Cleaning negatives

[Hughjb]

I shoot 4x5 and medium format TX film, and develop my own using a JOBO setup.

Last part of the developing process consist of a 30 sec Photflo cleaning cycle, after which I hang the film. Sometimes I just tun water through it.

Once the negs are dry I scan the negs and go from there.

I'm satisfied with the quality of the negs, but I still end up with some spots on the negs, hence this post.

Can someone recommend a good neg cleaning solution that I can use prior to placing the negs on the scanner.

I use a Nikon 9000 scaner BTW.

Thanks

Hugh

 

[bwakel]

I use Fotospeed film cleaner that seems to work OK.

Barry

 

[Neal]

Dear Hugh,

Check this out: Dead Link Removed

A nice article on using it in a recent Photo Techniques magazine.

Neal Wydra

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

If it's spots as in fingerprints and gunk, I use PEC-12 Dead Link Removed and PEC-Pads

If it's spots as in flecks or dust then I use a dust brush followed by canned air. Dust that sticks
to the negative is removed with a 'flat wash' water-color brush http://www.dickblick.com/zz058/46a/#mainphoto

If it's spots as in drying spots they sometimes come out with PEC, sometimes a rewash/rinse
is needed.

 

[Philippe-Georges]

I found this on the AZO Forum (very good forum BTW!), thanks to Mr Grenier :

Good luck,

Philippe

 

[Hughjb]

Thank you very much for your input

 

[Claire Senft]

I use to use pec cleaner. I bought a pint at $55.00. Since then I have been using a film cleaner available from techcheminc.com It is 21.00 per pint. The pec came in a can. The cleaner would cause exterior rusting on the can. The techcheminc cleaner comes is sold in a screw top bottle with both screw top and bottle made of plastic. No more rusting problems. I still use the PEC pads.

 

[Markok765]

I use Kodak film cleaner. I think it comes in a glass bottle, though I havent needed to use it in a while.

 

[applesanity]

I dunk the film into PhotoFlo (again), agitate it a bit and finger-squeegee to remove excess liquid, then hang dry in a mistrel or film dryer for about 5-10 minutes.

How are you drying your film?