Jim Trahan 
, Jan 20, 2012; 11:04 p.m.
I have shot three rolls film, 2 BW and 1 color with my IIIc. Both of the BW negatives show very thin scratches on the top half of the negative, presented as longitudinal lines that carry across the entire roll. The color roll does not have any of these lines present.
To my eyes it does not appear to be a problem with the curtain.
I am using the same photo processor (they actually send it out to be developed by machine). Each roll was developed about a week apart. The BW is developed on a different machine than the color film.
Is there a way for me to tell if the film is getting scratched by the camera or by the processor?
(FWIW, I’m not setup to develop these at home)
Thanks,
Jim
Jim Trahan , Jan 20, 2012; 11:05 p.m.
I forgot to mention, the lines are in the precise same location on both rolls of BW. --Thanks
Emir I , Jan 21, 2012; 12:12 a.m.
Jim, in the past I used to experience similar problem with some rolls of film used in my MP. The line would always be horizontal running along the entire length of the roll. It appeared that the film was scratched either during winding (in camera) or during the development process. I haven't seen that problem for a while and I decided that it must have been a problem with the lab I used at the time, although I did suspect the camera too. Now that you mentioned I am thinking once again that it could be my camera. Anyway, if someone has a good answer it would be nice to hear it. Thanks
Cory Ammerman 
, Jan 21, 2012; 12:46 a.m.
Since the lines appeared on the B&W only, I would think that the problem is in the processing. Most large labs have dedicated machines for B&W and color due to the different chemistry, explaining why you would get them with B&W, but not color. If it was a problem with the camera, it would appear on both types of film.
Stephen Lewis 
, Jan 21, 2012; 09:00 a.m.
Jim - if you are bulk loading your B&W film, it could be either the light shields on the bulk loader or the cassettes. Otherwise, I would be inclined to agree that the problem is probably with the machine processing the B&W films.
John Shriver 
, Jan 21, 2012; 10:14 a.m.
Have them process an unexposed roll of film. If it has scratches -- it's their fault.
Mukul Dube , Jan 21, 2012; 11:56 a.m.
You have the answer here: "If it was a problem with the camera, it would appear on both types of film."
Jim Trahan , Jan 21, 2012; 12:24 p.m.
Here's an example of what I am seeing. Let me ask, if it was my camera what would be causing it?
Notice that there are some diagonal scratches on this image/roll. Would that also be consistant with the processor?
Example of Damage
Stuart Richardson , Jan 21, 2012; 01:31 p.m.
It's consistent with a dirty machine at a lab that does not handle your film with a lot of care. Or at least the film has not been treated well in this particular case. Since the scratch is along the whole negative, it is consistent with a roller-transport type of processing machine. These need to be kept very clean, as the film is basically dragged all the way through it, so if there is grit or a burr along the film path, it will cause a scratch like this. It could also be from the scanner if it is a roller transport scanner. More likely to be during processing though, as the film is more delicate when it is wet. The diagonal scratch would be from general handling, either during the cutting, sleeving or scanning. This could be from the lab, or from you, depending on what kind of work you did.
Michael Ging 
, Jan 21, 2012; 06:54 p.m.
I would suspect the pressure plate on the back of the camera that keeps the film flat against the film plane. Some films are thicker than others and that might be why you see it with some rolls and not others.
