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Cleaning Film Before Developing

bvy

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How might I clean exposed film before developing it? To make a long story short, I got fingerprints on the emulsion, and just noticed that this caused uneven development on the last film I developed. (This "alternative process" requires that I handle the film to place it in the camera; I'll use gloves next time.) The film is Acros 100. Thanks.
 
Just process the film. I do not think that cleaning will make a difference.
 
I am not sure about this so let others confirm this but you may try washing with photoflow solution or isopropyle alcohol (isopropanol) after loading in the tank.

I photoflow has stabilisers in it (?) so that might affect unexposed film. But IPA should be safe if it's lab grade or reagent grade.
 
Kodak says to use 98% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning negatives (fingerprints, etc.). A) I have no clue if that could affect the undeveloped and unfixed emulsion, and B) 98% isopropyl alcohol is not readily avilable (Walgreens only has 91% as the purest, but you can special order it).
 
Seems to be a perfect time to start using a pre-soak, if you aren't already doing so.

In addition, if you have a selection of developer dilutions available to you, I would suggest more dilute developer. All that early soaking should help clean up the situation.
 

Presoaking is bad and normally not necessary try alcohol to remove the grease from finger prints a water presoak might not work.
 
Xmas,
I think your "blanket statement" about a presoak being bad is misleading. There are some developers that require a presoak and some that don't. In my experience I have "NEVER" found a presoak harmful with any of the developers I use. Whether it's needed or not is the question that always seems to pop-up. John W
 
Xmas said:
Presoaking is bad and normally not necessary try alcohol to remove the grease from finger prints a water presoak might not work.
Click to expand...

Well, pre-soaking may not be necessary in many cases, but it is certainly not "bad" in any sense of the word. Even Ilford clarified their position on not recommending a pre-soak. They said that they don't recommend it because it's not needed, but it won't have any negative effect if you decide to pre-soak anyway.

For many applications, a pre-soak is indispensable: before developing batches of sheet film in trays to prevent the sheets from sticking to each other, when using SLIMT or any other pre-treatment before developing, to bring Jobo and other large tanks to processing temperature before developing, etc.

@OP,
If you think oil from your fingers is preventing development (i.e., if the fingerprints on the developed negatives are lighter in density), then a pre-soak in water (a rather long one, I would imagine) may help, but I tend to agree with Xmas about trying alcohol. I've never tried using alcohol as a pre-soak, but see no reason not to give it a try; it will certainly remove the oil from the surface of the negative before development. You may have to follow an alcohol soak with a water soak. You'll have to do the experiments.

If, however, the film emulsion was damaged by handling or exposure to finger oil, then there's nothing a pre-soak will do to help.

Best,

Doremus
 
There are vinyl gloves that may come in handy to avoid fingerprints. I use them all the time when disassembling old cameras.
 
Nitrile gloves
 
I've read that a 2% solution of sodium sulphite as a pre-soak helps remove the anti-halation layer, so perhaps it would also help remove any fingerprints left on the emulsion side.
 
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