Cutting negatives into strips.

technowizard12

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I just go with very sharp, very thin scissors. That way, I can see what I'm doing.

You can also use an x-acto and ruler on a cutting mat.
 

MattKing

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perkeleellinen

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Place your negs over a sheet of white paper, make sure there's good light, use a sharp pair of scissors and go slow.
 

wildbill

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I use the dr.t film cutter as well. When I asked the same question (for the same reason) I got the "use scissors and patience" response as well. Labs use a cutter, why shouldn't I. Less errors, especially with frames that are close together on curly film.
 

Poisson Du Jour

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Look for Fiskars shears (with mightily sharp needle points) and do the cut over a bright lightbox. Steady, confident hands will do it. Of course less of a margin for stuff ups when cutting 35mm than 120.

Fiskars can be bought from hobby shops that have stuff for sewing. I have had mine for more than 15 years.



Lab operators are not necessarily deadly accurate, as witnesseth a lab chopping through the last frame of a roll of 120 film! I had plenty to say (none of it repeatable here). I've never cut through or ruined any of my own trannies. Just my fingers...
 

bdial

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The lab type cutters are as accurate as the positioning. If care is taken in that part, they do fine, but so do scissors.
I like to use a cheap Fiskars plastic paper trimmer on a light box. It's overkill but it works nicely, and even tricky situations like too-close negative spacing are easy to deal with.
 

David Brown

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Geez, I can't believe this is even a problem. Enough light and a good, sharp pair of scissors.
This is another "I can't load steel/plastic reels" thing. Nobody can the first time. Just takes some patience and a little practice.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Sharp scissors and a light box. Never managed to botch a negative yet.
Like David I'm a bit surprised this is even an issue.
 

MattKing

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One of the reasons I like the cutter I recommended is that only one of my two hands is capable of either accurately holding film still or cutting film with scissors

A "guillotine" type cutter solves that problem - my weaker hand is quite capable of handling the blade. A rotary cutter will also work.

The "Dr. T" film cutter adds the translucent base, guides that hold the film straight and distance markers, so it works even better than a plain "guillotine" type cutter, especially with slide film.
 

tron_

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I use my teeth and then cauterize the edges with a torch.

Just kidding, I set the negatives on a white piece of paper, then use my metal scale and x-acto knife.
 

jglass

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I just wonder if dragging the negs through those cutter devices will scratch them (the negatives) in a serious way. Of course, cutting w/ scissors on a light box or white paper presents the same danger in some ways.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Matt, that's a really good point that I did not consider. I actually want to apologize for overlooking the possibility of having a physical impediment to using the tools I am used to. Thanks for the reminder.
 

cliveh

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Like others, I find this post amazing. Without meaning to be personal, perhaps you need reading glasses. This is not a question of kit or special cutting devices, just correct observation and a sharp pair of sissors.
 
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