Negative Dark Patches

[Doremus Scudder]

Filmholder testing methods:

Load your holders (with photo paper for economy) and leave them sitting out in the sunlight for a while. Flip them around making sure all the sides/edges get exposed to the sunlight for a while.

Develop those exposures. I usually do tests like this when printing, so even if I used film, I can just toss them in print developer in total darkness for speed/economy. Any light leaks will show up as dark fogging/streaks on the neg (or paper).

If these turn out completely clear (no leaks), then load another holder, place it in the camera in portrait orientation (light-trap end up). Cover the bellows with your dark cloth but leave the light trap side of the holder exposed to the light and make sure the shutter is closed. Carefully pull the slide, making sure that the back doesn't pull away from the camera body. Leave the whole thing exposed to light for a while with the dark slide out. Replace the dark slide and develop and see if there is any fogging.

Hope this helps,

Doremus

[Borris63]

Ok, just doubled checked with my wife and it seems the bellows have a very small pinhole tear on both sides. The images above were taking in a field in bright daylight, so I think I have found my problem. So one final question can you repair bellows or is it best to replace?