8mm Forum: Should non-printed parts of a Super 8 film always be completely clear?

This is topic Should non-printed parts of a Super 8 film always be completely clear? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on June 26, 2010, 12:24 PM:

I wondered if anyone with lab experience or in-depth knowledge could answer this? I recently received a film that I examined by holding up to the light. It worried me a bit because it was one of those films that have a slight tint (yellow in this case) throughout the leader (which is a few feet before you even reach the printed countdown section) and you can also see it extend into the area visible between the sprocket holes. Obviously, most Super 8 prints are completely clear in these areas, so is it a bad sign if they are not, meaning that the tint could damage the colour balance of the film? Or is it possible that (eg) the lab decided that the negative needed some adjustment and the added yellow was the result? But why would this include what would normally be completely blank areas?

Posted by Patrick Walsh (Member # 637) on June 26, 2010, 08:05 PM:

I have several 16mm features like this with yellow down the perf side of the film, the colour is fine on the films, never seen it on super 8 though.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on June 29, 2010, 05:39 PM:

I used to wonder about the yellow tint on the clear section of the film leader, but actually some of my best prints (in terms of colors) have the yellow tint on the leaders, so I would say no, it doesnt hurt the print.

I've even had some older prints, where the leaders have a pink tint, and I think, "Oh, this one's faded". But, upon examination, the print is still very good.

James.

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