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**Cerebum** · 02-27-2022, 05:56 AM

I have a Zeiss ikoflex TLR that requires you to use the frame numbers in the red window. I shot some foma200 and it was fine so I thought I would treat it to some delta. The numbers were illegible so I rolled it to the end and tried some Rollei rpx100. It was the same. Is it really too hard for film manufacturers to use a bold font! Now, can anyone recommend 120 film that has a nice BOLD font?

**Eric Auer** · 02-27-2022, 08:13 AM

Foma is by far the best at this, what I mostly use for my folders.

Ilford and Kodak is pretty terrible. Some cameras have lighter shades of red and even orange, but light leaks can happen easier there of course.

Shanghai GP3 is nice too, and a good film.

Foma 200:

City Frame-336 by Eric Auer, on Flickr

Foma 100:

City Frame-326 by Eric Auer, on Flickr

Kobayashi.K · 02-27-2022, 08:13 AM

There were problems with the backing paper for several years, with the print appearing on the film. There are only one or two manufacturers for this paper so a number of brands suffered from this issue. It could be that one of the things they changed was the print to prevent the ink is passed on to the film. This issue was extensively covered on Photrio but it will be looking for a needle in a hay stack to find specifics.

**Cerebum** · 02-27-2022, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by Kobayashi.K

There were problems with the backing paper for several years, with the print appearing on the film. There are only one or two manufacturers for this paper so a number of brands suffered from this issue. It could be that one of the things they changed was the print to prevent the ink is passed on to the film. This issue was extensively covered on Photrio but it will be looking for a needle in a hay stack to find specifics.

I managed to find that thread. Interesting reading

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-27-2022, 11:36 AM

Fortunately many later roll film cameras incorporate frame counters.

On my late-1950's Sawyer's Mark IV 127 TLR only frame one needs to be
lined up via the red window; after that the built-in frame counter is used.

Chris

**fs999** · 02-28-2022, 07:40 AM

Rollei R3 has bold markings, I think it was rolled by Efke (green paper).
I had my first R3 defective film, top part (1/2 cm) of the beginning shots was scratched and a big finger print (with emulsion removal) in the middle of the last shot...

**Cerebum** · 02-28-2022, 08:29 AM

The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear

**ChrisPlatt** · 02-28-2022, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear

Good work. I've heard toothpaste works on scratched CDs/DVDs as well.

Chris

**Viking42** · 02-28-2022, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Cerebum

The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear

Great tip! Who knew that was even possible on these red windows. Nice one! I will keep that in mind.

02-27-2022, 05:56 AM	#1
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Film numbers/red windows I have a Zeiss ikoflex TLR that requires you to use the frame numbers in the red window. I shot some foma200 and it was fine so I thought I would treat it to some delta. The numbers were illegible so I rolled it to the end and tried some Rollei rpx100. It was the same. Is it really too hard for film manufacturers to use a bold font! Now, can anyone recommend 120 film that has a nice BOLD font?

02-28-2022, 09:16 AM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Mild abrasive Originally posted by Cerebum The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear Good work. I've heard toothpaste works on scratched CDs/DVDs as well. Chris

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02-27-2022, 08:13 AM	#2
Eric Auer Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,211	Foma is by far the best at this, what I mostly use for my folders. Ilford and Kodak is pretty terrible. Some cameras have lighter shades of red and even orange, but light leaks can happen easier there of course. Shanghai GP3 is nice too, and a good film. Foma 200: City Frame-336 by Eric Auer, on Flickr Foma 100: City Frame-326 by Eric Auer, on Flickr

02-27-2022, 08:13 AM	#3
Kobayashi.K Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 716	There were problems with the backing paper for several years, with the print appearing on the film. There are only one or two manufacturers for this paper so a number of brands suffered from this issue. It could be that one of the things they changed was the print to prevent the ink is passed on to the film. This issue was extensively covered on Photrio but it will be looking for a needle in a hay stack to find specifics.

02-27-2022, 09:20 AM	#4
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kobayashi.K There were problems with the backing paper for several years, with the print appearing on the film. There are only one or two manufacturers for this paper so a number of brands suffered from this issue. It could be that one of the things they changed was the print to prevent the ink is passed on to the film. This issue was extensively covered on Photrio but it will be looking for a needle in a hay stack to find specifics. I managed to find that thread. Interesting reading

02-27-2022, 11:36 AM	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Fortunately many later roll film cameras incorporate frame counters. On my late-1950's Sawyer's Mark IV 127 TLR only frame one needs to be lined up via the red window; after that the built-in frame counter is used. Chris

02-28-2022, 07:40 AM	#6
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,650	Rollei R3 has bold markings, I think it was rolled by Efke (green paper). I had my first R3 defective film, top part (1/2 cm) of the beginning shots was scratched and a big finger print (with emulsion removal) in the middle of the last shot...

02-28-2022, 08:29 AM	#7
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829 Original Poster	The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear

02-28-2022, 01:53 PM	#9
Viking42 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Caledon, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 504	Originally posted by Cerebum The toothpaste trick on the red screen helped a lot. It may take me a while to remove the paste from the corners but it is now both minty fresh and quite clear Great tip! Who knew that was even possible on these red windows. Nice one! I will keep that in mind.

Film numbers/red windows

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