Image artifacts in negatives

[barry_r]

<p>I recently acquired a Bronica GS-1, my first foray into medium format film cameras. It was advertised as mint condition and it certainly appears to be so. I shot my first roll of color negative film and got it back today. There are broad, periodic bands present in the film throughout the image. It's hard to tell if they are light bands on a normal background, dark bands on a normal background or alternating light and dark bands. I searched for some information but a lot of the posts no longer have linkable images to compare with. I attach a sample image, scanned with a digital camera.</p>

<p>My first concern is that there's an issue with the camera. If so, I would still have a little time to return it. But to my thinking, a light leak wouldn't be periodic. Also, as it is a leaf shutter in the lens, it's not a shutter issue. Some posts I've read alluded to issues with the development (I took it to a local camera store where they do the processing in house. I'm not sure how good they are.)</p>

<p>Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I shot a roll of slide film at the same time. The presence/absence of bands would be useful information, but the film is being processed at another site and they said it could be a while before it is done.</p>

<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zM9inP4JxBA/VpgS5NSdXDI/AAAAAAAAHZo/TJpR4vRHKnk/s576-Ic42/Streak%252520Example.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

[alfonso e. perez-gonzalez]

<p>My guesses are (if these bands are visible with the naked eye, and not only with the scanner):<br>

1) Old film or bad batch<br>

2) Film was refrigerated and didn't have enough time to warm up to ambient temperature in a sealed and dry--low humidity-- container or original sealed container...but even distribution of lines makes this theory less likely<br>

3) Improper developing process or equipment was not properly maintained<br>

4) exposure to x-ray or radioactive source<br>

If the bands are not visible with the naked eye, it may be the scanner.</p>

[barry_r]

<p>Bands were visible with the naked eye.</p>

<p>Film was recently purchased from B&H. Date was good.</p>

<p>I kept the film at room temperature.</p>

<p>There was no exposure to x-ray or radioactive sources once in my possession.</p>

<p> </p>

[SCL]

<p>If all the images have similar bands it is probably the development.</p>

[barry_r]

<p>Just curious - what in the development might cause this?</p>

 

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Looks like processing streaking to me. The film is transported through the machine by rollers, and if the machine hasn't been used for rollfilm development for a while, then I think you have your answer. <em>Nobody</em> uses little local processing shops for 120 rollfilm these days.</p>

<p>Inconsistent processing was the main reason I stopped using film and blessed the day that digital imaging was invented.</p>

[kmcgrew]

<p>How are the seals on the film back? In the last few years I've had all of the seals on my MR camera bodies and their film backs replaced.</p>

<p>You may want to buy positive (slide) film and Fuji mail-in processor envelopes from B&H and try that. Parsons, the lab which does the processing, does an excellent job of processing 'chrome' films, irrespective of manufacturer. Each mailer is good for a 36-exposure roll of 35mm film or a single roll of 120 film.</p>

<p>If you are near a major metropolitan area check and see if there is a professional custom processing lab left in business. I'm in Tampa, FL and we have Zebra Color nearby in St. Petersburg, FL; Zebra Color has always done an excellent job on both MF and LF for me.</p>