Weird streaks on my negs...

[drg]

Static was one thing I really considered but discarded quickly knowing quite a bit about the shooting conditions. Static almost always creates 'a pattern' and isn't stopped by the edge of the frame mask. Megan was shooting a camera that doesn't move the film fast enough to produce static under probably any circumstances. Cracking emulsion of course is not stopped at some artificial 'edge' either.

The kind of film will play a big role in such phenomena. The polyester film base of 'modern' film is very likely to create an added opportunity for static to occur especially in gated systems or entering or leaving 'cartridges' or magazines that have those light gates/seals that look like felt. Again, this doesn't apply under this set of circumstances.

Movie cameras are notorious for producing this if not operated correctly because of the steady (hopefully) film speed and the transport mechanisms. Combined with the gate action in close proximity, but not touching, to the film static is not that uncommon. Grounding is the obvious key solution.

I have shot a lot of film in the exact location and identical environment using very high speed film advance and sheet film. The Dew Points are regularly way below -2 (if you are calculating in Celsius) and I only know of one particularly horrid occasion that static occurred with a still camera. Different time of year and different conditions when it might have happened I still rarely have ever heard of it or seen it shooting stills.

I have frozen film in camera to the point it ripped. When 'saving' the remainder with hand processing, all kinds of funny little marks have appeared that with a microscope are obviously indications of damaging to the physical structure.

Knowing the weather, the camera, and the conditions, I'm going with freezing or temp related/transport damage. If Megan has some more images that show a different image it could be static and if so I want to see them as they are unusual but can be cool in the type of work she does regularly.

[Wild Wassa]

Thank you for correcting me.

I'm sorry to have confused the issue.

I'm very pleased that you are the only person here who is experienced enough in understanding what actually happens in photography.

You are very helpful in correcting my postings, for that I'll be forever thankful. My thoughts only come from a couple of decades of practice wisdom from making my living as a scientific and industrial photographer ... I haven't always been a sailor.

Warren.