I know this probably a silly question

photolady95 · 10-03-2009, 06:54 AM

but do dings, pit marks, etc, cause white spots on your film?

I think it does, and I think one of my lenses has this problem. I've cleaned the outside of the lens before each shoot. I've cleaned the scanner, there is no dust inside under the glass either. And I've cleaned the film to make sure the dust isn't there either. So, where are the white spots, coming from?

Peter Zack · 10-03-2009, 06:58 AM

Could you show us a sample? If you're saying that the film has marks directly on the surface, that could certainly be the issue. I had a camera that had a little metal spur inside it near the film canister and as film was wound, it would scratch parts of the exposure side. That left lines in the images until it was fixed. Is that the sort of thing you think is happening?

photolady95 · 10-03-2009, 07:12 AM

Sure Peter. Here's one. Though this one isn't as bad as some I get. You can still see the specks of white.

Some of those photos taken that same day, I used a different lens and that shows no spots/specks of white.

davef · 10-03-2009, 06:31 PM

They look like dust spots to me. With film, they are often caused by dust on the film itself, often embedded in the emulsion as it dries. Try taking a rocket blower to the slide/neg prior to scanning. If you really feel it is caused by a lens or body, try a controlled test -- the spots should show up in the same places in the frame if the problem is "mechanical" -- i.e. caused by the lens or body. If they are caused by dust on the film, they'll move around. These used to take hours to correct in a large print. These days they can be fixed rather quickly in Photoshop and most other post processing programs prior to printing. Dave

photolady95 · 10-03-2009, 07:33 PM

This is why I can't figure out if it's the lens or the film. I have used a 50mm, and get no spots. I have a 135mm and using it, I get no spots. But if I use the Sigma 70-300mm I always have spots on my film. To try and elimnate the possibility it's the film, I use Anti-static film cleaner and clean the negatives prior to scanning. Those spots are still there when the photos were shot with the zoom lens.

davef · 10-03-2009, 07:39 PM

If they are in the same place in the frame and it only happens with one lens, then I suspect you have answered your question.... Dave

Peter Zack · 10-03-2009, 07:42 PM

I think Dave has it. Check the location of the spots with the 70-300mm lens. This would also make sense since zooms are more prone to sucking in dust over primes. But you should be able to see the dust in the lens if it's big enough to cause this.

10-03-2009, 06:54 AM	#1
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I know this probably a silly question but do dings, pit marks, etc, cause white spots on your film? I think it does, and I think one of my lenses has this problem. I've cleaned the outside of the lens before each shoot. I've cleaned the scanner, there is no dust inside under the glass either. And I've cleaned the film to make sure the dust isn't there either. So, where are the white spots, coming from?

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10-03-2009, 06:58 AM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Could you show us a sample? If you're saying that the film has marks directly on the surface, that could certainly be the issue. I had a camera that had a little metal spur inside it near the film canister and as film was wound, it would scratch parts of the exposure side. That left lines in the images until it was fixed. Is that the sort of thing you think is happening?

10-03-2009, 07:12 AM	#3
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Sure Peter. Here's one. Though this one isn't as bad as some I get. You can still see the specks of white. Some of those photos taken that same day, I used a different lens and that shows no spots/specks of white.

10-03-2009, 06:31 PM	#4
davef Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 433	They look like dust spots to me. With film, they are often caused by dust on the film itself, often embedded in the emulsion as it dries. Try taking a rocket blower to the slide/neg prior to scanning. If you really feel it is caused by a lens or body, try a controlled test -- the spots should show up in the same places in the frame if the problem is "mechanical" -- i.e. caused by the lens or body. If they are caused by dust on the film, they'll move around. These used to take hours to correct in a large print. These days they can be fixed rather quickly in Photoshop and most other post processing programs prior to printing. Dave

10-03-2009, 07:33 PM	#5
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	This is why I can't figure out if it's the lens or the film. I have used a 50mm, and get no spots. I have a 135mm and using it, I get no spots. But if I use the Sigma 70-300mm I always have spots on my film. To try and elimnate the possibility it's the film, I use Anti-static film cleaner and clean the negatives prior to scanning. Those spots are still there when the photos were shot with the zoom lens.

10-03-2009, 07:39 PM	#6
davef Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 433	If they are in the same place in the frame and it only happens with one lens, then I suspect you have answered your question.... Dave

10-03-2009, 07:42 PM	#7
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I think Dave has it. Check the location of the spots with the 70-300mm lens. This would also make sense since zooms are more prone to sucking in dust over primes. But you should be able to see the dust in the lens if it's big enough to cause this.