Film Camera Question - Lines On the Negative?

I'm taking a B+W photography class and I'm using a very, very old camera. I just developed my first roll of film, and besides screwing up the development times I noticed that on some frames, there are two distinct bright parallel lines going through the center of the image. It doesn't show up on every shot, and for the ones it does show up on some it's not as prominent as others.

All the shots on the roll were either at 1/500 or 1/1000, so I'm thinking that it's something with the shutter curtains and the opening being near the center of the frame. Other than that I have no idea - what could it be? Is it the shutter? If it is, could it be repaired?

Anyone have any insight to this?

Are these lines always in the same position and orientation?

If they're all identical, then it could be a shutter problem.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #10183639
I'm taking a B+W photography class and I'm using a very, very old camera. I just developed my first roll of film, and besides screwing up the development times I noticed that on some frames, there are two distinct bright parallel lines going through the center of the image. It doesn't show up on every shot, and for the ones it does show up on some it's not as prominent as others.

All the shots on the roll were either at 1/500 or 1/1000, so I'm thinking that it's something with the shutter curtains and the opening being near the center of the frame. Other than that I have no idea - what could it be? Is it the shutter? If it is, could it be repaired?

Anyone have any insight to this?

What camera are you using?

Are the lines parallel to the film or across it?

Describe the lines - what do they look like? How wide are they? Are they uniform width across the image?

If you can, scan a photo and show us what your problem looks like.

Sand or grit is scraping over the film as it is advanced - open the back of the camera (without a film in it) and give it a good clean pref with air.

highway

highway0691 wrote in post #10184712
Sand or grit is scraping over the film as it is advanced - open the back of the camera (without a film in it) and give it a good clean pref with air.

highway

Without having something to look at this is what I was thinking too.

Be careful not to hit the shutter with canned air, though!

HappySnapper90 wrote in post #10184108
Are these lines always in the same position and orientation?

Yes.

bsaber wrote in post #10184411
If they're all identical, then it could be a shutter problem.

Thank you for that.

SkipD wrote in post #10184617
What camera are you using?

Are the lines parallel to the film or across it?

Describe the lines - what do they look like? How wide are they? Are they uniform width across the image?

If you can, scan a photo and show us what your problem looks like.

I'm using an AE-1.

The lines on the film are across it (going from top to bottom).

The lines are simply that - lines. I don't really know how else to describe it. They're bright lines (black on the negative). On the negative I'd say they're maybe 1.5mm wide, I don't have the negatives in front of me (and I don't have access to a scanner right now), but IIRC they might get a little wider in the center.'

I don't think it's dirt or dust stuck in the light trap, because if it was wouldn't the lines go parallel to the film (left to right on the negative)?

It's a shutter problem.

20droger wrote in post #10185435
It's a shutter problem.

So why would that leave lines on the negative as compared to anything else? Why not a bright patch instead of just two lines?

Do you think shooting at slower shutter speeds would negate the problem?

Dark lines on the negative indicate the presence of light. 1.5mm lines on a 36mm wide negative is a significant amount of light. The only way light could normally hit the is through the shutter.

The lines are vertical (across the film). The movement of virtually all focal-plane shutters is vertical (shorter travel allows faster shutter speeds).

This, to me, indicates that there are probably holes in one of the curtains. Such holes appear because the shutter was torn or burned.

I can't think of anything else that would cause that symptom.

20droger wrote in post #10185768
The lines are vertical (across the film). The movement of virtually all focal-plane shutters is vertical (shorter travel allows faster shutter speeds).

This, to me, indicates that there are probably holes in one of the curtains. Such holes appear because the shutter was torn or burned.

That would make sense, except in this case the shutter is horizontal. I see what you mean about holes in the curtains doing that, but if it's a horizontal shutter, why would the lines be vertical?

Not trying to be critical just trying to figure this out.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #10185916
That would make sense, except in this case the shutter is horizontal. I see what you mean about holes in the curtains doing that, but if it's a horizontal shutter, why would the lines be vertical?

Not trying to be critical just trying to figure this out.

Are you sure about the way the shutter travels? In the "olden days", shutters on 35mm film cameras travelled the long way (horizontally), and the opening between the two curtains would have been a vertical slit. A sticky focal plane shutter of the type I have just described could do the vertical over-exposure lines you described.

SkipD wrote in post #10186671
Are you sure about the way the shutter travels? In the "olden days", shutters on 35mm film cameras travelled the long way (horizontally), and the opening between the two curtains would have been a vertical slit. A sticky focal plane shutter of the type I have just described could do the vertical over-exposure lines you described.

Yes, I'm sure the shutter travels horizontally. I'm just unsure why there would be two lines that way, why would the shutter always stick twice?

Are you developing your own film?

Lines on the negatives .. if they run the long way on the roll of film normally come from improper squeegee use or poor quality film canisters. As the film gets pulled into or out of the canister, it can cause lines on the file. Likewise with squeegeeing the film after you develop it before hanging it to dry.

Also, if you are bulk loading your own canisters.. that too could cause a problem with streaks and lines if done improperly.

If you are doing it yourself, improve your technique. If someone else is developing.. find a new lab.