>In article <326E9AB0.6E08@compuserve.com>, Simon Figures <106025.2372@compuserve.com> wrote:

>>I've had some problems with something scratching film in my F90.
>>The scratches, which appear as a transparent line in the same position
>>alongthe whole length of the film, are on the back of the film i.e.
>>the side from which the rebate text appears reversed. I assumed
>>(correctly?) that this meant the pressure plate was causing the
>>problems and carefully cleaned it, and the whole inside, with a soft
>>cloth and compressed air. Unfortunately with no success. As I do travel >>photography I have little opportunity to check for scratches between >>expeditions. Can anyone suggest what is causing the problem and whether
>>the F90 is less resistant to dust etc than, say the F3 (which I used to
>>have and never had trouble with).

Scratches like those you describe (on the base side of the film) can
be caused by the pressure plate, by the cartridge light trap, and by processing equipment. If the scratches are not always in the same
location, I doubt that the pressure plate is the cause. If they are
always in the same location, it is probably the pressure plate (easily
and cheaply replaced - call 1-800-NIKONUS for the number of the parts
dept [it was under $5 to replace a scratching pressure plate in a new
F3 {I could not locate the rough spot on the plate, but replacing it
solved the problem}]). BTW, processors are fond of denying blame, when
it is clearly their fault (when the scratches are not parallel to the
film edges, and when no scratches appear on film that I process),
though with factory-rolled film, I occasionally do find a scratch
caused by the cartridge light trap. Pre-rolled film also often shows
multiple parallel scratches at the very end of the roll, so I reshoot
the last frame on a roll, when possible.
BTW, another problem can arise to cause serious trouble when shooting
many rolls before checking any processed film: a hair can be present
inside the mirror box near the shutter, causing a shadow. It is a good
idea to check for this, which you can do by removing the lens, advancing
the film, releasing the shutter on "B", and (while continuing to hold
the shutter open - a locking release is very handy here...), open the
camera back and look through the opening for hairs in the mirror box.
Be careful not to stick anything in the path of the shutter, in case it
closes unexpectedly.
Hope This Helps