figure out what happened to it as I am quite baffled. Here is the last five frames on the entire strip.<br>

<img src="http://i.imgur.com/njTFByK.jpg?1" alt="" width="1042" height="148" /></p>

<p>This pattern starts at frame 22. Before the 22th, the frames are fine except for frame 8.<br>

The lab told me I might have mishandled the film when unloading it from the camera and accidentally exposed the film, which I found it hard to believe because I didn't remember anything particular I did that could have potentially ruined the film, not to mention that I have never made that kind mistake since photo 101 in college. I have one suspicion that the lab screwed it up. The other possibility is that my camera has some kind of problem. It is a second hand Nikon EM I just bought from eBay and this IS my first roll with this camera. But why are the first 22 frames fine?<br>

<br />If this seems a typical kind of error to you experts, I am all ears and I appreciate your help and time!</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Do you have the negatives?<br>

No- no way to tell.<br>

Yes-do the streaks continue outside the image area to the sprocket holes and/or the edge of the film?<br>

Yes- light leak in the camera, most likely the back light seals.<br>

No - likely processing.</p>

[marc_zhao]

<p>Hi Charles,<br>

<br />I have the negatives. The streaks do continue outside the images. <br>

Can you explain to me why this means there is light leak in the camera rather than other scenarios?<br>

Thanks!</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Your photos posted with this thread, top left, is a classic example of bad light seals and severe light leak. Photos, 2, 3, and 4 are more of a single point light leak but still fairly extreme. Photo 5 is a slight light leak.<br>

Camera position with reference to the light source, in this case the sun, will determine the severity of the "fogging".<br>

Chemical fogging will occur from the inside edge of the sprocket holes and flare across the image slightly and the flares will be more evenly spaced across the frame consistent with the distance between sprocket holes. There is no consistent pattern to the fogging in your photos and the streaks remain fairly consistent in width from top to bottom of the photo.</p>

[stephen t]

<p>It's very easy to replace the light seals - I use black wool yarn of the appropriate diameter and it lay in the grooves in the camera back; it usually sticks by itself to the old seals. If not, Pliobond (easy to find at an Ace Hardware).<br>

Larger areas require self adhesive black felt found in small sheets at any hobby store.<br>

Give it a try and run a test roll - it has always worked for me.</p>

[c_watson1]

<p>Skip the yarn, glue and felt. On a Nikon EM, the critical seal--and the cause of leaks like yours--is at the back hinge. Clean off the old gick if it's still there. Even if it's not, get some thin adhesive backed foam and cut an 1/8" wide strip and stick at the edge of the back near the hinge. The channels along the length of the back effectively block light with or without the narrow seals that have usually disappeared with age. Don't bother trying to replace them.</p>

<p> </p>

[wogears]

<p>You can go to eBay and search for "light seal Nikon EM". I have found the kits available to be simple, easy to use and good-as-new.</p>

[peter_simpson1]

<p>Light seals? Jon Goodman. $10 and great instructions will fix you right up.</p>

<p>Why are the first 22 exposures fine? Maybe the back partially unlatched? The last shots were taken in bright sunlight?</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<blockquote>

<p>"But why are the first 22 frames fine?"</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Were those photos taken in bright daylight, or indoors or other subdued lighting? Was the camera in the lower half of a never-ready case? That can block the light - I used that trick to protect an OM-1 that needed a new door hinge seal. Other factors that can block the light and minimize light leaks: Holding the camera in the right hand (the palm blocks the door hinge area); keeping the camera around the neck against a black t-shirt; keeping the camera in a bag between shots. Those are some of the usual variables that explain why light leaks seem inconsistent.</p>

[marc_zhao]

<p>Hello everyone!<br>

<br />Thanks for all your input. I checked the camera and yes there is very little light seal left! So Charles you are completely correct. Lex the first 22 were mostly taken at night so I guess that explains too! I have no camera case. I did some looking on the internet and ebay and bought a light seal kit for my model. Just in case I need extra, do you guys have any recommendations as to where to find this kind of thin open cell self adhesive foam in new york city?</p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

 

[c_watson1]

<p>Hmmm. Might have been better to ask where to get the foam before ordering a pricey kit. Craft stores usually carry 8x11" sheets of thin black adhesive backed foam--usually about a buck. Despite claims this stuff isn't up to scratch, it's worked nicely for me in 35mm cameras and various medium format backs.YMMV, as usual.</p>