8mm Forum: VS test strips

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Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on June 17, 2009, 11:25 AM:

Can anyone spare a couple of VS testing strips? I got this fairly warped print that doesn't smell particularly like vinegar, but I still don't trust it. Before I start trying to get the warp out, I'd like to see first if the print is doomed (I hope not, the print is beautiful otherwise).

- Rob

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on June 17, 2009, 03:16 PM:

does it smell more like mothballs?

Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on June 17, 2009, 04:17 PM:

I'm not sure what mothballs smell like....

- Rob

Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on June 17, 2009, 04:52 PM:

Rob, i've got some to spare. What's your address?

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on June 17, 2009, 04:54 PM:

OK that is usually my go to,so....... [Roll Eyes]

Um.....

Let's see is the print really old? Sometimes people mistake the smell of old diacetate film for vinegar (I have actually picked up some real bargains because of that)...It doesn't have that sharp stingy smell of vinegar it is more like something in your Grandma's closet..Other things to check for if the print is triacetate or newer stock would be mold/moisture damage as that would smell different from vinegar.

Posted by Rob Koeling (Member # 35) on June 17, 2009, 05:42 PM:

Stuart, thanks for your offer. I send you an email with my address. (A couple of weeks ago, I watched the print of Solaris that I bought from you a few years ago. Still very pleased with that print!)

Dino, it is not a sharp, stingy smell, but the film is from the mid sixties ('My Blood Runs Cold'), so a bit late for diacetate, me thinks. When I smell the print now, it doesn't really smell of vinegar, but when the print arrived in the mail and I opened the box I smelled this whiff, that flashed 'vinegar' in my head for a split second. Testing it is probably the only way to be sure.
I would hate to loose this print, though. It's a marvelous film! Incredibly crisp B&W and so much detail in this print.

Cheers,

- Rob

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on June 17, 2009, 06:45 PM:

Ah hopefully it is not a vinegar print that has been masked by film cleaner smell, as I am already jealous and would hate to see you lose a cool one like that.., [Big Grin]

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on June 19, 2009, 02:01 PM:

Or...it could be a film treatment smell mistaken for vinegar. I, too, have gotten good bargains from people who claimed the prints were vinegared...but they were not.

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