camera cleaning

[becomedeath]

I own a Beaulieu 4008 ZM4. I recently shot a test run on it with a roll of K40. I own a small projector and it works enough to get an image off of. The problem is that each frame has a rather large black mark on the top-center of it, right near the frame line. I've taken the camera apart, atleast the lens, and cleaned everything to my ability but am not sure whether or not I have fixed the problem. I could always purchase another roll of reversal, which would be fun but expensive, especially if I find out that I didn't fix the problem, or is there a more traditional way of cleaning super 8 cameras, like taking it to a local camera shop? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thank you,
tayman strahorn

------------------

[rollemfilm]

i have had this same problem occur. it's very likely the film cart. or, it could be your projector. shoot some test rolls. use a different projector if you can. also, clean your camera with compressed air. i had the problem on 2 or 3 rolls and then it never happened again. could be processing. try shooting some other film also, like some black and white. and buy from a different source so you don't buy from the same batch. these things happen, it's all part of film shooting.

------------------

[kbrady]

I had the same thing happen. It was done at the film processor (not Kodak, the other guy). It was only on the carts I sent to him. I eliminated the camera and projector as problems by shooting/projecting other film as a test, and processing at Kodak. I plan to "remove" the mark from the DV transfer footage via the filmstrip/cloning tools in Photoshop. You can also remove other imperfections from frames that way too if you don't mind the time involved.

KBrady

------------------