Re: [Leica] M6 scratching film

[Kent Jon Peters <KPETERS@huntel.net>]

COLBYG@ULV.EDU wrote:
> 
> Greetings,
> 
>         I've recently endured *exactly* the same problem...
> 
> > I've just noticed that my M6 seems to be leaving some very fine
> > scratches on film. The scratches run lengthwise across the negative...
> > ...they appear on a reasonable proportion of negatives.
> > They don't appear in the same place on the different negatives.
> > The scratches are so fine that I can't see them on a negative with a
> > loupe.  However, they show up on a scan when enlarged.
> 
>         With both bodies loaded with slide film, I tested for the scratches.
> The scratches don't show up under loupes, but in computer scanning. The
> scratches tended to show up about the same place along the film with each test,
> at about the 10-15th frames, mostly, but everywhere else as well.
>         The service technicians I talked with suggested several alternatives.
> Among the most highly regarded here...one suggested that I clean the pressure
> plate with isopropyl alcohol and blow out the camera (with the shutter open and
> the lens removed) with an air can. After doing this I *think* I have the
> problem solved, for now.
>         Even so, one of the two camera bodies was very much harder to rewind
> than the other, making me wonder if the scratching could be coming from within
> the cassette, as the film base rubs the emulsion coiled inside the cassette. I
> sent that body for service.
> 
> -Gary S. Colby
>  colbyg@ulv.edu
- ------------
Don't know if this is related but I had this problem on my old IIIF and
I discovered that if I rewound slower, NO SCRATCHES.  Don't ask me.  I
just printed out some new photos from it tonight and all tack sharp and
no scratches.  perhaps tension against the film plate?  Kent