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I would like to hear some comments on double taping film. Is it better to tape both sides of film leaders and tail-pieces, or should only one side be done?

Making splices with tape on only one side of the film is BAD PRACTICE. The splices are much more likely to stretch or fold up during projection, causing a jam.

Even leaders should be reattached with splicing tape on BOTH sides. The next guy may be running reel-to-reel, and not notice the single side splices, causing a jam when they fold up.

It is preferred that you carefully remove the tape from the film when undoing a previously made splice, rather than cutting out the spliced frames. Lost frame quickly add up, causing a distracting loss of continuity at the reel changes.

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
EI Worldwide Technical Services
Research Labs, Building 69
Eastman Kodak Company
Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Telephone: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Bingo! Tape is cheap, brainwraps, jams and refunds cost money. John is definitely right about film folds.What would you do if the tape didn't adhere to the surface of the film, because of an oily surface or such?

I used to work for a wholesale photofinishing lab that used to splice only one side of the film. Needless to say, I refused to operate the cine until it was corrected. They even did this on the pro work 120-220 formats. Ouch.

There are other ways to save money. Heck, cut back on your syrup on your soda dispenser!!!