Curling 120 Film

[lhuhn]

I recently started processing 120 film after a long absence. When I process my 120 film it curls so badly I can't get it to stay in the film holder for scanning. Anyone have any suggestions to reduce the curling?

 

[MattKing]

What type of film are you developing? Some are much more prone to curl than others.

In which direction is it curling? Along the length, or across the width?

Usually, curl problems are related to humidity during the drying stage. A slow dry in moderate humidity tends to give much better results than a quick dry in dry conditions.

 

[canvassy]

I stick film under a book for a while to make it lay flatter.

 

[bence8810]

I reverse roll my films for 24 hours. The diameter of the roll should not be too small otherwise you'll get a reverse curl
I think the diameter of my rolls are 8cm or so and I have a paper ring I just slide around it to hold it firm.
After 24 hours I open it and dedust with a blower / cut and file away for printing later.

Ben

 

[Regular Rod]

I recently started processing 120 film after a long absence. When I process my 120 film it curls so badly I can't get it to stay in the film holder for scanning. Anyone have any suggestions to reduce the curling?

A curl inwards towards the emulsion side is usually due to drying the film with heat. Can you dry your film at a cooler temperature? For the already curled film have you got a piece of anti-Newton Ring glass you can lay on it for scanning?

RR

 

[lhuhn]

I recently started processing 120 film after a long absence. When I process my 120 film it curls so badly I can't get it to stay in the film holder for scanning. Anyone have any suggestions to reduce the curling?

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I am using Ilford HP5 & FP4 and it it curling across the width, not along the length. I do have the wet scan setup for my scanner but the amount of curl is so dramatic that it is difficult to get it to lay down even with this process. The humidity in my darkroom (basement) is about 40-50% typically. I have tried placing it under books after it is get and sleeved, but it doesn't help much.

 

[HiHoSilver]

I had the same issue. The most satisfying method has been to let dry most of the way, hanging vertically w/ bulldog clips on the end. Before thoroughly dry, I load it back onto a film reel, emulsion side out for the rest of the drying. They've stayed flat enough for flatbed scanning this way.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I stick film under a book for a while to make it lay flatter.

That is what I do.

 

[nosmok]

Plus another for the book!

 

[bvy]

Toss the holder. I use a piece of non-glare picture frame glass and place it on top of the film which sits directly on the scanner glass, emulsion side down.

 

[NedL]

+ another for the book.

I get a little curl across the width with acros. I put them in a printfile sleeve page and put it in a heavy book for a week or so. Nice and flat after that.

I keep my negatives in the book until I'm done printing them, then they move into a file box.

 

[davedm]

Another vote for weighted clips actually put 2 or 3. I hang a padlock (~200g) with my 35mm fp4 and it dries very flat.