What is the norm for clip marks on E-6 processing? I got some film back from a new lab and the clip marks were 1/4 inch down from the edge into a most beautiful sky. Would everyone or anyone consider this ok?
Thanks,
Dan
What is the norm for clip marks on E-6 processing? I got some film back from a new lab and the clip marks were 1/4 inch down from the edge into a most beautiful sky. Would everyone or anyone consider this ok?
Thanks,
Dan
You have to remember that the person who clipped your film, did so in complete darkness, and, to ensure that the film didn't drop onto the floor, would have swung the film with one hand into the held open clip by the other hand, until they felt the end of the clip inner being hit by your sheet of film.
The clips and frames I have used, 4 per 4x5 sheet, enable a film to be held centrally, more or less, but there has to be a bit of leeway, otherwise you may find film dropping onto a floor or bench or table, not too bad a problem, or dropping into one of the baths, a really bad problem.
Rotary and tray processing are usually the ways you develop sheet film without any clip marks whatsoever.
So 6mm in, give or take, is reasonably good I would say.
Mick.
I have seen clip marks from some labs. My lab does not!
Better the film is held securely than it slipping off... Photoshop to the rescue.
The lab that I previously used consistently clipped within the image area. The current lab is much better.
So which labs leave no clip marks? No secrets, guys! (hint, mine does).
LJS
Clip marks are the norm. The fact that the marks are often well into the image area is the fault of the engineers and manufacturers who designed and built the processing machines, NOT the lab technicians. You're talking to the hand....
Thanks for the information. It sounds like clip marks are just something that needs to be delt with. Thanks for everyones input.
Dan
Clip marks are the signature of dip'n'dunk processers- the most common type. The alternative would be a lab which uses a roller-transport machine; those are less popular due to the risk of scratching film. There are tradeoffs everywhere...
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