Chamois Substitute

Kilgallb · Apr 9, 2016

What is the best type of sponge to replace the now unavailable Kodak Film chamois? Is an artist chamois, the one used with charcoal, safe for film.

Bill Burk · Apr 10, 2016

Hi Kilgallb,

I wouldn't think anything is safe for wiping film before hanging to dry, tonight as always, I hang my film wet after sliding it through some dilute PhotoFlo.

Maybe @Katherine J Gillis would know the answer to your question. I imagine in her work she has some favorite materials she uses to clean film for retouching, or for wiping some dye or pencil marks.

Sirius Glass · Apr 10, 2016

I rinse the film in PhotoFlo and hang to dry without wiping or using a squeegee.

CropDusterMan · Apr 10, 2016

I use distilled water and Formularies version of Photoflo...never have a spot...simply
hand to dry.

Ian Grant · Apr 10, 2016

I've used kitchen paper toweling and run the back of 35mm over it, never had a problem. I used to have a piece of chamois and used that previously, it must be still around somewhere.

Ian

Patrick Robert James · Apr 10, 2016

I do the same as Ian. Bounty paper towel on the back of 35 and 120. Never had a problem. Just use a light touch. Eliminates the need for PhotoFlo or LFN. Keeps it simple.

Ian Grant · Apr 10, 2016

Patrick Robert James said:
I do the same as Ian. Bounty paper towel on the back of 35 and 120. Never had a problem. Just use a light touch. Eliminates the need for PhotoFlo or LFN. Keeps it simple.

I don't do the same with 120 it has an anti curl gelatin coating on the back and it could damage it.

Ian

Gerald C Koch · Apr 10, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
I rinse the film in PhotoFlo and hang to dry without wiping or using a squeegee.

+1

Avoid any physical contact with film until it has dried. Occasionally I would use a photo grade sponge used VERY lightly.

Patrick Robert James · Apr 10, 2016

Ian Grant said:
I don't do the same with 120 it has an anti curl gelatin coating on the back and it could damage it.

Ian

That is the first time I have heard that in all the years I have done photography. What films are you talking about? All 120 films? I have never had a single problem. Curious to know.

RobC · Apr 10, 2016

goat or sheep or other mountain deer skin

tokam · Apr 11, 2016

I am also reluctant to wipe wet film. I just don't do it.

If you are feeling brave you can give the film a light whip once or twice after you have pinned it to the upper film clip. This gets rid of all of the larger drops of water from the non-emulsion side which is where water spots usually occur. Just make sure that you film is held securely in the upper clip and you will be left with tiny drops of water which evaporate without trace. With Photoflo - just two drops is plenty in a full patterson tank of water with your film on the reel.

Ian Grant · Apr 11, 2016

Patrick Robert James said:
That is the first time I have heard that in all the years I have done photography. What films are you talking about? All 120 films? I have never had a single problem. Curious to know.

Most 120 films have an anti curl coating on the rear. The rear coating can also reticulate like the emulsion side in extreme conditions.

Ian

DREW WILEY · Apr 11, 2016

I've got one of those genuine Kodak film chamois, along with all kinds of synthetic chamois, microfiber and lens cloths of every description, etc.
And I would never ever ever use ANY of them to dry off processed film !!!!!!!!!!!!! With film that is fully dry I often use a dedicated film cleaner
like PEC and a lint-free microfiber lens cloth, but never to dry a fresh emulsion. Distilled water, photoflo or equivalent, and air drying.

Chamois Substitute

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