Can i use scanner mounting gel on T-Max 100 negative?

[sperera]

I have a tube of Policrom Screens POLIGEL (similar to the Kami mounting gel) to mount film on my drum scanner.....can i use it for T-Max 100 and all other B+W negative film cos I ony hear mention of slide film when using mounting gels and oils etc. Can I thus use the procedure of using the mounting film (or foil) and applying gel to both sides of the negative and sandwiching it between the aforementioned mounting film?

 

[Bruce Watson]

I have a tube of Policrom Screens POLIGEL (similar to the Kami mounting gel) to mount film on my drum scanner.....can i use it for T-Max 100 and all other B+W negative film cos I ony hear mention of slide film when using mounting gels and oils etc. Can I thus use the procedure of using the mounting film (or foil) and applying gel to both sides of the negative and sandwiching it between the aforementioned mounting film?

Film is film, if you can safely use a product on slide film, you can usually use it safely on color negative or B&W. Modern films that is. I have no idea what happens to film that has an older acetate or nitrocellulose substrate in the presence of drum scanner fluids.

The thicker mounting gels aren't really intended for the service you propose however. IIRC, they are really intended to be used between the film and the drum, with the film taped to the drum, and no overlay. For medium levels of enlargement, say up to about 6x.

Typically you'll find a lighter weight Anti-Newton fluid (Naptha based usually) for mounting film to a drum under an optically clear mylar sheet, where the fluid goes on both sides of the film and the film is often not taped to the drum at all -- the overlay holds it in place. SDS makes such a fluid, as does Kami and I think Lumina. Not sure what exactly the Lumina fluid is though as I've never come across an MSDS for it.

 

[lenny]

(similar to the Kami mounting gel) to mount film on my drum scanner.....

Kami is not a gel at all, it is quite "liquidy" and requires no cleanup at all. You just wave the neg in the air a couple of times and it evaporates. Very convenient when comparing to gels and oils.

Lenny

 

[sperera]

Kami is not a gel at all, it is quite "liquidy" and requires no cleanup at all. You just wave the neg in the air a couple of times and it evaporates. Very convenient when comparing to gels and oils.

Lenny

great news...thanks guys!

 

[imazursky]

Hi guys,
The screen poligel is very similar to the Prazio Montage Gel. I even have 3 or 4 tubes of the screen gel floating around the shop.
I used to use the Prazio Montage Gel and it was very effective for extremely damaged film. Although it was a royal pain to clean up.
The Prazio Anti Newton Oil was not as effective as Kami but i still use it on occasion if the film im scanning has pencil or pen retouching on it.

A few tips for gel mounting that i learned. You need to use more pressure to remove the air bubbles since the gel is much thicker then oil.
I ran a small bead of gel on the edge of the film that faces the roller (top and bottom of the film). You will get a feel for how much to use after a while.
Cleanup is the hardest part. I found that Anchor Film Kleen works well as does the Prazio film cleaner.

I finally gave up using the gel because of the cleanup time and went with Kami. Kami is one of the best fluids for drum scanning and I use it for 99% of our drum scans.
The best way i have found to apply Kami is to place it in a small spray bottle like a Pec 12 spray bottle (cleaned well).
Do not use the cheap ones that you find at the 99c store. Kami dissolves the O Rings, within a few days the sprayer is done for.

Regarding older films, Kami has no detrimental effects that i can see. I have scanned negatives from the 40's and they came out fine.
I think gel might be worse for them because of the cleanup effort. I do have some old Kodak Nitro Cellulose 4x5 stock that still shoots ok.
One day i have to try to scan it. And yes it does burn fast!!

 

[sperera]

This has been helpful cos now i feel better about myself....I use the Poligel and it was a disaster.....i used too much I think and the gel showed in the scans and then to clean it off wow....what a mess....ended up rewashing the negatives and now they're not as great as they were.....I think i will wash again.....anyway....Im gonna get hold of the Kami cos it sounds like what I need...the Poligel is way too much hassle and I couldn't get the gel to spread well.....even though it was only the first time Id done it I KNOW i will get on better with the Kami.....

can you tell me exactly the Kami product to get?

 

[imazursky]

The Kami product is called "Kami Scanner Mounting Fluid" SMF for short.
I dont know where you are located but there are a few mail order places and I have a bunch of suppliers that i work with. I can refer you onto them if you would like.
You will also need the "Kami Film Cleaner" and "Kami Drum Cleaner".
I personally dont use the drum and film cleaner but they are very effective. Especially for the newcomer.

Just remember that these are all potentially flammable products and you should take proper precautions.
They are not easily ignited but a good static discharge can make it go. So dont wear a wool sweater!
I wrote a few interesting posts on the life and times of a drum scanner operator on the ULF users group.
One of the posts dealt with a colleague who managed to burn all the hair off his arms while cleaning the inside of a drum.
Btw, i dont mean to scare anyone but ive been doing this for a long time and i figure i should put my .02 in.

Best,
Ian