8mm Forum: orange spots on film???

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Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 19, 2010, 09:31 AM:

I have had this film for a while and have now found a replacement does anybody have an idea what these orange spots are and what might have caused them it was like this when i got it so i know my storage is not to blame

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on October 19, 2010, 09:44 AM:

Jim,

I have a few black & white prints with this problem. The fault is with the lab taking a shortcut during processing. The fix has not been totally removed because of poor washing. The orange/brown spots show up as the print gets older.

Doug

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on October 19, 2010, 10:14 AM:

Will these spots gradually appear in short sections of the film or will they show up it the whole film? Does this happen with LPP on polyester too?

Posted by John W. Black (Member # 1082) on October 19, 2010, 09:22 PM:

Dan,I've never had it happen to a color or polyester film so far.But I have three older B&W prints with the dots.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 19, 2010, 09:25 PM:

The only time I ever saw it was on a Blackhawk B&W print. If I remember right it was throughout the reel.

-What a shame it wasn't a movie about Outer Space: it looks a little bit like the old Star Trek credits!

"Laurel and Hardy: The Final Frontier"

(-talk about your mixed metaphor!)

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on October 19, 2010, 09:42 PM:

If it occurs in just one part of the frame, it could be heat blistering from a mis-aligned xenon light source. This damage is generally confined to a hot-spot where the hottest/brightest part of the lamp was concentrated.

If it is right through the print, then it is likely a processing problem as mentioned above.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on October 20, 2010, 01:25 AM:

I think it is generally processing shortcuts as I see it more often on the cheapy 8mm shorts I have, and a handful of Blackhawks...

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 20, 2010, 10:11 AM:

and it is a blackhawk print it is not through the whole film but parts through out it, thanks for the info. [Smile]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on October 20, 2010, 12:23 PM:

Are the dots worse during dark scenes and title cards like you posted? If so that is most probably heat damage from the projection bulb (for example, running the film too slow). The darker the frame, the more it traps the heat from the bulb.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on October 21, 2010, 04:27 PM:

Nope there is no damage to the film frames the spots may run an inch or so here and there I know what your saying and the film usually gets warped when the frames get burnt, that may have been the case when the person before me had it, but wouldn’t it be the whole film not sporadic like it is now?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on October 21, 2010, 04:55 PM:

Looks quite clearly like oxidation - bad processing - to me. I have a couple prints with this.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on February 21, 2012, 10:02 PM:

I want to bring this up because I am noticing this on an alarming number of B&W prints in my little collection, and just now saw it on a rare and likely irreplacable trailer.

Has anyone ever successfully reversed or halted this process? Or is it a matter of time until the reel becomes an unwatchable storm of orange blotches?

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on February 22, 2012, 01:00 PM:

I have a few with this problem as well, though I personally think it's kind of charming as it passes through the projector ... reproductions of ancient films, now looking even more ancient with this "spot problem" ... cool ...

Now, if these "spot chemicals" can wipe off in the film gate and possibly infect other films, now that wouldn't be cute at all!

I also tend to notice them only at the beginnings and endings of a reel, almost as if they either sped up or slowed down the process as the reels went through the "solutions".

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on February 22, 2012, 01:15 PM:

Bill,
I'm pretty certain it won't progress.
My print hasn't changed over the years.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on February 22, 2012, 03:28 PM:

Michael, it's entirely possible that my eye has improved over the years for recognizing defects (sidebar: debate whether that's a blessing or a curse). However, I'm pretty sure these orange spots have begun to appear only in the past few years. Boy, do I hope I'm wrong and you're right!

Osi, there is a charm to projecting inobtrusive defects, but in this case it wasn't charming. However, I've a few other things I'd still show to an audience in a heartbeat.

Now the film in question has orangy bits all over it, head to tail, though the other ones I've ever seen only had them at the start or end like Osi's. And the orangy bits are either random or attached to wear or scratches.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on February 22, 2012, 04:14 PM:

Looks like a case of "film measles" to me. [Eek!]

Take 2 features and call me in the morning! [Big Grin]

Posted by Bradford A Moore (Member # 426) on February 22, 2012, 05:57 PM:

I recenly cleaned one of my first films from the mid 70's, which was a 50ft headline edition of Bride Of Frankenstien. Since it wasn't propperly stored over the years, and moisture etc got in, it has taken on those similar spots as well. I always thought those spots were only a lab defect too.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on February 23, 2012, 01:35 AM:

Ah, well perhaps I'm mistaken.If it's not a lab defect but rather due to moisture contamination, then I guess it could progress.
The print I have has not changed over the past few years.

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