Random Vein Patterns on Super 8 Film – help!

[sigr]

I just finished transferring a 300 foot reel of super 8 film for a client and found that most of it is littered with random vein patterns. See the following still:

http://www.vintagemedia.ca/images/VeinPattern.JPG

Can anyone tell me what this is and what may have caused it? My first thought was mildew, but I believe that is usually a white powdery substance that can be cleaned off relatively easily with a good film cleaner (I use FilmGuard).

These vein patterns are not obvious by looking at the film with the naked eye. The reel (plastic in a plastic can) is made up of six 50 foot mini reels and curiously, the second one is not affected by this problem, but the rest are. Also, the client had these films transferred to VHS tape about 10 years ago. That tape shows no sign of the problem. However, I should add that the films have been stored in an unheated garage for a while (probably several years) before they were brought to me recently.

Whatever this is, is there any chance that I might contaminate other films by running them through my WorkPrinter (subsequent to the one described above)? Personally I would think that that is unlikely, since a portion of the reel is unaffected by the problem, but I would like to hear other opinions.

Any suggestions for what this might be and how to (if possible) clean it, would be greatly appreciated. Also, since these patterns are totally random (each film frame has a different one), would it be possible to get rid of at least some of it by means of a video filter (Virtualdub/Avisynth) in case cleaning should prove unsuccessful?

Thanks in advance.
Sig

[Patrick]

Hmmm...I could be wrong about this but I wonder if it could be fungus, caused by storing the film in a humid climate.

[LastQuark]

This must be fungus growth. You should use something like FilmRenew. Bathe the film with the solution in metal can for a week. It is very safe. I left mine for experimental purposes for 2 months without negative effect on the film.

 
 

[leadlike]

You get similar patterns with poorly washed film as well-if his was home processed, then this is likely crystalized fixer on the film.

If this is lab processed, then I would suspect fungus, and keep it away from your other films.

[sigr]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. Based on what you are saying and the fact that the film was professionally developed, I'm leaning towards the conclusion that this must be fungus growth. The only remaining question is whether the film has been permanently damaged or not.

I searched the Internet for some further info (Google: "fungus on film") and came up with these 3 items:

http://faqs.kodak.com/35mm_english/FAQ_60_400.shtm

http://faqs.kodak.com/35mm_english/FAQ_60_401.shtm

http://faqs.kodak.com/35mm_english/FAQ_45_399.shtm

· The first item explains why fungus/mold forms on film.
· The second one suggests a method for cleaning it. However, I had already tried 99% concentration of Isopropyl alcohol (which I had on hand since I use it for certain types of film cleaning), but it didn't seem to remove the vein patterns.
· The third item suggests a company that may be able to help restore the film. As it happens, they are located almost in my back yard (only about 150 km (100 miles) from my location in Toronto. I will have to contact them and see if they can help.

Just to be sure, I also took closer look at the VHS tape that was made of these films several years ago. By reviewing more of the tape I can indeed see that the problem was there even at that time, although to a lesser extent.

Any further insights and suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks,
Sig