Scotch Tape yields pinholes

["Rolland Elliott" <rolland_elliott@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Clear Scotch Tape that is applied to infrared film's emulsion side ( in 
darkness) and then removed causes pin holes. I know from bulk loading 35mm 
infrared film into 35mm casettes. Ocassionally, I won't line up the film 
correctly and will have to reposition it by removing and reapplying the 
scotch tape. The resulting negatives always exhibit pinholes where the tape 
was repositioned.

The tape causes pinholes by either
1.  Lifting off small particles of the emulsion
2.  Generating static electricity
3.  A combination of the above two reasons (or maybe something else)

If point 1 above is true, then that means the emulsion is really sensitive  
& prone to damage and it easy to see how rough handling of the film and even 
transporting the film through the rollers in a camera could cause pinholes.

If point 2 above is true, then one should spray the inside of their camera 
with an anti-static agent. In today's motorized wiz bang cameras static 
electricity could easily be created. All scotch tape emits static 
electricity in very small amounts when it is repositioned ; it is usually 
only visible in complete darkeness. Even in complete darkness one must allow 
their eyes to adjust for 5 to 10 minutes before the phenomenon is visible.

If point 3 above is correct than we have the worst case scenario. Obviously 
there could be other reasons for pinholes, but scotch tape removal is 
deffinetely one of them.

A test of the above could easily be done by applying scothch tape to both 
emulsion and base sides and then removing it. Afterwards the film could be 
exposed and developed as normal.  Just haven't gotten around to doing it 
yet, as I have been shooting HIE slides or medium format lately.

I know most people think static electricity would cause dark spots not 
pinholes, but the empiracle results suggest otherwise.

Peace Rolland








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