Topic: Polaroid Help Line ...

[Sandeha Lynch]

Someone will know.   

Are these streaks across the bottom a light leak from the bellows, or perhaps a timing/processing issue? 





Thanks in advance.

[Chalky]

I'm certainly not an expert but I'm guessing this is impossible film shot in an SX-70?

I'd say this probably isn't a leaky bellows, but more likely quirkiness of the impossible film?

I get strange areas that develop more light/dark fairly often, although it is a little odd that these are very similar.

I'm still voting it's the film, but hopefully someone else will chip in.

[Francois]

either the film or the rollers don't eject the film smoothly...

[Sandeha Lynch]

Indeed, an SX-70 with PX600.

You're right Francois, that the shots didn't eject all that smoothly.   The rollers are clean, but I had the same marks on one shot that I took a couple of weeks ago.  I'll have to poke around before I use it again.  All those high-tech gizzards may just be worn out.

[Phil Bebbington]

I've had this happen from time to time with 600 film in the SX-70 - it certainly seems like rollers to me or at least the film not ejecting smoothly.

[moominsean]

i think it's actually caused by IP film's sensitivity to light after ejecting. not sure how you cover it while it is spitting out, or what you do with it after while it is developing, but it looks to be basically light leaks, but not the kind caused by the camera. the film just doesn't have the same whatever it is that 600 has that prevents exposure while developing. if you search the IP site and flickr, there are various options to protect the film as it ejects.

[Jack Johnson]

If you search the IP site and flickr, there are various options to protect the film as it ejects.

Erin also shows off her technique in FM podcast (vodcast?) #5: http://filmwasters.com/podcast/archives/188

[Sandeha Lynch]

All about getting your fingers in the right place and not in the wrong places, I suspect.    

It was by using a card to cover the print as it came out that I momentarily blocked the ejection - one I actually had to grip and pull, though all three prints have the same marks.  Thanks.

[Mojave]

Erin also shows off her technique in FM podcast (vodcast?) #5: http://filmwasters.com/podcast/archives/188

Thanks Jack!!!

And yeah, it looks like TIP light sensitivity to me. And one thing I found when shooting TIP film in the SX70 when I first started doing that, was that in my attempts to put something over the film as it ejected, I interfered with the workings inside the bellows because of how I was holding the camera. It doesnt take much outside pressure to mess with them so if your fingers are anywhere near the bellows when you shoot, that might be part of your problem. Just a thought. 

[Mojave]

Oh yeah, and if you want to lose the moira, and I think I spelled that wrong, get a zip lock bag and pull it apart so you have two, single pieces. Then lay down one piece on the scanner first, then your pola, then a thick magazine, close the lid, and put a semi heavy book on the scanner lid. Nothing so heavy that you break your scanner, but something just heavy enough to weigh it down a bit. This will get rid of the moira completely. It makes the image a bit foggy, but not much and that can easily be fixed by boosting the blacks in ACR in PS. Easy peasy and so much better than trying to clone out the moira. But thats only if you want to get rid of the moira. Sometimes people want to keep it.

[moominsean]

i usually use an old empty pack for scanning. rip the bottom off, put the print back in the pack, and lay this down on the scanner. you lose the polaroid frame, but it scans better. i made myself a "frame template" that i can put together in PS.

[Mojave]

Im lost Sean. I would like to understand though because your way sounds easier. Not sure what you mean by the empty pack.

[moominsean]

The plastic pack that holds the film. When it is empty, rip off the end that the film spits out of. You can slide your print back in and it keeps the print off the scanner glass! I'll try to remember to post a pic tomorrow.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Sean, you mean the metal and plastic film pack, 'cos the print can sit in the little window?  Smart. 

[moominsean]

Yep.

[This-is-damion]

Would agree its either the film or the camera (ha!)

Guess its quite difficult to diagnose as its TIP film...so not very reliable.   Given its the same place every time I would go with the rollers.  But im no expert on TIP so could be the film

[Chalky]

Hi,
just read the part above about the print being blocked, that has happened to me as well and caused issues with the images so I'd day that is the issue.

when using this film I slide a piece of card into the film ejection slot of the sx70 - then look to the side of the camera and make sure the card is not interfering with the cogs that drive the ejection of the film.

good luck :-)

[Mojave]

Sean, that is awesome!!! Im trying that next time.