Any clever methods for flattening curled 35mm film?

[Gerald C Koch]

I only shoot Eastman Double-X now. Absolutely no curl ever. A pleasure to work with

From previous experience with several other films make sure that the film is completely dry. Just because the emulsion side appears to be dry does not mean it is. Use weighted clips and hang for at least 12 hours.

 

[js98367]

Original poster's summary:

Thanks to everyone for your responses to my problem.

I have learned that good film drying to avoid curling is all about moisture control.

I hang my film in an upstairs shower to dry. Since heat rises, there is much less humidity on the second floor of my home. So, I ran the shower to create steam and humidity, hung my film then closed the door tight to somewhat seal the bathroom. When I returned three hours later, the film had dried with some but significantly LESS curl. It is now good enough to clear the scanner glass and no longer create Newton's rings on my .jpeg's.

In the same way I adjust the proper temperature of my developing solution, I will now begin to adjust the humidity of my film drying area.

It is usually the application of simple remedies that cut through the confusing details to solve the problem.

John near Seattle

 

[henryyjjames]

Any suggestions for film that is curling short-ways?

 

[John Wiegerink]

Any suggestions for film that is curling short-ways?

You mean more like cupping? There was just a thread about Foma films curling.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Any suggestions for film that is curling short-ways?

Put the film in PrintFile pages and then put the pages under a weight.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Any suggestions for film that is curling short-ways?

Emulsion side out at a reel might help for this too. The closer to the centre of the reel, the more effective. You need to leave it there for days. Putting it under weight could also help, but quite frankly I never had a case where this sort of curling was much of a problem. The enlarger carrier, or the scanner's film carrier too care of it.

 

[henryyjjames]

Emulsion side out at a reel might help for this too. The closer to the centre of the reel, the more effective. You need to leave it there for days. Putting it under weight could also help, but quite frankly I never had a case where this sort of curling was much of a problem. The enlarger carrier, or the scanner's film carrier too care of it.

Yea I know it's less common, but I found that expired films sometimes curl intensely. The scanner I have doesn't have a carrier that flattens the negative.