Topic: Why do my photos sometimes look like this?

[Indofunk]

I've been bulk rolling for a while now, and occasionally I'll get a few photos that look like this. To me it looks like something was rolled improperly with the sprocket holes slipping up a bit and then somehow the whole thing gets exposed to light just a tiny bit. Am I rolling it wrong? Is it a problem with the bulk roller? A problem with the film in the can before I even open it? Did I somehow expose the can to light? Did this happen while actually taking the photo? Any other ideas?

[hookstrapped]

Stop taking pics on Venus?

[Kai-san]

This looks like a problem with your camera or incorrect loading of the film. Unless you have cropped this image it shows that the film isn't running straight along the film path, but at an angle.

[Indofunk]

This looks like a problem with your camera or incorrect loading of the film. Unless you have cropped this image it shows that the film isn't running straight along the film path, but at an angle.

To be clear, those sprocket holes are not actual holes, they're just lighter areas of the film. So yeah, the film isn't running straight at some point, but when it comes out of the cassette into the film plane it looks like it's straight... I'll attach a full scan of that section.

[Kai-san]

That's really weird! You've got pictures of sprocket holes where there are no sprocket holes! Check that there isn't a fragment of film stuck in the film gate or in front of the shutter. What camere are you using?

[Francois]

Could it be that light has come into the bulk loader through the edge around the lid and slightly fogged the film?
I know mine are made from a brittle plastic and putting too much torque on the lid screw can crack the edges.
My bulk loaders are the Lloyds type and probably date back to the steam age!
So I've begun sealing that edge with electrical tape just to be sure.

[Indofunk]

That's really weird! You've got pictures of sprocket holes where there are no sprocket holes! Check that there isn't a fragment of film stuck in the film gate or in front of the shutter. What camere are you using?

Pretty sure it has happened on multiple cameras, which makes me suspect the bulk roller, but in this case it was a Pentax ME Super which is otherwise is perfect working condition, was CLA'd a few years ago.

[Indofunk]

Could it be that light has come into the bulk loader through the edge around the lid and slightly fogged the film?
I know mine are made from a brittle plastic and putting too much torque on the lid screw can crack the edges.
My bulk loaders are the Lloyds type and probably date back to the steam age!
So I've begun sealing that edge with electrical tape just to be sure.

This sounds perhaps accurate. So when you say "the lid" you mean that whole top part that you pop off in a dark bag to load in a new reel, right? My bulk loaders are brand-new Lloyds, but they do feel pretty cheaply made. I'll try taping the top.

[Bryan]

Could it be that light has come into the bulk loader through the edge around the lid and slightly fogged the film?
I know mine are made from a brittle plastic and putting too much torque on the lid screw can crack the edges.
My bulk loaders are the Lloyds type and probably date back to the steam age!
So I've begun sealing that edge with electrical tape just to be sure.

This sounds perhaps accurate. So when you say "the lid" you mean that whole top part that you pop off in a dark bag to load in a new reel, right? My bulk loaders are brand-new Lloyds, but they do feel pretty cheaply made. I'll try taping the top.

If you have a Watson type loader, it is possible to open the lid where you put the cassette without turning the knob to close the seal.  That would do what you're showing. 

[Francois]

This sounds perhaps accurate. So when you say "the lid" you mean that whole top part that you pop off in a dark bag to load in a new reel, right? My bulk loaders are brand-new Lloyds, but they do feel pretty cheaply made. I'll try taping the top.

Wise decision. The sprockets are the shadow of a part of the film. That's why they are in a curve. If it was a camera problem, it wouldn't be that long and it probably would be at a sharp angle. It probably happens at only one part of the film. After taping the loader up, you should be good after a few inches of film.

[Pete_R]

Got confused there for a bit. Your film strip is a positive and my brain is telling me I'm looking at a negative. Duh!

I concur with François. Light leak in your loader.