BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Other Image Problems

Sharon

Problems with Some Prints

Several prints (2-5) from an occasional roll of film will show an image only on the top half of the picture. The lower half is black or very dark grey. I checked the negatives, and they show the same thing. The camera was not opened. Could it be the film, Kodak 200? Or the processing, Walmart? All the other pictures have been great. I appreciate any help or suggestions.

To love this question, log in above
July 16, 2004

Nancy Grace Chen

It shouldn't have anything to do with the processing, because the negative is made inside the camera. I don't know what it is, but it probably has something to do with the camera.

To love this comment, log in above
July 17, 2004

Bob Cammarata

Sounds like a flash problem. If you use flash at a shutter speed faster than your camera's recommended sync speed, partial blackening of the image frame will occur. Check your manual to see what the flash sync speed is ... (it's also usually highlighted on the shutter speed dial), and shoot with flash only at that speed or slower.

To love this comment, log in above
July 17, 2004

Scott Pedersen

Could be a flash sync problem if it's an SLR or if it's a compact, it could be that door that covers the lens is not opening completely when you turn the camera on, or your finger is in front of it.

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

Stephen F. Kahrs

One thing that comes to mind is a dangling camera strap, lens cap or finger. This would be more common with viewfinder cameras though because you are not looking through the lens.

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

Phyllis Lowry

You could have shutter problems. I am attaching a picture I took when I first started having shutter problems. Do your prints look like this example? I had to have my shutters replaced. I don't have any idea how this problem happened, because I am very careful loading film in my camera. I had a roll where some prints were great and some looked like the one attached. Good luck.

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

Barbara

If your camera battery is low, your camera and flash may not sync. Have you checked your battery?

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

Sharon

I thank you all for your suggestions. The one about the low battery might have been the problem, as I had changed batteries recently. (I am hoping.) But it could be a problem with the shutters also. I appreciate finally finding this forum to get ideas, as my community is very small with limited resourses. Thanks!

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member

BetterPhoto Member

Contact Gregory LaGrange
Gregory LaGrange's Gallery

I doubt it was the battery if it uses lithium batteries. The dark with the real light area looks like the shutter is hanging up. That picture was taken outside, so if it was merely a flash sync problem, she'd still get an image in the black area.

To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2004

g fgf

fdfg

To love this comment, log in above
July 27, 2004

Robert Lazenby

The problem could be with your shutter, especially if you are using an older Canon EOS camera. One of the cameras I have is an EOS 1000, (Euopean equivalent to the US EOS Rebel), and have this problem with the camera. I believe it has something to do with the film transport system, where a glue substance leaks onto the shutter assembly and causes it to occasionally stick. In my case, the only way to fix it is to replace the shutter assembly

To love this comment, log in above
July 28, 2004

Paul

I had the same problem with my Minolta X700. It turns out that some of the bearings had dried out because of the AZ heat and the film was not advancing correctly. They cleaned and serviced the camera and it works great.

To love this comment, log in above
July 29, 2004

This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread