Antistatic brush recommendation

[StefantheHun]

When checking my 4x5 and 8x10 B+W negatives on a light table (after taking them out of their cellophane envelopes) with an 8x loupe, I was amazed by the amount of fibrous and particulate dust I saw on the film surface.

Apart from my hand operated rocket air blower I am considering the use of an antistatic brush.

On the internet I found camel hair cpm (Dallas, Texas) and Kinetronic StaticWisk brushes. A textbook recommends cosmetic goat hair brushes.

What size and type of antistatic brush do you recommend for cleaning 4x5 and 8x10 film surfaces?

 

[Alan9940]

I use a Kostiner AntiStatic brush to wipe down my 4x5 and 8x10 holders prior to loading film. I've had this brush for so long it's probably not around anymore. The equivalent would probably be the Kinetronic brush you mentioned.

I use an electric static brush (sold by Zone VI Studios many years ago) on my 4x5 and 8x10 negatives when printing in the darkroom.

 

[analogwisdom]

It's worth noting that anti-static brushes don't get rid of existing static, they are for brushing without creating additional static charge.

a cheap "hack" I adapted from my vinyl record hobby that works great is using a plasma lighter to negate static charge: https://www.amazon.com/RONXS-Lighter-Rechargeable-Electric-Candle/dp/B07FFWCWNG

The lighter isn't used close enough to cause problems, you just hover it over the film while holding the button down. I use a rocket air blaster afterward. It sounds silly, but it works.

There's a video of someone using the lighter on vinyl records and reliably measuring a reduction in static charge.

 

[Franswa]

I use a Kinetronic 1.25" brush, as I had acquired it before I started shooting large format.

 

[choiliefan]

I have an old Staticmaster who's radioactive part expired fifteen years ago.

 

[Bill Burk]

I have an old Staticmaster who's radioactive part expired fifteen years ago.

The brush may still be useful but static dissipation no longer occurs. I like the static plasma lighter idea, got one laying around. Maybe Jerry rig something that will function like a Kodak Electrostatic brush without the vintage cost

 

[choiliefan]

This is the first I've heard of these lighters.
Very interesting.

 

[Pieter12]

There is the Aerostat gun for vinyl records, might prove useful. I use a Kinetronics brush and an electric blower. Sometimes I reach for a PecPad if the dust spot is stubborn.

 

[Bill Burk]

There is the Aerostat gun for vinyl records, might prove useful. I use a Kinetronics brush and an electric blower. Sometimes I reach for a PecPad if the dust spot is stubborn.

Those are rare and expensive

 

[Pieter12]

Those are rare and expensive

Autocorrect decide it was the Aerostat, I had typed Zerostat. I don't think they are rare nor terribly expensive: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-txp0M...DIWPU0QCCDG3pExAw8cEX3A2ObXDrhWRoCnrQQAvD_BwE

 

[analogwisdom]

This is the first I've heard of these lighters.
Very interesting.

I have had to fight dust less in scans since I started using it. I also noticed a pretty dramatic reduction in surface noise on my vinyl. If you live somewhere fairly humid, YMMV. My house is dry and dusty, and I shock myself every time I touch a doorknob.

The brush may still be useful but static dissipation no longer occurs. I like the static plasma lighter idea, got one laying around. Maybe Jerry rig something that will function like a Kodak Electrostatic brush without the vintage cost

I've also found that using a lighter that has been used to light candles (or other things) isn't as effective. I have no idea why, perhaps the residue reduces the efficiency of generating ions.




Here's the video I mentioned before.

 

[StefantheHun]

Thank you for your valuable input - I never heard of the plasma!

Do you also wear antistatic gloves? I‘m underenthousiastic in this respect.

 

[StefantheHun]

While Kinetronic products are quite expensive here in Germany, you can also order them directly from Kinetronic‘s German online shop - if you have some kind of business and a registered Ust-ID number that you need to fill in when ordering.