Processing or camera damaged negs

Kell

I have an issue which I am trying to figure out. For the last twelve months every neg that I get back from a camera shop is scratched. Doesnt show on the small prints but any enlargements that I get done show up with wonderful big scratches.

The guy in the shop said that there is probably grit somewhere in the camera or it gets caught in the felt area of the film cannister when the film is in storage. I checked the camera thoroughly, no grit, dust or anything else besides. The film cannister idea doesnt sit with me as I take film from plastic container, put in camera and put used film back into plastic container before I get it processed.

Anyway, what I wanted to ask was whether you guys think it's the camera or the processing? I asked the shop that if there was grit in the camera would the scratches show on slides as well to which they replied yes, however I compared two rolls; one slide and one neg that were taken on the same weekend. The negs were scratched the slides werent. I actually think thats self explanatory isn't it? The slides were sent to a lab for processing and came back scratch free. Methinks it's the shop. Anyone else think the same?

K-

Wook

erhmm, the next logical step would be to try a different shop ?
see if it happends again.. then you know ? or use a different camera (load, spare) and the same shop ?

FinoBlad

It's almost certain to be the shop. I would say they farm out their slide development.

What shop is it?

Kell

On Georges Street. The slide stuff was pre paid so back to Fuji for that. I should bring the next couple of rolls somewhere else just to be sure.

FinoBlad

Has it happened every single roll of negs?
Can you see the scratch the full length of your negs?

I'd certainly try another shop before you make any accusation.

Kell

Originally posted by FinoBlad
Has it happened every single roll of negs?
Can you see the scratch the full length of your negs?

I'd certainly try another shop before you make any accusation.

Every roll, full length of neg. I had considered not posting the name of the shop and I might edit anyway.

K-

norma

If the negatives are scratched from one end of the roll to the other, that indicates that the scratches occurred during development. When the film is in your camera, the end never leaves the cannister, therefore cannot be scratched. But when it's being processed, the whole strip of film from start to finish goes through their machine. The fact that the slides were processed elsewhere and weren't scratched also indicates that the shop is at fault.

FinoBlad

It's in the development OK, I'm surprised others that use that shop haven't complained though.

You could use a different camera or borrow one and use your normal lab too, and a roll in your normal camera to a different lab.

If its B+W you're using maybe its time to buy a changing bag, a tank and some reels. Nobody will process your films with as much care as you will yourself!

Kell

It's a pity that I didnt realise the damage until it was too late. It had been nearly a year since the last time I got an enlargement done and when I checked back through 40+ rolls, all damaged. Pity I never kept the receipts in which case I reckon I am owed a few hundred euro's for the damage.

Good point Finoblad. I have a spare camera that I might just bang off a roll or junk and same with the regular camera and use different labs to compare the results.

Cheers all.

K-

innisfree

I've used Camera Exchange on Georges St. several times for processing B+W negs. Every time they've had scratches and the last (for some serious work) they were appallingly bad. So bad that it seemed like they went to great efforts to destroy them. Scratches everywherre... dried blotches (some of which removed the emulsion). Absolutely disgraceful. I'm writing a big letter of complaint to them very soon.

havok*

If its colour slides your working with, if you buy the process paid stuff, they have to send it off to get developed, none is done in-house.

If its B&W, you could develop the roll yourself. You dont need a dark room to develop film (but you do for printing) pick yourself up a "black bag" , tank , and some D-76. You'll also need a bottle opener and a scissors.

FinoBlad

Whats Kell entitled to?

I think you should take every scratched negative in to the shop and get a replacement film including processing [with no scratching] for every damaged film.

I know you deleted the name of the shop; but if you don't get some type of deal and apology from the shop then its time to name and shame.

Wook

deleted the name of the shop ? why ?

FinoBlad

I think kell deleted the shops name because it was uncertain at the time whose fault it was. It seems obvious now though...