Ruined b&w film, who's fault?

[PhillipT]

Dropped a roll of Kodak 100iso black and white off at CVS. When I came back an hour later, the result was absolutely no pictures- the entire roll of film was clear except for a frame or two, which were very faint.

What caused this? No way in hell I screwed up 24 times taking photos, I can't imagine setup is wrong (and used a light meter). Is it possible CVS's machine screwed up? Or does the camera possibly have a light-leak (I can't find any evidence of such). If I recall right the only visible frames were the last one, and one towards the middle. Bad film? Wasn't expired...

In short- what causes an entire roll of B&W film to go clear?

Argus C3, never used before.

[texkam]

99% sure they are only set up to process C-41 film. They are supposed to check and hand back anything else. Sounds like they didn't.

[PhillipT]

From what I finally found on the subject, seems you're correct. I guess I need to throw a film development kit onto the xmas list, I'm quite tired of pathetic film processing from everyone now.

[Big Dog]

What film? There is a C-41 B&W film tat a mini lab can process.

[Valerie]

CVS does not do B/W film (nor does WalMart or any other 1 hr place). Developing at home is easy. If you don't already know how, ask around when you get your setup--lots of us here willing to show you how.

[The Philos]

I've got an extra tank and reel if you'd like to use it - you'd just need chemicals.

[KJ Smith]

As Big Dog said, there is C41 B&W.

When you say the film was clear. Were the frame numbers and film name on the edge?

[PhillipT]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

As Big Dog said, there is C41 B&W.

When you say the film was clear. Were the frame numbers and film name on the edge?

Nothing, the entire material was a clear-grey. I didn't look at it close though, I saw the film when she held it up and didn't care much after that to get a good look.

Originally Posted by ThePhilosopher

I've got an extra tank and reel if you'd like to use it - you'd just need chemicals.

That would be great! Give me a PM please. :)

[texkam]

C41 B&W is just not the same as true B&W.

I'm quite tired of pathetic film processing from everyone now.

Once again, if the equipment is regularly and properly maintained, and calibrated it will yield satisfactory results. Because mini labs process so little of it now days if often is not : (

[PhillipT]

Well, Walmart now ships their film to fuji film to be processed. It takes a week, but I was hoping for good results for a digital CD. The prints were generally awesome, most all being very sharp, well colored, and I was pleased. It was the horrific digital transfers that made me angry, most all of them had to be heavily doctored to even be decent. Only one disk (of the 4) had a decent handful.

Among the worst-

(Print is very sharp, well colored and nice contrast)

One of the best-

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by PhillipT

Nothing, the entire material was a clear-grey. I didn't look at it close though, I saw the film when she held it up and didn't care much after that to get a good look.

The reason I asked is that info, frame numbers, film type ect., is pre exposed correctly at the time of manufacture.

So if you have a issue like this, if the frame numbers are there, you screwed up the exposure.

If it is all clear, the process would be the likely issue.

If it was all black, it somehow got exposed to light.

[heespharm]

I say both... The tech should look at the cartridge at the processing And recognized it can't be done and you should have been more careful in your research... If it was c41 kodak then it should have been iso 400 .... But cvs only sells one traditional bw film and that one is trix 400.... (I work for cvs)


I'm lucky tho... My film tech will process c41 in 120 for me even though it's "company policy that we do not process it"

[venchka]

That's a dumb company policy in this day of rapidly disappearing C41 120 film labs. CVS could corner the market. I didn't know that the machines could handle 120. Call the CEO. Make a pitch.

[heespharm]

Well they don't do the greatest job there's a strange pattern of dots that appear ... I have to take home and rewash in stabilizer to get rid off

[tropicpine]

Originally Posted by PhillipT

No way in hell I screwed up 24 times taking photos, I can't imagine setup is wrong (and used a light meter).

Phillip:

I have botched more than a few rolls of film in the past. Every time I did this or made some other mistake I considerd it a lesson to be learned. Due to the sheer number of lessons I have had I find myseld to be fairly well educated.

If you are ever intrested I have the necessary surplus hardware for sale at about half of what it would go for on Adorama.com. (Not a bad place if you want to buy new.)