Cutting negatives for scanning...what do you use?

Hi all,
First, thank you everyone for such great advice and response on previous posts, I'm learning so much!!

Ok, I have been shooting 120 medium format...various formats. 6x6, 6x9, 6x12 and now even 6x17.

I'm having a lab do them now, but soon, plan to start trying to develop my own.

However, my question is, what do ya'll use to cut negatives out of the rolls you get so you can scan them?

I've been eyeballing it and just using a nice pair of scissors, but sometimes I cut too far one way or another...and wondering if there is a better way....?
A better tool?

Thank you in advance,

cayenne

These are somewhat expensive, and the thumbwheel advance will only work for a while, but they work really, really, really well:
https://www.amazon.com/Matin-Multiple-Slide-Cutter-Format/dp/B00DMR8OII

To take full advantage you need a good bright source of backlight. I use one of these: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00J0UUHPO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yes for 35mm film scissors can be a problem as the frame gaps are very small. I have a very similar device to the one at Amazon that Matt links to. It is a much older Rowi cutter designed primarily for 35mm slides. It has a battery and bulb that creates in effect a very small light table so you can see the edges in a 35mm film but my guillotine sometimes has difficulties with a clean cut especially if I cut through the sprocket holes. It may be that my blade is not as sharp as it should be but I am unsure how to be sure to make it sharper rather than make it less sharp.

New and at $35 you'd expect this not to be a problem. Mine only does 35mm but scissors are fine for any negs bigger I have found

If it isn't fitted with one of the newer LED bulbs then these are well worth getting as the light output way exceeds that of any incandescent bulb that is battery operated.

If you are into film processing for the long term then at $35 this may be a very worthwhile purchase

pentaxuser

pentaxuser said:

If it isn't fitted with one of the newer LED bulbs then these are well worth getting as the light output way exceeds that of any incandescent bulb that is battery operated.

Click to expand...

There is no illumination built into the item linked to - it depends on a separate backlight.

MattKing said:

There is no illumination built into the item linked to - it depends on a separate backlight.

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Thanks Matt I had wrongly read "illumination through light panel as meaning a light under the panel That's a pity there is no interior light

pentaxuser

MattKing said:

These are somewhat expensive, and the thumbwheel advance will only work for a while, but they work really, really, really well:
https://www.amazon.com/Matin-Multiple-Slide-Cutter-Format/dp/B00DMR8OII

Click to expand...

I've heard rambles that they can cause scratches, so the one I bought is still sitting in its package. Then again, I think I've heard that about nearly every option we can stumble across. Its sad, because I really want one of these that's good, doesn't look like a piece of junk, and doesn't have anyone complaining of scratches while using it.

Unlike 35mm, its easy to cut 120 safely between the frames. However, I still struggle to make the cut absolutely straight and perpendicular (which makes loading into scanner holders more annoying).

I have never had to use anything but cheap office scissors. For 35mm or MF.

Large format is a different story!

cayenne said:

Hi all,
but sometimes I cut too far one way or another...

Click to expand...

Are you left-handed, by chance?

For 120, a good pair of scissors (I use 5" embroidery scissors), working over a lightbox, works just fine. And the lightbox doesn't have to be anything fancy.

I cut my negatives from the hanging strip. I hang with the first frame down, so they cut in order (one less complexity in life...). I find if I have a light background I can see the frame gap well enough to use good sharp scissors (5"+ blades as I find it easier to line up longer blades and make one cut) for 120, and the odd 35mm I still use. I don't cut my 4x10 from 8x10 sheets - easier to file and double index the whole sheet.

Practice helps. After a while I just didn't think about it.

dkonigs said:

I've heard rambles that they can cause scratches, so the one I bought is still sitting in its package.

Click to expand...

Scratch free for me, after years of use.
They are particularly good for me, because my right hand lacks the dexterity to either hold the film safely. or accurately use scissors, but is still sufficiently controlled to use the guillotine cutter.

dkonigs said:

Unlike 35mm, its easy to cut 120 safely between the frames.

Click to expand...

Unless you start talking about slide film!

Just plain old kitchen scissors. I don't have any trouble making clean cuts.

cayenne said:

Hi all,
First, thank you everyone for such great advice and response on previous posts, I'm learning so much!!

Ok, I have been shooting 120 medium format...various formats. 6x6, 6x9, 6x12 and now even 6x17.

I'm having a lab do them now, but soon, plan to start trying to develop my own.

However, my question is, what do ya'll use to cut negatives out of the rolls you get so you can scan them?

I've been eyeballing it and just using a nice pair of scissors, but sometimes I cut too far one way or another...and wondering if there is a better way....?
A better tool?

Thank you in advance,

cayenne

Click to expand...

I have my lab cut them 3-3-2-2 for the ten 6x7 shots. They insert them in a plastic sheet that way to protect them. It also keeps them flat. Do not have them ship the whole roll to you rolled up because it will be difficult to scan as they will be curled up. The 3-3-2-2 works well for me because my Epson V600 scanner can handle up to 3 shots at a time. You didn't mention what scanner you had so the cut quantity might vary depending on how your scanner operates.

Pieter12 said:

For 120, a good pair of scissors (I use 5" embroidery scissors), working over a lightbox, works just fine. And the lightbox doesn't have to be anything fancy.

Click to expand...

Exactly the scissors I use. Never a problem unless I'm being careless. I've even done slides with them judging by eye.

Fabric shears. Only I use the bigger ones, so I can cut it all the way through in one cut. They tend to cut better than ordinary scissors or kitchen shears. Tough, don't use the same ones that you cut fabric with. It'll dull them. It's easy. It doesn't require special tools. It works without scratching. I can't imagine doing it any other way unless you cut thousands a day for a living. Then, you might need specialized equipment.