Earl Grey Blues

[Toffle]

I made the mistake of picking up some (over-priced) Lomography Earl Grey 120 film at that hipster store in a Detroit mall. I can't remember when the last time was that I found 120 film at a mall, so I opened my wallet with the thought that I was bleeding a little for the overall film community.

It's Lomo film, so I loaded it into my Holga and used up my three rolls. Now, I happen to have one of those Holgas that do not leak light. In addition, I have added a heavy black flap to cover the film counter hole - I only lift it when I am advancing my film. There should be no possibility of light contamination, but I processed the first two rolls yesterday and I can clearly see every printed marking on the backing paper exposed on the film. I am assuming this happened in the camera and not in their production line, but I have no frame of reference for how else it could happen. This never happens with Ilford or Kodak films, so I had recently begun to think of my extra protection over the film counter to be over-kill for a non-existent problem. What bugs me is that this is a film that is specifically marketed for the Holga crowd, and if it is indeed a failure of the backing paper, then it is very poor business indeed.

I have no question, and there really isn't much that bears discussion here, (unless anyone else wants to chime in) but I just wanted to vent about my wasted time, money and effort.

Cheers,
Tom

[EASmithV]

I have had similar issues with Arista EDU 400. Sometimes I get burnt in numbers, or strange artifacts. It's so cheap, though, it's the best for general film burning or testing cameras.

[FredW]

I have used Ilford, Kodak, and Fuji film in Holga's without covering the red window and have never had an issue.

[vpwphoto]

The backing paper is not opaque enough. Bummer... I'd say something to Lomo about it. I don't think that "flaw" is acceptable.

[Athiril]

I have used Ilford, Kodak, and Fuji film in Holga's without covering the red window and have never had an issue.

I've had it when pushing Shanghai GP3 past 800, so wondering what OP's developing time is?

[ME Super]

If you've had the same problem with Arista EDU as you do with the Earl Grey, maybe the films are the same manufacturer. I've heard the Arista EDU is Foma film.

All this talk of Earl Grey is making me thirsty. I like my Earl Grey in a cup, hot, with sugar, not in a camera

[Toffle]

I've had it when pushing Shanghai GP3 past 800, so wondering what OP's developing time is?

I exposed the film at box speed (100) and processed it in HC-110 for 6:30 as per the Massive Dev Chart App. I won't be buying this again, so I'm not all that upset over the issue. I do feel a little ripped off, though because I bought this over-priced crap just to support the idea of analog products in an increasingly digital age.

Live and learn.

Cheers,
Tom

[Vaughn]

I have had it happen with out-dated Tech Pan in a Diana camera. Only time it has happened.

Too bad Alex was not actually 16 at the time...it would have been perfect!

[Nicholas Lindan]

It's not light coming through the backing paper but the ink on the backing paper affecting the emulsion of the wrap of film above.

This has recently been discussed: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/1...exposures.html

Kodak needs your support and they make the world's best film, bar none - why not buy their film?

Lomography only sells crap film because they buy it for nothing and can sell it at outrageous prices to fools who don't know better. Pretty soon the numbers on the negative will be 'hipster cool'.

[Toffle]

It's not light coming through the backing paper but the ink on the backing paper affecting the emulsion of the wrap of film above.

This has recently been discussed: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/1...exposures.html

Kodak needs your support and they make the world's best film, bar none - why not buy their film?

Lomography only sells crap film because they buy it for nothing and can sell it at outrageous prices to fools who don't know better. Pretty soon the numbers on the negative will be 'hipster cool'.

This makes sense now that I think of it. The markings are over the entire film and not just where the viewing port is.

As for supporting Kodak, Nicholas, I have been doing the picture-a-day challenge since January 1, 2010... the majority on Kodak films. Forgive a guy for making an impulse buy to experiment with a new film. Preach to someone else, please.