Scratches on Newly Developed Film

[Roster]

Just tested a Bauer C50 XL I picked up dirt cheap. Shot Kodachrome and just let the camera roll on auto exposure. Got the film back from Dwayne's today and the exposure and focus was excellent, no jitter, no breathing, basically rock steady. There was, however, some thin black scratches that ran throughout most of the reel.

Does this sound like a camera issue or a developing issue? I can't remember what color scratches indicate source of problem. I think it's a camera issue but I would appreciate any feedback or opinions.

Thank you
Wooda

[Jean Poirier]

Did you clean the film gate? Could be this simple solution I hope. Jean

[David M. Leugers]

If the scratches are black lines - the scratches are on the base side of the film. Actually good news (if there is such a thing with scratched film) since you can make them disappear by applying FilmGuard to the film. Stuff is amazing.

Always do a good cleaning of the gate especially when picking up a new camera before you shoot your first roll. However, since the scratches were on the base, it seems the scratches were either made during development, the cartridge itself scratched the film, or your projector scratched the film as you projected it... The gate of the camera touches the emulsion side of the film...

[Roster]

Did you clean the film gate? Could be this simple solution I hope. Jean

No, I should have. Unfortunately the Bauer C50 XL does not have a side door with easy access to the gate. Film loads from the rear. I suppose I could find a bulb type blower brush with a really long neck, remove brush, and then blow the gate clean prior to film loading. Any other recommendations or suggested procedures for cleaning super 8 gates? (I have several other S8 cameras)

Actually good news (if there is such a thing with scratched film) since you can make them disappear by applying FilmGuard to the film. Stuff is amazing.

I am not familiar with FilmGuard. Is this similar to Ecco Photo Sweep (Anti Static Film Cleaner)? Where can you purchase this product? I did a search on B&H Photo and could not find it.

Thank you for your feedback
Wooda

[cineandy]

Hi, experianced same problems with two different bauers over the years. Gate issue, imo. Never had any black line scratching from Dwayne's.

[David M. Leugers]

I am not familiar with FilmGuard. Is this similar to Ecco Photo Sweep (Anti Static Film Cleaner)? Where can you purchase this product? I did a search on B&H Photo and could not find it.

Film-Tech.com check out products then a list of dealers. I recommend Steve Osborne at the Reel Image. Great guy and film fanatic.

[Roster]

David,

Thank you for the Film-Tech link and I will look into Reel Image. I think I have come across that outfit before. In any event, I will give Film Guard a try.

Wooda

[Chris-B]

I have had a problem with film being scratched with black lines.

The scraches on mine were at the start of each shot for about 3-10 frames and sometimes they appeared again at the end of the shot too.

I think the camera/cartridge did it. It was not in any way a processing fault.

I also had a problem with a projector that I was using and that put different scraches on this film. (I checked some of the film on a flatbed scanner before projecting it so I know the scratches at the begining and end of shots where nothing at all to do with the projector. Also the scraches were hardly there using my Nizo but always there my Sankyo. Maybe I got dirt from the camera into the cartridge some how?)

I used Filmgard before doing a telecine and the scratches caused by the projector were removed but the ones at the start and end of shots were not.

So, filmgaurd might work ok (but it might not).
Filmgaurd is a good to have around anyway.
Chris.

[David M. Leugers]

I used Filmgard before doing a telecine and the scratches caused by the projector were removed but the ones at the start and end of shots were not.

Which leads one to conclude that the scratches at the beginning and end of shots were created in camera - on the emulsion side of the film. FilmGuard can not replace image that is missing which is what you have with an emulsion scratch. When your S-8mm cartridge of film is running through your camera the emulsion side of the film is against the camera's gate. Thus the camera can only scratch the emulsion side of the film. Any base scratches come from elsewhere: cartridge (even faulty loading), the lab, or any film handling equipment including projectors.

[Roster]

The scratches I first reported on ran throughout most of the reel. There were two consistent ones and a third intermittent one. It almost looked like hairs or threads caught in the gate of the projector - that's how fine they were - but they were not that.

Looking forward to trying out film guard and conducting more tests.

[grainy]

I used Filmgard before doing a telecine and the scratches caused by the projector were removed but the ones at the start and end of shots were not.

Which leads one to conclude that the scratches at the beginning and end of shots were created in camera - on the emulsion side of the film. FilmGuard can not replace image that is missing which is what you have with an emulsion scratch. When your S-8mm cartridge of film is running through your camera the emulsion side of the film is against the camera's gate. Thus the camera can only scratch the emulsion side of the film. Any base scratches come from elsewhere: cartridge (even faulty loading), the lab, or any film handling equipment including projectors.

Hi everyone - I'm reviving this ancient thread because I've noticed a black scratch about 3/4 of the way to the right of my images using one of my cameras. I thought I cleaned the gate pretty well (but I was just using a children's toothbrush like the Pro8 guy shows on his video), and I also tried (sorta) to clean the projector gate but it's pretty tough to get in there. I suppose it's possible it's the lab (alpha) but doesn't seem likely because 1)they're serious and 2) it's been 8 months between reels and someone would've complained by now.

So! Here are my questions:
1 - where can I get this Filmguard stuff? A camera shop or is it a specialty item?
2 - any tips on finding the problem areas in camera and especially projector? I hardly know what to look for and I am not good with my hands.

thanks much
Grainy