8mm Forum: Identifying 16mm dupe prints

This is topic Identifying 16mm dupe prints in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Tim Hartnell (Member # 4274) on December 01, 2014, 04:35 AM:

Hello all I recently sold a 16mm film to a fellow collector and he told me that the film was a dupe as it has film dye on the sprockets.I am not a expert on films but was wondering if this means that any film I own which has clear sprockets is most certainly an original.I have over 100 features to sell and would want to inform any buyers if they are dupes or originals.
Thanks Tim

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on December 01, 2014, 01:20 PM:

A dupe usually means: a print that, in one way or another originates from a positive projection print and not from a proper negative. A copy of a copy. Dupe prints usually look more grainy and contrasty with blown out highlights and undefined blacks.

Clear sprockets mean: the print is made off a negative. But that negative can be anything: an original camera negative (OCN) or an internegative (IN) made from an interpositive (IP) or simply a negative made off a projection print.

Black sprockets mean: the print is a reversal print. A direct copy from either a 16 or 35mm positive. These are always dupes but sometimes the results can be quite good. For example: Kodachrome prints of IB Technicolor originals.

But sometimes the sprocket area is neither black or clear and this usually signals that someone left on the edge light in the printer...

Posted by Tim Hartnell (Member # 4274) on December 02, 2014, 01:21 PM:

Great information Alexander many thanks for your help.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on December 02, 2014, 02:57 PM:

Some dupe prints which are printed "back-to-back" from a projection positive will have their emulsion on the opposite side from normal. Such prints are produced emulsion to emulsion.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on December 06, 2014, 12:06 PM:

So Tim, don't issue a refund. I don't have a huge amount of 16mm, but I'm pretty sure of the various TV and educational prints I have, FEW have clear edges, and I am certain they would all qualify as "original." Clear edges are no guarantee of anything except being struck on release film from a negative.

I've had a B&W dupe or two with clear edges, by the way.

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